BEIJING, Aug. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Right after the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, a US media outlet voiced concern that "by 2050 most of the world will be too hot to hold the Olympic Games." With rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, the idea that future Summer Olympics might only be held in the southern hemisphere's winter no longer seems far-fetched. In response to these challenges facing human survival, the world is seeking solutions, and China's latest proposal is "green transition in all areas of economic and social development."
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) proposed a series of goals to further deepen reforms comprehensively, including accelerating a comprehensive green transition in all economic and social sectors. Recently, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have unveiled a set of guidelines to ramp up green transition in all areas of economic and social development (hereinafter referred to as the "guidelines"). It marks China's first systematic national approach to green transition. As the world's second-largest economy with a population of over 1.4 billion, China has proactively proposed this comprehensive green transition after setting "dual carbon" goals. Amid global setbacks in green transformation, increasing politicization of climate issues, and rising green trade barriers, China is providing a crucial piece for the fragmented Blue Planet.
To address climate change, China committed in 2020 to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Four years have passed, and the progress has been remarkable. As of the end of June 2024, the installed capacity of renewable energy reached 1.653 billion kW, accounting for 53.8 percent of the country's total installed capacity. China's combined installed capacity of wind and solar power has surpassed that of its coal power for the first time. Recent international reports highlight China's leading position in wind turbine patent competitiveness. An International Energy Agency report, "Renewables 2023," pointed out that in 2023, China commissioned as much solar PV as the entire world did in 2022. China is steadily fulfilling its commitments to both itself and the world according to its own timeline.
The recently issued guidelines provide a clear timetable, roadmap, and blueprint for green transition, making the development path for "Beautiful China" more specific and comprehensive. For instance, it proposes creating green development hubs in regions such as Xiong'an New Area, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Yangtze River Delta. The plan also aims to integrate green industries with artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and industrial internet to promote digital and green coordinated transition. Additionally, it outlines a systematic approach to "green consumption" by addressing the roles of government, businesses, and consumers. The guidelines have outlined a blueprint for China's green transformation from both the supply side and the demand side. It will also promote China to play a greater role in the global green industry chain.