Shanghai Climate Week aims to forge Asian climate action hub

Shanghai Climate Week 2025, an initiative designed to promote international collaboration and sustainable solutions, began on April 21 at the Shanghai Expo Culture Park in Pudong New Area.

The event convened over 100 representatives from government, academia, business and international organizations to address climate change.

According to Zou Rong, joint director of the Shanghai Climate Week Executive Committee, the event aims to be an "Asian symbol" for climate action, similar to climate weeks in London, New York, and Paris.

He believes that the Shanghai event is uniquely positioned as "the climate action of Asia" and hopes it will "transmit interesting and practical experience that China has to offer and create opportunities for new quality productive forces."

The opening ceremony, themed "Climate Community: Spring", featured a performance by the youth orchestra from NACIS Shanghai, symbolizing the younger generation's commitment to a sustainable future. Speakers, including Sun Jianping, president of the Shanghai Services Federation, and Xiao Lin, director of the Pudong New Area Development and Reform Commission, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts in tackling global climate challenges.

He Kebin, dean of the Institute for Carbon Neutrality at Tsinghua University, praised the event's focus on scientific rigor, societal participation, and global perspectives. Duncan Logan, co-founder of San Francisco Climate Week, expressed his hope for mutual exchange and progress in global climate action.

Tu Guangshao, founding director of the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, delivered a keynote speech advocating for "green finance empowering the low-carbon economy", explaining how financial innovation can direct capital toward low-carbon projects, accelerating industrial transformation and promoting sustainable economic growth.

Several initiatives were launched during the event including preparations for the establishment of the China SME Green and Low-Carbon Work Committee. Ji Feng, director of China International Cooperation Association of SMEs, hopes the committee will "serve and lead more SMEs to strengthen the application of green technologies and help China's SMEs move towards green development."

Plans for the Global Climate Change Youth Congress were also unveiled, encouraging youth participation in climate governance. Hu Haoran, a student from the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, delivered a "Youth Climate Action Declaration", expressing concern for climate change and a desire for a sustainable future.

Furthermore, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Alliance, an initiative led by the World Wildlife Fund, was launched to unite stakeholders across the industrial chain, promoting the research and development, production, certification, and application of green fuels.

The week-long event featured more than 60 programs, including forums, technology exhibitions, and public activities, with a cross-border dialogue bringing together experts from policy, technology, education, art, and public welfare to explore comprehensive solutions to climate change.

Luo Bin contributed to this story.