The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11-22, reflected the global community’s concerns and expectations on climate change, particularly from developing countries.
As a new year begins, how can developing countries enhance their influence on global climate governance? How is China’s green transformation opening pathways for global development? In the program “East-West Questions: Dialogue Between China and the World,” former UN Deputy Secretary-General Erik Solheim and scholar Wang Binbin discussed China’s efforts to build a green future through cooperation with other countries.
Solheim stated, “Today, solar energy has become a more economical option than coal, so the green development choice is actually reducing costs.” He continued, “Thanks to its excellent systems in this area, China has become a global leader.” According to the International Energy Agency, China exports wind and solar energy products to more than 200 countries and regions worldwide, providing developing countries with clean, reliable, and affordable energy. China’s green solutions have been widely recognized internationally.
Solheim added, “China is a leader in renewable energy and is helping other developing countries accelerate their energy transformation by investing in projects like the Belt and Road Initiative.” China’s investment and cooperation projects in countries like Brazil, Turkey, and Uzbekistan have supported their energy transformations. Wang Binbin pointed out that China has recently started exploring smaller-scale renewable energy projects. Emphasizing China’s “human-centered” approach, Wang highlighted China’s renewable energy assistance in Africa. China provides solar energy systems to address electricity shortages in Africa and supplies specialized devices to areas in need of computers.
Climate change presents a common challenge globally. Strategic partnerships such as South-South cooperation offer significant opportunities for achieving the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Solheim noted that developing countries are increasingly raising their voices on climate change and that South-South cooperation provides a new platform for these nations. Wang stated, “China, as a developing country, has suffered from the impacts of climate change. Under the South-South cooperation framework, all developing countries must take on their historical responsibility in the fight against climate change.”