KPL
China is pursuing an ambitious strategy to achieve carbon neutrality while sustaining economic growth, according to Professor Yazhen Gong of Renmin University of China, who outlined the country's climate policies and global environmental vision during an academic lecture.
Professor Gong said the international debate on climate change continues to highlight differing priorities between developed and developing countries. Many developing nations argue that industrialized economies, having contributed the majority of historical greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution, should bear greater responsibility for reducing emissions and providing financial and technological support to poorer countries.
She noted that climate adaptation remains essential as countries face increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Measures such as building sea walls, improving water management, adopting drought-resistant crops and strengthening disaster resilience are becoming increasingly important. However, adaptation alone is insufficient to address climate change, she said, warning that global temperatures have already risen by about 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Exceeding 2 degrees Celsius could trigger irreversible environmental consequences.
Professor Gong explained that global warming is driven primarily by human activities, particularly emissions of carbon dioxide from industry and energy production, methane from agriculture and livestock, and other greenhouse gases. While natural factors such as solar variation also influence the climate, their impact is significantly smaller than that of human-induced emissions.
She said China's rapid economic development since the launch of its reform and opening-up policy in 1979 transformed major coastal cities, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Beijing, into economic powerhouses. However, the concentration of development along the coast has also increased the country's vulnerability to rising sea levels and other climate-related risks.
Professor Gong highlighted the Paris Agreement as the foundation of the current global climate governance framework. Under the agreement, countries submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years outlining their climate commitments. International cooperation also includes climate finance, technology transfer, capacity building and support for sustainable development.
China's climate strategy is centered on its "Dual Carbon" goals: reaching peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
To achieve these targets, China is accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, with the goal of increasing the share of non-fossil energy to 25 percent of total primary energy consumption by 2030. The country is also promoting low-carbon industries, energy-efficient buildings, green transportation, and cleaner manufacturing.
In addition, China is expanding forests and wetlands to increase natural carbon absorption while investing in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to reduce emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors. Public awareness campaigns are also encouraging environmentally friendly lifestyles and sustainable consumption.
Professor Gong said achieving carbon neutrality requires balancing economic development with environmental protection through innovation, international cooperation and long-term policy planning.
She concluded that China's approach demonstrates how economic growth and climate action can advance together while contributing to global efforts to address climate change.
KPL
