China is working hard to reduce its carbon emissions and slow climate change

The world is looking toward Glasgow, Scotland, hoping to see solidarity on climate. As a responsible major country, China is actively involved in climate governance and has outlined ambitious national climate plans, aiming to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

It will take the United States 43 years to reach carbon neutrality from when its carbon emissions peaked in 2007. China has set a target of reaching carbon neutrality in 30 years, with specific working guidance and an action plan.

Doing this as a developing country means paying a high price. China's carbon intensity in 2020 dropped by 48.4% from the 2005 level, higher than America’s reduction. China produces more wind and solar energy than any other nation and is the world's leader in investments in renewable energy. China has been the world's leader in efforts to add forests in the past 20 years, planting billions of trees.

An important principle in addressing climate change is common but differentiated responsibilities, which necessitate the consideration of populations and historical responsibility of various countries. Although China is the biggest emitter, its per capita emission is much less than the U.S. rate.

Many people think China relies too much on coal, but there is a historical reason for our reliance on coal. The country has rich coal reserves but limited oil and natural gas, so by the 1950s, the vast majority of its energy was generated by burning coal.

However, China has not evaded its responsibilities but has worked hard to reduce coal emissions. It is putting a tight control over new coal-fired projects, phasing out outdated coal-fired capacity and promoting the use of cleaner coal.

Thanks to such efforts, coal as a share of total energy consumption in China dropped to 59% in 2018 from the 2005 level of 72.4%. Our reliance on coal will be further reduced as coal consumption peaks in the next few years.

China has also announced that it will no longer build new coal-fired power projects in other countries.

By 2025, the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption will increase to around 20%, and carbon dioxide emission per unit of gross domestic product will decrease by 18% compared with 2020.

To meet the targets we set for ourselves, we must go for green and low-carbon development, promote technological innovation and application, and develop clean energy and renewable energy. China's capacities of hydropower, wind power, photovoltaic power, solar power and nuclear power all rank first in the world. Electricity generated from clean energy is expected to become China’s main source of power by 2060.

It is no small feat to address climate change. Countries should assume their respective responsibilities and leave a clean and beautiful world to future generations.

Liu Pengyu is minister-counselor and spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the United States.