The UN Climate Change Conference, or COP26, in Glasgow, United Kingdom, started with extreme hype and the slogan, “it is last best hope” to tackle climate change. People are looking toward the leaders; and how they can turn this hope into reality. However, the tune of the conference does not correspond with people’s expectations.
It is extremely shocking to note that leaders who delivered speeches at COP26 are not in the mood to act according to their status or responsibility. It seems they are only interested in delivering lectures and shifting the actions to someone else.
The developed world is not ready to shoulder its historical responsibility, with some pushing poor and vulnerable countries to do more. They are offering peanuts in support to shift the burden and divert attention from their annual financing commitment of $100 billion, which they made many years ago.
Simultaneously, the Western world, along with their partners and allies, are looking for scapegoats for their inaction and inability to act. They have made China a scapegoat, and Western media has launched a malicious campaign against the country. However, data analysis shows that China’s per capita emissions have been far lower historically, compared to those of the developed world.
United States President Joe Biden has forged a partnership with some countries to criticize China. Biden also unnecessarily criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping for not attending COP26. He tried to accuse China but refused to give any concrete timeline for the US to go for green development or reduction of greenhouse-gas, or GHG, emissions.
Regardless, facts tell us a different story. Despite its minimum role in climate change, China is striving hard to contribute in the fight against global warming.
First, the major transformation of the Chinese economy happened after the nation joined the World Trade Organization. When China joined the WTO in 2001, its GDP was only $1.3 trillion and the nation was in the 6th place globally. Besides, it is a well-established fact that climate change was a major concern well before 2000.
Second, during the last forty years China substantially enhanced its forest areas. The total forest area of China was 12 percent in 1978, but it now stands at 23.4 percent. It means China added 11.4 percent to total forest area, equivalent to
1.1 million square kilometers.
Also, it has been pointed out that during the last two decades China’s contribution to global greening is about 25 percent. It is pertinent to mention here that forests play a leading role in capturing carbon from the atmosphere. So, China is at the forefront to create a huge sink of carbon.
Third, China has been busy establishing protected areas to conserve its biodiversity. President Xi has announced earlier that China has designated the Three-River-Source National Park, the Giant Panda National Park, the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, the Hainan Tropical Forests National Park, and the Wuyishan National Park, as its first batch of protected areas.
Fourth, China is tirelessly working to reduce GHG emissions from different sources. China is leading the world to reduce energy intensity. During 2011-20, the nation reduced energy intensity by 28.7 percent per capita of GDP. The share of coal in the energy mix decreased from 72.4 percent in 2005 to 56.8 percent in 2020, and the contribution of non-fossil fuels is rising in the national energy mix.
Besides, China, under the vision of eco-civilization and high-quality development, is transforming the whole economic, social and environment structure of the country. Eco-civilization is a core ingredient of all milestones, policies and visions. China has a special bond with the concept, as ancient Chinese philosophers, such as Confucius and Lao Tzu, were the first to talk about it.
In modern times, Xi is championing the cause. Under his leadership, China has launched the 14th Five-Year plan and has committed to reduce carbon emission intensity by 18 percent till 2025. China will also be enhancing the role of Eco-Industrial Parks, focusing on resource efficiency, minimizing waste and championing green development.
A Three-dimensional Transport Network is another major initiative by China to move toward the building of an ecological civilization. It has been designed to modernize and build a modern supply chain according to the principles of eco-civilization.
Xi is also putting a lot of emphasis on the digital economy to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint.
The president is focusing on policies, legislation and tools to implement environment-friendly development plans. He believes that without strong policies and laws, the objectives of eco-friendly development cannot be achieved.
In a nutshell, China has contributed more than its share, even though it does not have any historical burden or responsibility. Xi, meanwhile, is asking the world community to join hands to combat the challenge because he is convinced that the world is a community with a shared future.
Despite all these efforts, China still faces criticism. It is interesting to note that the countries that are criticizing China are those that are the major polluters and are not doing enough. The real motive of the campaign is to contain China.
China should not be bothered much by these campaigns and should keep working on its goal of eco-civilization and help other countries, especially the poor and less developed nations. The good thing is that China is already helping other countries through South-South cooperation.
China has also expanded its green cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative to contribute to sustainable development goals. A special forum was launched under the name of Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition to facilitate a green transition through the BRI. So, it can be hoped that China will continue to play its role for a beautiful world and a community with a shared future.
Meanwhile, China also needs help from friends to further accelerate its efforts for green development and a green planet. It is a huge task and China alone cannot complete the task. It needs support from friends to refute propaganda, so that it can concentrate on the real work.
The author is CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.