Climate change accelerated last year, with droughts, floods, and heat waves affecting communities on every continent. It is a major threat to global long-term prosperity.
As the largest developing country, China has become an active participant and important contributor to the global fight against climate change.
International cooperation
China and Germany have maintained close cooperation in confronting global challenges such as climate change.
Within the framework of the Sino-German Cooperation on Climate Change, multiple projects are undergoing in achieving low-carbon economy and green development in China.
Forest in the Greater Khingan range. /CFP
China also promotes a "green" Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It has launched the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development with 31 countries, and established the Belt and Road Energy Partnership with 32 countries, according to the White Paper.
In 2019, China launched BRI International Green Development Coalition, providing a platform for partners to share green and sustainable development concepts and environmental policy options.
Path of green development
China has been making huge strides in shifting from its dependence on coal to renewables for power generation, to achieve the country's "dual carbon" goals and tackle climate change.
China-made photovoltaic modules, wind turbines, gearboxes and other key components accounted for 70 percent of the global market share last year, according to data from the National Energy Administration.
The accelerated development of China's renewable industry is a concrete step in the country's efforts to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Power workers check the operation of the equipment in a photovoltaic power station in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 26, 2023. /CFP
Forests and grasslands are important carbon sinks that absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The country has newly planted forests totaling 3.83 million hectares, and restored 3.21 million hectares of degraded grassland through grass planting in 2022, according to the report from the National Greening Commission.
After decades of afforestation, China has created the world's largest planted forests, with its forest coverage rate more than doubling from 12 percent in the early 1980s to 24.02 percent last year.
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)