On October 21, the inaugural ceremony of the “Peking University-Paris Political University Climate Week – A Special Presentation for the 60th Anniversary of China-France Diplomatic Relations” was held in Beijing. Nicolas Pillerel, Cultural, Educational, and Scientific Counsellor at the French Embassy in China, addressed the audience with a pressing message. “Carbon emissions, climate change, and environmental protection have always been key areas of focus in Sino-French cooperation. Climate issues, being global in nature, require a collective global response.”
Pillerel emphasized that tackling climate change is a collective responsibility that requires participation from all sectors of society, including governments and businesses. He affirmed France’s support for various environmental initiatives put forth by China and noted the importance of the climate week in opening a new chapter in Sino-French climate cooperation and fostering future partnerships.
Laurent Bardon, a senior counselor for climate action and environmental affairs at the EU Delegation to China, also shared his insights. “Climate change is a global, systemic issue that is quite complex and will impact politics, economics, and trade,” he stated. He highlighted that both China and the EU have ambitious carbon neutrality goals, with China aiming for peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, while the European Commission has set a target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 1990 levels by 2040, paving the way for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Bardon called for the establishment of mechanisms to address the climate crisis and urged nations worldwide to produce reports related to climate change and carbon neutrality. “China and the EU are two major powers on the Eurasian continent, promoting multipolarity and supporting globalization,” he stated. “How they coexist and cooperate will impact the prosperity of Eurasia and the trajectory of the global landscape.”
He further added, “China and the EU are interdependent and need to enhance mutual understanding through communication and collaboration.”
In terms of actionable initiatives, he pointed out that in 2023, China accounted for over half of the world’s newly installed renewable energy capacity, with total installations nearing 40% of the global share. By July 2024, installed renewable energy capacity in China reached 1.68 billion kilowatts, with wind and solar combined contributions topping 1.206 billion kilowatts.
Speaking on the responsibilities of China and France in combating climate change, Xia Yingxian, Director of the Department of Climate Change Response in China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, highlighted the significance of Sino-French collaboration in this field. He noted that their joint efforts particularly reinforced global commitments, as seen in the adoption of the Paris Agreement during the 21st UN Climate Change Conference, establishing a framework for global climate response post-2020.
Xia urged nations to adhere to and implement the objectives and principles outlined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, accelerating multilateral processes and deepening international cooperation to tackle the global climate crisis effectively and promote a green low-carbon transition.
With 2024 marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, this month also launched the China-France Environment Month. The climate week carries the theme “Under the Same Sky,” aiming to deepen consensus and enhance cooperation in climate matters, contributing innovative mechanisms to global climate governance.
Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO’s East Asia Regional Office, remarked on the historical depth of Sino-French relations. “Cooperation between China and France in renewable energy technology innovation and sustainable development policies will drive global progress,” he said, emphasizing the critical role of youth in global climate action. He highlighted that qualities such as patience, creativity, and determination inherent to youth will be essential for building a better world.
To foster global governance, Khan advocated for developing a generation of young people with climate awareness and environmental responsibility, empowering them to tackle future challenges and amplifying their voices in decision-making processes.
This climate week is jointly organized by Peking University’s Carbon Neutrality Research Institute and the Environmental Transformation Institute of Paris Political University.
