Vice-premier calls for building green, low-carbon future at COP28 events

Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang addresses the Group of 77 and China Leaders' Summit, which is held during the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Dec 2, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang has called on developed countries to beef up financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing nations amid the global crisis of climate change.

Ding, who is President Xi Jinping's special representative, emphasized the importance of multilateralism in coping with global warming, and noted China's solidarity with other developing countries in the face of climate challenges.

He made the remarks while addressing events during the ongoing 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP28, in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

The annual UN gathering started on Thursday and is scheduled to last until Dec 12.

While addressing the World Climate Action Summit on Friday, Ding conveyed Xi's good wishes for the UAE in hosting the summit.

He said that eight years ago, President Xi worked with leaders of other countries to reach the Paris Agreement with the utmost political determination and wisdom, and embarked on a new journey of global cooperation to address climate change.

As a major responsible developing country, China stands ready to work with all parties to build a clean and beautiful world, Ding said. He added that mankind shares a common destiny in the face of the challenges of climate change, and all parties should strengthen their determination and capacity to jointly address it.

China has always kept its promise and made important contributions to global climate governance, Ding said. The country has vigorously promoted international cooperation on green development, energy revolution and climate change, and has supported developing countries in enhancing their capacity to cope with climate change.

He called on parties to practice multilateralism, adhere to the goals and principles set out in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its 2015 Paris Agreement, enhance solidarity and cooperation, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

The vice-premier also called on nations to accelerate green transformation, actively increase the proportion of renewable energy, promote the clean, low-carbon and efficient use of traditional energy, and accelerate the formation of green and low-carbon production methods and lifestyles.

Parties should strengthen implementation of actions and fully honor commitments, he said. In particular, developed countries should effectively increase financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries to turn vision into reality.

In his speech to the Group of 77 and China Leaders' Summit on Saturday, Ding said China is ready to work closely with other developing countries to build a green and low-carbon future.

In recent years, China has actively yet prudently promoted the targets of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and realizing carbon neutrality before 2060, Ding said.

While fulfilling its international obligations, China has made efforts to help other developing countries cope with climate change, he added.

Noting that there is still a long way to go to improve global climate governance, Ding called on the G77 and China to further speak with one voice and uphold common interests.

He also called on parties concerned to jointly promote sustainable development, strengthen the synergy of green transformation development strategies, boost mutual assistance and explore a new path of coordination between development and protection.

In addition, he called for jointly promoting equity and justice, working together to make substantive progress in implementing climate funding and forming a framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation, and giving full play to the role of the newly established Loss and Damage Fund.

Xinhua contributed to this story.