There’s something new on climate coming out of China

I've just returned from a fascinating week in Beijing, and find myself, as I often do, impressed by the progress China is making on the green transition. As on previous visits, I left inspired by the visible advances in clean power, electric vehicles and climate policy overall, but what was new this time was the sense of a decisive pivot towards truly global leadership on climate action.

For many of us, recent months have been characterised by dispiriting news coverage of climate denial among some of the world's most powerful leaders alongside backsliding on climate action, all while global temperatures rise and climate impacts worsen. Yet, away from this gloomy picture, climate leadership by the Global South, particularly Brazil and China, has been steadily strengthening.

China has long been a global force in the development of clean technology - for anyone who takes the most passing interest in climate policy, that will not be news. In the first half of 2024, China installed 250GW of new solar power, which was double the rest of the world put together. Chinese heavy investment in clean energy and electric vehicles, as well as its growing strength in AI, means it may well continue to be the engine of global economic development for some time to come.

It's genuinely exciting to witness the speed and scale of technological advancements in Chinese cities. Shenzhen is one highlight - having had a fully electric bus and taxi fleet since 2018, it is now pressing ahead with a "super charging city", installing a total of 1,055 supercharging stations in which cars can charge for more than 400 km of range in just 5 minutes - as quick as a petrol pump and much cheaper. Charging stations now outnumber gas stations in the city. This is what the city of the future looks like.

Having established a strong competitive advantage in the key technologies for the green transition, China appears to be stepping into greater diplomatic leadership on climate action. First, there was the robust defence of the Paris Agreement after President Trump announced the US federal government would withdraw from it for the second time, followed by President Xi's address to the UN General Assembly in September, during which he announced China's first-ever absolute emission reduction targets. Whilst the target is far lower than what is needed - between 7% and 10% of China's peak by 2035, compared to the 30% required - China has a history of under-promising and over-delivering.

During my trip to Beijing, I heard these public statements constantly backed up by affirmation by ministers and senior officials that "the green transition is irreversible". Crucially, China appears to be acknowledging that its leadership beyond its own borders is vital for the world to stop climate breakdown and achieve a green transition, and that includes increasing investment and sharing of technical expertise overseas, particularly in the Global South.

This year, seven Chinese delegates are planning to attend C40's World Mayor's Summit. It's a real statement on the level of importance that China is attaching to global climate leadership, especially by cities. It certainly represents a valuable and impactful opportunity for the cross-pollination of ideas, learning, and networking between city leaders and across regions.

Chinese cities have long co-operated across international borders - a standout example being the world's first green shipping corridor between Shanghai and Los Angeles - and now that collaboration is expanding and supporting other cities in the Global South to accelerate their climate action. A case in point is the collaboration between Addis Ababa and Beijing, which resulted in the installation of a 10kw solar power system with battery storage on the rooftops of municipal buildings in Addis Ababa. In this case, Addis Ababa had been looking to replace its diesel generators with solar power for backup electricity, so Beijing shared its experience deploying solar in the building sector. Regional cross-collaborations like this one are on the rise, especially with Southern cities.

Particularly encouraging is China's striking new focus on 'people-centred' action and a Just Transition, which was emphasised by President Xi at the Leaders Meeting on Climate and Just Transition in April this year. This is critical in China, not least because of the 2 million people employed in coal or dependent industries, who will need alternative opportunities as the transition to clean energy gathers pace. A Just Transition is vital to building a green and just future and is certainly a focus for C40's mayors. It is clear we can expect to see much more from China on climate, offering hope in an international landscape that has appeared dark lately.