Reference Message Network reported on June 15 that the Australia East Asia Forum website published an article titled "China's Innovation May Help Lead the World to a Greener Future" on June 12. The author is Yang Muyi, a senior researcher at the UK-based research organization "Unburned Coal". The following are excerpts from the article:

As the efforts of the United States to address climate change during the Trump administration receded, global attention has shifted to other countries including China. This shift has raised key questions about what role China should play on the global stage.

China has the potential to lead the world through innovation. With its vast industrial scale and technological creativity, China has a unique advantage in driving breakthroughs in key emerging clean technologies. These include green hydrogen, negative emissions solutions, and smart grids. They will reshape China's economy and the future of the planet.

A reliable net-zero emission roadmap depends on power grids powered by renewable energy and widespread electrification. Currently, renewable energy generation accounts for approximately 30% of global electricity supply, while electrification meets about 20% of final energy demand. The International Renewable Energy Agency predicts that by 2050, renewable energy will supply 91% of global electricity, meeting more than half of energy needs. This vision is echoed by the International Energy Agency.

However, record-breaking emissions in 2024 highlight the urgency of accelerated action. Scaling up existing solutions is crucial, but relying solely on current technologies may lead to stagnation. The International Energy Agency warns that achieving net-zero emissions requires multiple innovative technologies—especially in managing the long-term variability of renewable energy, electrifying hard-to-abate industries, and addressing residual emissions. These innovative technologies are still under development.

China's industrial and technological advantages may change this situation. Its past achievements serve as proof. From dominating solar panel production to leading battery manufacturing, China has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to transform laboratory-stage technologies into affordable, market-ready solutions.

China is prioritizing economic restructuring to achieve high-quality development, with a focus on high-tech and clean industries.

Early signs are encouraging. The "three new industries" — solar panels, lithium batteries, and electric vehicles — have grown much faster than the overall economy in 2024. However, these bright spots are still insufficient to offset weakness in other areas. In 2023, the new economy accounted for only about 17.4% of GDP, paling in comparison to traditional industries. This also explains why China's 5% growth target still requires short-term stimulus, highlighting the urgency of deeper structural adjustments.

Simply adding weight to existing competitive industries will be difficult to achieve results. The domestic penetration rate of electric vehicles has already exceeded 40%. Although perovskite solar cells and autonomous electric vehicles are expected to bring incremental progress, mature industries cannot replicate the exponential expansion seen in the past.

Breakthroughs in emerging technologies will open up new frontiers for high-value industries, strengthening the cycle of "growth through green development" in China. This dynamic may create sustained momentum for deeper energy transformation.

As China accelerates its energy transition, further development will not only depend on increasing installed capacity of clean electricity but also on building large-scale clean systems, where long-duration energy storage and smart grids will play a key role.

The stakes involved go beyond the economic and climate domains. As countries retreat behind protectionist barriers, the world faces the risk of being divided into opposing camps. This is a dangerous path that weakens collective solutions to climate disasters. However, opportunities that are not yet fully recognized lie within this division. China can position itself as a laboratory for global clean technology cooperation, establishing partnerships that transcend traditional alliances.

China's rise as a clean technology powerhouse has never been about going it alone—it relies on global cooperation. This is precisely the strategic turning point. By strengthening international cooperation in the joint development and scaling up of emerging clean technology solutions under China's leadership, the green transition can be transformed into a common economic mission. The logic is clear: pooled expertise will accelerate R&D, mass production will reduce costs, and diversified supply chains will lower risks.

As the climate crisis intensifies and the deadline for emissions reduction approaches, China will have the opportunity to demonstrate how practical cooperation can drive the global clean technology revolution. In contrast, isolation could undermine progress when unity and cooperation become a matter of survival. (Compiled/Translated by Zhu Jie)

Original Article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7516096128169853480/

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