UN climate chief in Beijing: China's climate leadership is helping accelerate the global energy transition

The following is a transcript of remarks delivered by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, on Thursday 14 May 2026.

Thank you, Professor Li, for your kind introduction.

It is a pleasure to be here at Tsinghua University, which has been so influential in the fight against global heating:

Because this is China's leading institution.

And China is a leader in climate multilateralism - which has roughly halved projected global temperature rise over the past decade.

China was integral to forging the Paris Agreement back in 2015.

And since then, you have been a leading light in its implementation.

You have embraced climate action at home - driving jobs, high living-standards, and economic growth.

China's clean energy transformation has been breathtaking: with investments almost doubling in a decade.

Reaching more than 625 billion dollars in 2024 alone and on course to keep on growing.

That's not just a climate strategy. That's an industrial strategy, a jobs programme, and a development plan.

And it has changed the world.

China's clean energy boom has spurred innovation.

CATL's new EV battery can deliver a 1500km range with a six-minute charge. That could change transport forever.

And it has driven down prices.

Placing in-reach technologies that were previously unaffordable.

For example, in Pakistan - where Chinese technologies have seen a consumer-driven solar surge.

Through South-South cooperation you have supported the transition to clean energy and climate resilience in developing countries all around the world.

And your Belt and Road Initiative has made immense investments.

In short, China has played a major role in getting the global energy transition to a point which is now irreversible - as all nations declared at COP30 in Belém last year.

And now, you face an immense opportunity.

Because our world is changing fundamentally.

Geopolitics is in flux.

A fossil fuel cost crisis is gripping the world, sparked by war in the Middle East.

Oil has surged to over 100 dollars a barrel again in the last week.

And countries are reeling as their economies are buffeted by these wildly swinging prices, and bracing themselves for stagnation:

This is a picture of price volatility. And the carnage it leaves in its wake.

And it's showing governments in real-time, that renewables are essential for energy security, economic stability, and national sovereignty.

Wise long-term vision and investment has helped Chinese renewables protect people from some of the worst effects of the crisis:

Electric vehicles should save you over 28 billion dollars in oil import costs this year alone.

And other nations are taking note.

Demand for your technologies is booming.

For example, this week in Ethiopia, it was announced that billions will be invested by Chinese companies in developing new wind and solar.

This is a moment of real opportunity: politically, commercially, and environmentally.

Because momentum is building to accelerate a just global transition to clean energy and climate resilience.

That would spur sustainable development.

Rapidly expand the vast - and growing - global market for clean and climate resilient technologies.

Cut emissions - particularly from coal, oil and gas.

And avoid the ruinous effects of the out-of-control global heating, which would destroy every economy, without exception.

Decimating global supply chains.

And taking a wrecking-ball to global stability.

It is in every country's interest to seize this moment. For prosperity and for stability.

That requires doubling-down on climate multilateralism.

Building on all it has achieved to date.

And supercharging implementation of the Paris Agreement.

That means ensuring all countries have the finance and fiscal space to embrace climate action.

And it means every nation striving to do more under the Agreement.

In line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances.

We know that China has a record not of just meeting, but exceeding, its targets.

Your 2030 wind and solar capacity targets were met six years early.

You said 20% of new car sales would be electric by 2025. It was 50%.

And now President Xi has said China will strive to do better than the targets in your new national climate plan - or your NDC.

That shows great wisdom and foresight.

Because the further China goes, the faster the clean energy transition accelerates - the greater the benefits to your people and economy.

Where China leads, others follow.

So, we look forward to the next phase of the energy transition - embracing renewables and showing the world what it means to go further and faster on coal.

Those in your region are particularly looking for leadership.

And we urge you to seize the opportunities in this new era of climate multilateralism.

The era of implementation.

To advance the shift to clean energy and resilience around the world.

This is an era to speed-up, and scale-up - rapidly turning global commitments into real-world results.

Critical to this is elevating the Global Climate Action Agenda in our multilateral process, to share centre-stage with the negotiations.

This crucial element of the Paris Agreement brings together governments, companies, innovators, investors and civil society to deliver projects on the ground.

And it has helped mobilise vast sums within the real economy.

Now, we must unleash its full power - in both the global North and global South.

Focusing most immediately on areas of greatest urgency and impact:

On grids and electrification - where more investment is essential to taking us to the next level of the clean energy transition.

Slashing methane - an ultra-potent greenhouse gas.

Building resilient cities and infrastructure - essential in the face of supercharged storms and devastating droughts.

And food security - protecting crop yields from climate shocks, as the war drives fertilizer shortages, threatening millions with acute hunger.

In each of these areas, China is pushing global progress - through the COP30 Methane Summit, the Buildings Breakthrough, Mission Innovation, and the Clean Energy Ministerial.

And farsighted Chinese investment and policy is already paying dividends.

Dividends that can be multiplied:

By maintaining and expanding Chinese leadership at COP31, and in the crucial years leading up to the Second Global Stocktake at COP33.

By continuing to develop affordable solutions.

And by companies and investors coming to COP in Türkiye this year, to secure agreements and partnerships.

Stability, prosperity and security are the prize of an accelerated global shift.

And China's actions will change the world.

In this new era of geopolitics, and new era of climate multilateralism, China's climate leadership is more important than ever.

I thank you.