A Conference in Harbin Highlights Global Cooperation and Innovation

Bronwyn Wake, the chief editor of the journal Nature Climate Change, attended the International Conference on Climate Leadership in Harbin, China. This was her first academic visit to the city, and she was impressed by the professionalism of the Chinese scholars. She noted the strong community of researchers in China dedicated to climate change governance and its economic impacts. Wake expressed her hope for greater Chinese contributions to global cooperation in these areas.

The conference brought together experts from various countries, including the United Kingdom and Spain. Discussions focused on international climate cooperation and low-carbon technological innovation. Wake highlighted that Nature Climate Change publishes research on a wide range of topics, including the climate system, biological science, climate change, and related policies, with significant contributions from Chinese researchers. She emphasized that Chinese scholars are not only advancing domestic climate governance but also offering valuable solutions for global climate change cooperation, forming the basis for effective climate policies.

Wake acknowledged China's important role in international climate negotiations, such as the Paris Agreement, and expressed her hope that China will continue to lead the global climate agenda and support international cooperation.

Kannan Govindan, a professor at the University of Adelaide in Australia, also attended the conference. He highlighted China's thriving renewable energy sector as a crucial element in global climate action. He noted that China's advancements in clean energy technologies, such as solar panels and wind turbines, are reducing global energy production costs and supporting infrastructure development in various countries, thus strengthening supply chain resilience.

Govindan further pointed out that China is also advancing climate-resilient infrastructure through pilot initiatives like eco-cities and sponge cities, which have gained global scholarly attention.

Yuan Jiashuang, deputy director of China's National Climate Center, mentioned China's robust policy framework for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, with tailored implementation plans across various sectors. According to the National Energy Administration, China's installed capacity for wind and solar power generation has significantly increased.

Ma Chaode, assistant resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China, discussed the impacts of climate change on economies and societies. He stated that China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals provide a roadmap for global climate governance. Ma hopes China will continue to exert its influence in technology and funding to help the global community meet carbon emission goals.