China plays major role in global climate affairs

China is a critical force in the global energy transition and its involvement in international climate talks is essential, the head of the United Nations’ climate science panel said last weekend.

Jim Skea, chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, made the remarks ahead of the release of its findings from its 62nd plenary session, which concluded on Saturday in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

Skea emphasized China’s leading role in deploying renewable energy, noting it has the world’s highest levels of solar and wind energy.

“Without China’s participation, global efforts would be much less effective,” Skea said, highlighting the country’s importance in discussions under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

The weeklong session focused on outlining reports for the IPCC’s seventh assessment cycle, covering the physical science of climate change, its impacts, adaptation, vulnerability and mitigation, as well as greenhouse gas inventories.

The Hangzhou meeting stressed the importance of integrating climate action with economic growth and improved quality of life.

“The idea of improving people’s well-being and quality of life is not opposed to taking climate change action. They actually go together,” Skea said.

He praised China’s advancements in climate monitoring technologies, including early warning systems and meteorological satellites, which are crucial for tracking climate conditions, greenhouse gas emissions and socioeconomic changes, particularly in developing nations.

Xiong Shaoyuan, deputy head of China’s delegation, said the nation will collaborate with other countries to build early warning platforms and share its experiences in meteorological services.

Established in 1988, the IPCC provides scientific information to governments on climate change. For its current cycle, the IPCC will focus on climate change in urban areas and carbon dioxide removal technologies, including carbon capture, utilization and storage. The first meeting on urban climate change will be held from March 10 to 14 in Osaka, Japan, Skea said. MDT/China Daily