Event on EU 2040 Climate Target takes place in Beijing
On 14 March, the “Event on EU 2040 Climate Target” took place in Beijing, co-hosted by the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at Tsinghua University (hereinafter referred to as the “ICCSD”) and the Delegation of the European Union to China. The event aimed to have discussions and exchanges on the EU 2040 climate target as proposed by the European Commission.
From the EU side, speakers included Laurent Bardon, First Counsellor for Environment and Climate Action from the EU Delegation to China and Vicky Pollard, Head of Unit in charge of foresight, economic analysis and modelling at the Directorate-General for Climate Action of the European Commission.
From the Chinese side, senior experts and representatives from a number of research institutions and government agencies attended the event, including Liu Yanhua, Former Vice Minister of Ministry of Science and Technology; He Jiankun, Chairman of the Academic Committee of ICCSD; Su Wei, Former Deputy Secretary General of National Development and Reform Commission; Pan Jiahua, Member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Director of the Institute of Eco-civilization Studies and Professor of Economics, Beijing University of Technology; Xu Huaqing, Director General, National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation; and Peng Tao, Deputy Director General, Counsellors’ Office of the State Council. The event was moderated by Zhang Jian, Vice President of ICCSD.
European Union, 2024
In his opening remarks, Professor Li Zheng, President of ICCSD, introduced the background and the aim of the exchange. He pointed out that in the spirit of the UAE Consensus and the proposed series of global targets, the climate targets and actions of China and the EU have drawn attentions and bore expectations of all. Li Zheng introduced China’s solid actions and substantive contributions in tackling global climate change and gave a brief overview on EU’s ambitions and actions in the field of climate. In his view, EU’s new proposed 2040 target has provided a reference and inspiration for other countries. He expressed a hope that through an in-depth look into the logic and considerations underpinning the new target, it can deepen the understanding of Chinese experts on EU climate policies and continue promoting EU-China bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the field of climate.
European Union, 2024
Laurent Bardon indicated that EU’s 2040 climate target is sending an important signal that EU will continue its policies of proactively tackling climate change. Europe is the continent that is undergoing fastest warming, which is the internal driver for Europe to address climate change. Rising energy prices caused by energy crises have also firmed EU’s determination to significantly develop its renewables and increase energy efficiency: EU CO2 emissions dropped significantly in 2023, despite the fears in the autumn of 2022. We should expect the EU’s determination and ambition to stay rock solid. On the side of China, the EU is amazed by the speed at which solar and wind capacities are being built up, and welcomes the forthcoming extension of the compulsory carbon market to more sectors, but remains concerned by the permitting of new coal-fired power plants well beyond what is necessary and economically viable. Laurent Bardon stressed that the EU hopes to continue carrying out always more in-depth exchanges with partners including China on the issues of climate targets, deployment of renewables, carbon markets and new power plants & the investment.
European Union, 2024
Hou Fang, Director, Division of International Cooperation, conveyed Director General Xia Yingxian’s congratulations and appreciations for the event. She said that EU and China have released joint statements several times and have remained close exchanges and communications on the issue of climate change. Exchanges on the newly released recommended 2024 reduction target by the European Commission would greatly help China to understand EU’s climate target and its formulation, learn from EU’s experience and formulate its own climate target.
European Union, 2024
Vicky Pollard offered a detailed overview on EU’s recommended 90% reduction target for 2040, mainly covering three areas: background of the target, impact assessment and policy framework. Vicky Pollard pointed out that EU remains active in tackling climate change and has released a series of important policies. She shared the background and the detail underlining the 2040 target and further introduced the analysis and assessment and the results behind the target. She also explained the assessment in terms of investment costs, carbon capture and carbon removals. She presented the required policy framework to deliver the 2040 target, including an economy that delivers for the people, a decarbonized energy system, an industrial decarbonzation deal, land, food and bioeconomy and a comprehensive investment agenda.
Chinese and European experts carried out broad, in-depth and comprehensive exchanges. After the event, both sides spoke very high of the exchanges and discussions.
European Union, 2024
European Union, 2024
European Union, 2024