Human factors play key role in rising global temperatures: Chinese Prof

She emphasised the importance of recognising our role in climate change and taking action to protect the environment.

Yazhen Gong, also vice-president of the Asian Association of Environmental and Resource Economics, made the remarks while delivering a lecture on 'Carbon Neutrality: Science, Economy and Strategy' at the Multi-Functional Hall in the Diplomatic Residence Compound (DRC), Beijing, on Tuesday.

She said that China is currently the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2), highlighting its crucial role in global climate change mitigation. Prof. Yazhen emphasised that policies and commitments are needed to facilitate decarbonization.

China's emissions surged in 2023, putting the country off track from its goal of reducing carbon intensity by 18% under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). To stay on course for its 2060 carbon neutrality target, CO2 emissions must now drop by 4-6% by 2025.

The Chinese government has taken the following policy measures for achieving the targets.

General Policies:

* Energy conservation law, Renewable energy law, etc.
* NDC
* Domestic legally binding mitigation targets and stocktaking
* 1+N policy directives for carbon peaking

Policy Instruments:

* Energy efficiency standards
* Renewable electricity feed-in tariffs and feed-in premium
* Tax relief for low carbon technology deployment and
* Subsidized interest rate

Besides, China has launched a national carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS), expected to be the world's largest carbon market, to curb climate change effects and to achieve the country's goals of reaching peak emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2060.

Regarding the Paris Agreement, she said energy investment needs for fulfilling the Paris Agreement.

"To limit global warming to 2°C, the global annual energy investment is projected to be around 2.1-4.1 trillion USD from 2016 to 2050. That would increase to 2.4 to4.7 trillion USD, limiting global warming to 1.5°C."

She said that China is committed to following the Paris Agreement goals to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

"Not only the Chinese government but also private sectors are working closely on innovations to reduce the cost of renewable energy," she added.

In response to the question, she said that we need better-educated people with improved job opportunities in urban areas. These individuals would have additional income to support their families and help cope with the impacts of climate change.

"Medication and adaptation are crucial in facing climate change," she added.

In response to the question about how climate change is affecting the ecosystem, Professor Yazhen Gong stated that climate change has exerted significant pressure on ecosystems.

However, the Chinese government has implemented several initiatives to address these challenges.

In addition, with over 30 percent of the country covered by forests and more than 40 percent by grasslands, China's ecosystems have shown signs of improvement.

Regarding China's efforts to support developing countries like Bangladesh in combating climate change, the professor said, "China and developing nations such as Bangladesh can collaborate by sharing knowledge and clean technology in accessible and practical ways, ensuring benefits for all."

The Chinese president firmly believes that China must take action, and hopes other countries will realise that this is a win-win solution for global sustainability, reports UNB.