This autumn, global attention is focused on Kunming and Glasgow; with China hosting the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity (COP15) last month, and now the U.K. welcoming the countries of the world to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this week.
These two events coinciding is a once in a generation opportunity to get the world back on track to address the enormous threat of climate change and biodiversity loss. It is also a demonstration of the vital leadership role that both the U.K and China have in addressing the climate emergency that humanity is facing.
The U.K. has demonstrated its support for China’s COP15. We had the strongest presence of any country, including an appearance and speech from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Both Prince Charles and President Xi made critical points around the need to protect and live in harmony with nature.
The challenge posed by climate change is huge. But we know what we need to do; because China, the U.K. and the global community have already agreed on what we’re aiming for. In 2015, the world signed the Paris Agreement, an international deal to tackle the climate crisis. That agreement commits us to limit global temperature rises to well below two degrees, aiming for 1.5 degrees, because the science tells us that would avoid the worst effects of climate change.
However, since these targets were set, not nearly enough has been done. Estimates are that even if countries keep to their current emissions reduction targets, we are still on course for average temperature rises of 2.4 degrees.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. In the U.K., we are seriously concerned about the increased risks from flooding and extreme weather. I know that the Chinese people too were tragically affected by extreme weather events this year. Climate change is not simply a threat to future generations; it is a live issue affecting peoples’ lives in the here and now.
The recovery from Covid-19 presents us with a huge opportunity to reimagine our economies; and build a better future through green jobs.
Over the past 30 years the U.K. has achieved the fastest decarbonization rate in the G-20 (44%) whilst growing our GDP by 78%. The U.K. and China can work together to make the case globally that greening our economies is not only the right thing to do for humanity, but also makes sound economic sense. As I said in my speech at China International Fair for Trade in Services, climate change could be the greatest commercial opportunity of all time. Global trade in low-carbon goods and services is expected to grow to over £5 trillion by 2050.
All of this is what makes the United Nations COP26 climate conference in Glasgow so critical.
The U.K, China and the global community must unite behind four key goals this COP26.
First, we must work globally to put the world on a path to driving down emissions, until they reach net zero by the middle of this century. The U.K. and China must show leadership on this, and push for action on the most polluting sectors of our economies. The U.K. welcomes President Xi’s commitment to stop building new coal projects abroad. If we are serious about the Paris Agreement goals, Glasgow must be the moment we consign coal power to history, and signal the end to polluting vehicles.
China’s expertise on this will be crucial — and its commercial relationship with the U.K. is key. China is already the world’s largest electric vehicle market — the cost of electric vehicles is falling rapidly, in large part thanks to China’s innovation in the sector. On offshore wind, the U.K. is home to the largest global market and has welcomed Chinese investment into this sector. The U.K. continues to partner with China to encourage growth of the domestic wind industry.
Our second goal is to protect people and nature from the worst effects of climate change. The climate crisis is already with us and we must build flood defences, warning systems and other vital measures to minimize, avert and address the damage caused by climate change.
The U.K.’s work with China under the Newton Fund is developing cutting edge techniques for simulating the future climate, building our understanding of future extreme weather scenarios. This helps the U.K. and China, and ultimately the global community manage risks, and predict events like typhoons up to a year in advance.
Our third goal is finance, without which the task ahead is near impossible. Developed countries must deliver the $100 billion a year they promised to support developing countries. The U.K. is leading by example, having committed £11.6 billion between 2021 and 2025.
We must also make finance easier to access and increase the sums available to protect people and nature. The U.K. and China have maintained long-standing partnerships on green finance since 2015, supported by the vice-premier level U.K. China Economic and Financial Dialogue. At the 10th Dialogue the U.K and China reiterated their recognition of each other as their primary partner in green finance, and capital raising.
Fourth, we must work together to deliver on these goals. That includes building consensus among governments. We must bring businesses and civil society on board behind our COP26 goals, and build international collaboration in critical sectors. Our engagement with 200-plus Chinese businesses in the run up to COP26 has led to four major Chinese companies joining the U.N.’s Race to Zero Initiative.
Collaboration between China and the U.K on climate change already showcases some of the best achievements of our bilateral relationship.
Last month saw the 50th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China taking up the Chinese seat at the U.N. Both of our countries occupy a position of responsibility in the multilateral system; and we must therefore show leadership. The U.N.’s COP26 is the best opportunity we’ve had in a generation to do so. The world hopes to see the highest levels of leadership and commitment possible from China.
Caroline Wilson is the British ambassador to China.
The views and opinions expressed in this opinion section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the editorial positions of Caixin Media.
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