Since 2025, the global climate change issue has entered a new phase in terms of urgency and complexity. A preliminary study estimates that more than 15,000 deaths in major European cities this summer can be attributed to climate change, mainly due to record-breaking heat in most countries. At the same time, the promotion of green technology still faces structural challenges—geopolitical competition in supply chains, the concentration of key minerals, and some countries restarting fossil energy due to energy security pressures have made the tension between "pollution reduction" and "carbon reduction" increasingly prominent.
From November 5 to 10, Shanghai hosted the eighth International Import Expo, which provided an entity platform for focusing on cooperation and solutions within this complex landscape. It not only concentrated on showcasing leading global green technologies and low-carbon solutions but also became a microcosm for observing how countries explore practical cooperation paths under the pressure of energy security, technological competition, and supply chain issues. Meanwhile, from November 10 to 21, the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Brazil, while the U.S. government announced it would not send senior officials to attend.
How can developed countries fulfill their long-delayed financial and technological commitments? How can we ensure the clean electrification of power structures while the high-speed development of emerging energy-consuming industries such as artificial intelligence and data centers continues? Some countries use the name of "just transition" to implement trade protectionism; how can international cooperation transcend zero-sum games?
More importantly, has the green transition truly ensured that no one is left behind? How should we build a more inclusive governance framework? In this context, China's role in the global green transition is undoubtedly becoming increasingly critical.
For this, Observers Network interviewed Erik Solheim, former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, to listen to his thoughts on crisis, cooperation, and solutions.
[Interview/Observer Net, Zheng Lehuan]
Observer Net: Mr. Solheim, your first visit to China was in 1984. After 41 years, China has undergone a complete transformation. Can you share your observations? What aspects do you find most impressive in China's development over several decades?
Erik Solheim: I would say it's a comprehensive transformation over 41 years, and there has never been a society of comparable scale that has changed so rapidly. Countries like South Korea and Singapore, although smaller in size, have experienced similar transformations, but none have reached the scale of China.
In 1984, when I first came to China, there were almost no private cars, no skyscrapers, and no high-speed railways, even in big cities. People dressed modestly, all in blue-gray uniforms. Southerners ate rice, northerners ate noodles, and meat and other side dishes were far less abundant than today—China at that time was a completely different country.
This economic transformation in China can be divided into two stages. The first stage focused almost entirely on economic growth to eliminate poverty. The second stage shifted to high-quality development, i.e., green development—solving environmental problems while continuing development.
Today, China has become one of the most modern countries in the world. The modernization level of cities like Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Shanghai is a global model. Living standards have significantly improved, and China's life expectancy now exceeds that of the United States—a complete transformation. The older generation remembers the old China, while many Chinese youths can hardly imagine what the country looked like decades ago.
Certainly, regional disparities still exist—provinces like Guangdong and Jiangsu are more developed compared to western provinces. But even in the poorest areas of China, changes are profound. I recently visited Guizhou, which is still a less developed province, but its spectacular road network is well connected, high-speed rail connects all cities, and the number of bridges is the highest in the world. Therefore, even areas that have not reached the level of Shanghai or Shenzhen have achieved significant progress.
The crowds riding bicycles on the streets of Beijing in the 1980s.
If I had to choose a model, I think Shenzhen left an impression on me that I will never forget. When reform and opening-up began in 1978, it was just a fishing village with almost nothing. Throughout history, no city has ever risen so quickly. Now, this city with a population of 17 million has become one of the most modern cities in the world, rivaled only by Silicon Valley in high-tech innovation. Moreover, this city (Shenzhen) is also a green city: wetlands in the city center, green corridors along rivers, fully electric public transport and taxis, and an efficient and convenient subway system. More notably, this city has not seen slums or other potential problems that often accompany rapid urban development—it's an extraordinary achievement.
Observer Net: Your professional role has also undergone significant changes—from national governments to international institutions, and now you are the Chairman of the EU Asia Center. How have these different roles shaped your perspective on climate change issues?
Erik Solheim: I am honored to frequently visit China, India, and other parts of the world. This experience has allowed me to deeply understand the importance of grasping the macro picture. Environmentalists sometimes focus on details—which is certainly necessary, but we need a broader vision.
My view is that saving the world is not done by the global climate negotiations that are often promoted, which have limited impact. The real driving force behind change is the powerful force of industrial transformation. And China is leading this green technology revolution, with other regions like India following rapidly.
Ten years ago, Europe was at the forefront of almost all environmental fields. Now, China obviously leads the way, and India's green development follows closely. For example, I recently visited Andhra Pradesh in India, where they are building a 6-gigawatt fully integrated renewable energy storage plan. This is the only one of its kind in the world, excluding China, Europe, and the United States. Although India is much poorer than China, it is rapidly developing in a green direction.
These different professional experiences have also deeply impressed me: the world is gradually shifting from a European-centered or American-centered model to an increasingly prominent Asian-centered model.
Observer Net: As you said, the climate issue itself is quite large, so people tend to fall into a contradiction between the overall picture and details in discussions. For instance, the rapid development of AI and big data industries has led to a sharp increase in electricity demand—this is why some countries are beginning to embrace nuclear power again, even though it is not completely clean energy, but it can solve immediate needs. However, some countries like Germany have already entered a "nuclear-free era," but this has brought corresponding power dilemmas. Mr. Solheim, my question is: when you communicate with policymakers, how do you persuade them to adopt more environmentally friendly and healthy policies, especially when they face such difficult trade-offs?
Erik Solheim: I try to convince people by pointing out this fact: it is the first time in human history that development can combine ecology and economy. In the past—during the Industrial Revolution, even until ten to fifteen years ago—if you wanted prosperity and to lift people out of poverty, you had to rely on coal, oil, and natural gas. Europe, the United States, Japan, and China—all of us did this. Our development was based on fossil fuels.
But now, going green has become possible. Solar energy has become the cheapest energy in the world, mainly thanks to China. The Chinese government helped develop the market, and the fierce competition among companies like Tongwei, Longi, Trina, and Jinko has reduced solar prices by more than 90%.
So when I try to convince people, I tell them: you can achieve prosperity by embracing solar energy—creating jobs, building the future, while also protecting the Earth and avoiding pollution.
Observer Net: As an expert who has been working on these issues for many years, what is the biggest obstacle you have encountered in your career—especially when trying to convince others or push for climate action?
Erik Solheim: I think it's political short-sightedness—the tendency of politicians to attract voters based on outdated ideas or short-term interests rather than recognizing the huge long-term benefits of green transitions.
Whenever there is change, some people will not benefit. When the world moved from carriages to trains and cars, it caused upheaval, but everyone agrees it was good for the world. When the Internet appeared, there were also losers. So any era of change will have some people left behind. However, when politicians cater to these groups, amplify their dissatisfaction, and escalate the issue, it slows down progress.
This short-term political behavior—and the heavy subsidies for fossil fuels, which are completely counterproductive—are the most negative factors. These must be overcome by those leaders who remain committed to the right direction and have a vision.
Observer Net: We all know that the issues we discuss today cannot be solved by one country alone—they require everyone's participation. But nowadays, climate change issues have been politicized to some extent, and unilateralism and geopolitical conflicts may hinder or damage international cooperation. How can we control these risks?
Erik Solheim: First, I believe that countries committed to promoting the green revolution should move forward bravely—without waiting for others' approval or aligning with them. China, India, Europe, and many countries in the Global South—Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam—should directly push forward if they want to go green. There's no need to ask Donald Trump whether he agrees, because you yourself represent the future.
No matter whether Donald Trump likes it or not, he cannot stop the solar panel industry, nor can he stop electric vehicles. Deep down, everyone knows that the future of energy is solar, and the future of transportation is electrification. If Trump opposes this in the United States, then the loss will be the United States—they will lose job opportunities. If General Motors and Ford continue to produce gasoline vehicles, I wish them luck—they can dominate the U.S. market, but in other parts of the world, people will buy electric vehicles from BYD or other Chinese and European manufacturers. Therefore, the biggest loser will be the laggards—in this case, the United States.
However, I believe that most Americans understand this, and the U.S. will eventually change.
Observer Net: Even though the Trump administration currently implements negative policies in the climate field, we still have to face the reality of the United States. Considering the current Sino-U.S. tensions, what do you think is the best way to maintain and promote the necessary green cooperation between the two sides?
Erik Solheim: China should continue to focus on its own path and maintain a long-term perspective. It should realize that presidential changes in the U.S. are a norm—Trump is in power now, but future leaders may change policies. Therefore, the approach to U.S. cooperation should have a long-term vision.
As the two most important powers in today's era, if China and the U.S. cooperate, almost nothing is impossible; but if they confront each other, it will bring serious damage. Therefore, we must look ahead and avoid escalating the situation. If the U.S. takes provocative actions, such as Trump imposing tariffs, it is fair for China to respond in kind, which conforms to the principle of reciprocity.
Additionally, it should be recognized that the largest market is outside the U.S. Although China's exports to the U.S. have declined this year, through increased exports to the Global South and other regions, overall exports have still achieved strong growth.
Observer Net: As you mentioned earlier, the leadership role in the environmental field has shifted from Europe to China. China has now become a global leader in these issues. You often emphasize China's leading position in renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors, suggesting that people should look up to cities like Beijing and Shenzhen.
Erik Solheim: Yes, I think a major shift began around 2012. Before that, China mainly focused on economic growth. Although this lifted people out of poverty, it also brought serious pollution problems.
Throughout this process, I believe the Chinese people conveyed a clear message to the leadership: "We want change. We don't want such pollution in Beijing, Shanghai, or other big cities. We want to breathe fresh air and see the sun in clear skies." This message was widely communicated, and the Chinese government responded by placing pollution prevention at the core of its policy agenda.
Now, the changes are significant. Ten years ago, I might have worried about running in Beijing or Shanghai and being affected by smog, but now I am happy to do so. Because blue skies are no longer rare, and air quality has improved significantly. It's hard to imagine that such a transformation has been achieved in such a short time.
Take the rivers and canals in Zhejiang as an example. In the past, boatmen gave them a nickname called "soy sauce river"—not because it tasted like soy sauce, but because it was black and murky. Now you can stroll leisurely along the riverbank or swim in the water. Within a decade, such a dramatic change has occurred, serving as a model for ecological governance, offering valuable experience to the world. This success stems from China's firm political leadership and the demands of the Chinese people—when the public speaks out and the leadership listens, the result is powerful.
Observer Net: What do you think are the key factors behind China's success in environmental governance? What can other developing countries learn from the Chinese model?
Erik Solheim: First, it is important to understand that no country can simply copy China. Africa, Europe, or India cannot do it—because China's system is unique, rooted in over 2,500 years of history, dating back to the Qin and Tang dynasties. It cannot be replicated, but some lessons can still be drawn. I would like to emphasize three aspects:
First, China's strong top-level leadership places environmental issues at the forefront of the agenda. Pursuing prosperity and sustainability can be combined, but strong leadership is crucial. Interestingly, another major leader from the Global South, Prime Minister Modi, has also embraced the concept of "green is good."
Second, a governance system capable of implementing large projects. In Europe and the United States, we have faced difficulties in this regard. For example, the U.S. has zero miles of high-speed rail, while China has built over 45,000 kilometers. In building bridges, highways, airports, and subway systems, China's system is indeed more efficient.
Third, having a large and unified market is beneficial. China is a single market. You can produce goods in Guangdong at 30 degrees Celsius and sell them in Heilongjiang at minus 30 degrees Celsius—this distance is very long, equivalent to from Oslo to Central Africa, yet it belongs to one market. The advantage is that achieving success in such a vast market can reduce costs and enhance global competitiveness.
What can other countries or regions learn from China's experience? Europe needs to further integrate its economy; Southeast Asia should do the same. Africa must simplify trade between African countries—cross-border trade in Africa is still too difficult. Without such integration, other regions will actually find it hard to compete with China's efficiency.
According to recent projections, by 2030, China will account for 45% of global industrial output, with a large portion coming from the green sector. If other countries want to participate in the competition, they must integrate, improve efficiency, and learn these systemic advantages.
Per capita cumulative carbon dioxide emissions, the U.S. is eight times that of China, and 25 times that of Africa. The image shows the total accumulated carbon dioxide emissions of countries such as the U.S., China, and India.
Observer Net: The great opportunities brought by green technology, but we also see that imbalances may occur among regions or groups during the transition. In your view, how can we ensure that the global green transition is a truly "just" transition?
Erik Solheim: I think the key is to ensure that the benefits of the green transition reach everyone—ensuring that green energy like solar can be accessible to all corners at affordable prices. From the current perspective, except for a few special cases, almost all continents can now access low-cost green energy.
Of course, some regions still face special challenges, such as some weakly governed or deeply troubled African countries, like Sudan—advancing green transitions there is indeed challenging. That's why these most challenging regions need our special care and attention.
But apart from that, solar energy has now become the most economical energy choice—its competitiveness is evident even with accompanying battery storage. Unfortunately, some people still cling to outdated perceptions and fail to recognize the tremendous advancements in solar technology.
Another important aspect of a just transition is fairness within each country. Everyone should benefit. Regarding China, it is crucial that renewable energy and green transitions do not only help the young and fashionable groups in Shanghai, Hangzhou, or Shenzhen, but also the farmers in Henan, workers in Shanxi, or people in the old industrial areas of Heilongjiang—they must benefit everyone.
This also applies to the U.S. or Europe. If you expect all new jobs to flow to Arizona, California, or Texas, you cannot expect the people of Kentucky or West Virginia to be enthusiastic about the green transition. Balanced development—bringing cities and rural areas, young and elderly people together—is not only crucial for fairness but also for achieving an efficient transition. If people do not support the transition, resistance will arise, and progress will be much slower.
Observer Net: Regarding climate issues, there is a contradiction in public opinion: some people feel the urgency has not been sufficiently recognized, while others believe it has been overemphasized. Analyzing this, how do you view this cognitive divergence?
Erik Solheim: I think most people have clearly realized that climate change is a major long-term challenge. From wildfires in California, catastrophic floods in Pakistan, to the continuous rise in sea levels, people have seen the problem. However, the real challenge lies in the "action gap"—the public finds it difficult to imagine the severity that the future may reach, making it difficult to push for necessary substantial actions.
At the same time, we must not ignore the positive developments that are already happening. Countries like China and India are pushing the renewable energy revolution at an astonishing speed. Just in May this year, the Chinese power grid added as much as 90 gigawatts of solar power capacity—that number exceeds the total solar installed capacity of any country other than China and the U.S. in history. The wave of technological change is sweeping in with unprecedented strength.
Furthermore, the world's ability to respond to crises has significantly improved. Even in less developed countries in Africa and Asia, their government governance, civil society, and technological application levels are far superior to the past. Today, in the Global South, mobile phones are nearly universal, allowing timely transmission of flood and drought warnings. Our preparedness for climate change is more comprehensive than at any time in history.
The image shows the average temperature deviation from the baseline temperature for the hottest five days in various regions of Europe from June 23 to July 2, 2025, compared to the summer (June to August) baseline. Black circles indicate the 12 cities analyzed in the report: London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zagreb, Budapest, Athens, Rome, Milan, Sassari, Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon. The Grantham Institute, UK.
Observer Net: As we know, more and more young people are participating in these issues, and the younger generation is very important. For young people who want to participate in climate action, what advice do you have?
Erik Solheim: This reminds me of the words of the great Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi: "In this world, you must be the change you wish to see." The meaning is: if you want to change, you must act yourself.
Therefore, for young people: use your network influence to promote green technology, share what you or your friends are doing, inspire others through positive examples; start planting trees in your community; avoid using disposable plastic bottles—use reusable cups instead; advocate for installing solar panels at your school or university.
These small steps themselves won't change the world, but you will become part of a larger movement—that movement is changing the world.
Observer Net: What are your expectations for climate change issues in the next few years or even further into the future?
Erik Solheim: Although we will not achieve a perfect world, I believe we can avoid complete disaster. Global temperatures are continuously rising, but we can use many methods to slow the pace of climate change. The important thing is that in doing so, we are also creating a more prosperous world with significantly reduced pollution.
Shifting to solar energy is not only beneficial for the climate—it can create jobs and reduce pollution. Replacing coal with solar means cleaner air in our cities, a win-win solution for all, and I firmly believe this approach will shape the future of the world.
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