Environment

China’s most important political meetings show the need for a balancing act between economic growth and emissions control, write Lin Zi and Cui Qiwen for China Dialogue The foundation for China’s sustained economic recovery and growth is not solid enough,” stated Premier Li Qiang in the government’s work report published on 5 March. The report is the central part of China’s “Two Sessions” meetings. Delivered by the premier, it outlines …

The news that 2024 was the first year that global warming exceeded 1.5℃ for the entire year is yet another reminder of the need to enable a low-carbon future, and new energy solutions are at the centre of this necessary transition. The governments of the UK and China have set ambitious net zero goals, and companies in both countries have been working hard to achieve them across fields from renewable …

Energy transition expert Kou Jingna, writing for China Dialogue, explores the low-carbon marathon being run in China’s steelmaking powerhouse, Shanxi province In September 2020, China declared its intention to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060 – the “dual carbon” goals. Key to hitting these targets is transforming the iron and steel sector, which emits the most carbon of China’s manufacturing sectors – and approximately …

In some cities, parcels are being moved around by subway to reduce emissions, but for inter-city freight, low-carbon approaches are still lacking, writes Xia Zhijian for China Dialogue Swaying at the back of a subway train on Beijing’s Line 9, two China Post personnel in yellow and blue overalls hold on to a green trolley full of parcels. A few passengers are seated in front of them in the nearly …

China is still providing support for electric vehicles, but the policies are shifting from carrot to stick, writes Gao Baiyu for China Dialogue The electric vehicle (EV) sector in China, as elsewhere, has benefitted from government support in its early phase as an up-and-coming green industry. The government has been subsidising producers of EVs for public transport, taxis and the consumer market since 2009. Moreover, EV consumers in China have …

While China will come under international pressure on ‘loss and damage’ at COP28, there is still potential for climate cooperation with the US and contributions to the global emission-reduction agenda, writes Lin Zi for China Dialogue The COP28 UN climate conference, taking place from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai, will bring countries together to discuss measures to reduce warming emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. …

Renewable energy projects have yet to appear in droves as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, but new coal power projects have largely been halted, writes You Xiaoying from China Dialogue Developing countries have a “huge interest” in Chinese companies and institutions helping with their green energy development, experts have told China Dialogue. But there has yet to be a surge of renewable energy projects finalised under the Belt …

Global affairs writer and researcher Timothy van Gardingen explores China’s major role in the world’s renewable energy infrastructure At the 75th General Assembly of the UN, China announced that it was committing to reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. President Xi Jinping called for all countries to commit to innovative green development, stating that exploiting the environment with little concern for conservation was no longer …

Environmental organisations still struggle to get their message across, and mass produced Chinese products such as instant noodles are a large part of the problem – and yet some real progress is being made in the cosmetics industry, writes China Dialogue’s Niu Yuhan “Remember recently you got in the habit of checking the list of contents whenever you buy something? Thanks to that little act of yours, nature is already …

Despite global layoffs, green employment is rising following China’s carbon neutrality pledge, writes Jiang Mengnan for China Dialogue Around the world, tech and finance companies have been laying staff off. In 2022, tech firms’ payrolls fell by 164,000 employees, with a further 166,000 jobs cut in the first quarter of 2023, according to tracking platform Layoffs.fyi. In China, youth unemployment is also rising, hitting 20% this April. And yet for …