Experts praise China's green transition

China is taking strides in green transition and climate governance, aiming for global sustainability in the midst of record-breaking global temperatures and an increase in extreme weather events, experts said.

They said China is making significant efforts in industrial and energy restructuring, with a strong focus on developing renewable energy, under its commitment to promoting a green and low-carbon economic transformation through market-driven approaches.

The moves effectively enhanced the country's climate governance capabilities to actively contribute to addressing global climate change and pursuing sustainable development, they added.

The remarks were made on Saturday during the 2nd International Summit on Meteorological Economy, a sub-forum at the ongoing 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing.

Petteri Taalas, the secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said China has played a vital role in meteorology and climate-related initiatives. "Chinese measurements and satellites are pivotal in advancing early warning services (EWS), monitoring greenhouse gases, sources and sinks, as well as tracking methane and nitrous oxide emissions," he said.

"China has emerged as one of the global leaders in meteorology. The country boasts modern satellite programs, modern observational systems, and high-computing resources. Moreover, China has actively engaged in personnel training and fostered international collaborations," said Taalas.

Taalas further praised China's well-established system for addressing climate change-induced risks, emphasizing the need for swift actions, evacuation procedures, and property protection. "We are happy to see China sharing its expertise and experience with other countries," he added.

Chen Zhenlin, head of the China Meteorological Administration, said July of this year marked the hottest month on record, and the Earth experienced the warmest 30 months in recorded history. Climate change looms as an imminent threat to humanity, and an increasing number of countries and individuals recognize that adapting to and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change will be a major challenge in the future.

Chen said as the consumption of traditional energy sources inevitably contributes to climate change, the development of new energy sources has become an indispensable path to addressing global resource crisis and climate change issues.

Chen emphasized the close connection between meteorology and energy, highlighting that extreme weather events can impact energy supply security, while use of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power are constrained by weather and climate conditions. He noted that China's pursuit of new energy development presents unprecedented opportunities for the country's meteorological sector to support the growth of the energy industry, providing a vast platform for meteorology to empower high-quality economic and social development.