Climate change is not just a challenge in the future but has already become a dangerous reality today, threatening the wellbeing of future generations and human survival. President Xi Jinping declared China’s determined efforts to achieve peak carbon by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 at the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2020, and emphasized China’s acceleration towards low-carbon innovations.
Mr Xie Zhenhua, China’s climate envoy, shared his insights at the webinar and presented China’s roadmap and policies on achieving those goals. In addition, three internationally renowned experts including former US Special Envoy for Climate Change Mr. Todd Stern, Chairman of the UK Energy Transitions Commission Lord Adair Turner, joined Mr Xie in a panel discussion to explore the development of a fair, practical and mutually beneficial global climate management system. Link to Webinar highlights.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Mr Xie Zhenhua
China Special Envoy on Climate Change
Vice Chairperson, China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development
Born in Tianjin in 1949, Mr Xie Zhenhua has served as Administrator of National Environmental Protection Agency, Minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration, Vice Chairman (Minister level) of the National Development and Reform Commission of China from 1993. Mr Xie was appointed as Vice Chairperson of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development in 1998; Special Representative for Climate Change Affairs of China, and Vice-Chairman of Committee on Population, Resources and Environment of the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in 2015; China Special Envoy on Climate Change in 2021. Dedicating himself to climate change and environmental protection work for decades, Mr Xie has played a key role in climate change policymaking and implementation in China. Having served as Head of the Chinese delegation of Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for over 10 years, Mr Xie led the negotiations on China’s accession to the Paris Agreement. He is committed to promoting international cooperation in tackling the climate crisis, and facilitated the signing of China-U.S. Joint Statement Addressing the Climate Crisis.