Su Wei, former deputy secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission, addresses Guanghua School of Management's 25th annual New Year's Forum at Peking University, Jan. 7, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Guanghua School of Management]

Green and low-carbon transformation serves as a pivotal driver in the pursuit of high-quality development in China, according to Su Wei, former deputy secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and China's chief negotiator in climate talks. Su made these remarks during Guanghua School of Management's 25th annual New Year's Forum at Peking University on Jan. 7.

His statement echoes the recent Central Economic Work Conference, which underscored the need to further strengthen ecological conservation and pursue green and low-carbon development. Emphasizing the importance of working actively and prudently toward the goals of carbon emissions peaking and carbon neutrality, the conference called for the acceleration of the planning and development of a system for new energy sources, conserving resources of all types and using them efficiently, and ensuring greater security of energy and resources.

"Achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality represents a broad and profound systemic transformation of the economic and social system, with a focus on the green and low-carbon development of energy," Su said.

"The pathway involves expeditiously shaping an industrial structure, production methods, lifestyles and spatial layout that conserve resources and protect the environment," he added. "This will undoubtedly provide new momentum for promoting high-quality development that prioritizes ecology and fosters a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in the modern era."

Su outlined 10 key initiatives to fully unleash the potential and impact of these new forces. These include the development of green and low-carbon energy, the promotion of circular economy practices, and the optimization and upgrading of industries.

Furthermore, he stressed the need to expedite key projects for the protection and restoration of significant ecological systems, such as bolstering surveys and monitoring of ecosystems and researching the establishment of a comprehensive carbon sink monitoring and accounting system.

Beyond domestic efforts, Su emphasized the importance of constructing a fair, just, cooperative and win-win global climate governance system. He called for advancing crucial multilateral processes such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and strengthening the effective implementation of conventions and the Paris Agreement. 

Su also highlighted the significance of cooperation in green economic, technological and financial areas, and urged the accelerated development of the Belt and Road Initiative to support the transition to low-carbon energy in developing countries.