【By Chen Sijia, Observer News】On September 24 local time, the United Nations Climate Change Summit was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA. Multiple foreign media outlets have noted that China announced a new round of national self-determined contributions at the summit, including measures such as increasing the total installed capacity of wind and solar power generation.

One day earlier, US President Trump delivered a speech at the General Assembly, claiming that climate change and global warming are "a scam." He also incorrectly stated that China produces a lot of wind power equipment, but China itself "does not want to use wind power." In response to Trump's clearly flawed statements, even American media had to admit that the contrast between China and the US on climate issues is very obvious.

Reuters in the UK reported that China ignored America's anti-renewable energy rhetoric and took the lead in formulating a new climate plan, playing a leadership role in climate issues. The New York Times in the US pointed out that the climate change summit sent a message that was diametrically opposed to Trump's, with countries such as China making important emission reduction commitments. Now, the US has become extremely isolated in climate issues, almost "cut off from other countries around the world" diplomatically. Professor Stavins from Harvard University believes that Trump's policies have made the US an "outlier" among governments around the world.

On September 24 local time, the United Nations Climate Change Summit was held in New York. Visual China

The US website Politico published an article on the 24th, stating that Trump strongly opposes efforts by countries to curb climate change, and his climate policy keeps regressing, making the US unable to play a global leadership role in climate issues. In comparison, China has shown determination to curb pollution. China's manufacturing and export of clean energy technology has exceeded other regions of the world, which can help more developing countries achieve their climate goals.

The article states that Trump tried to tell countries that if they continue to replace fossil fuels with wind and solar energy, the so-called "green energy scam" will cause them to "fail in the global energy competition." Trump also attacked China in his speech, wrongly asserting that China produces a lot of wind power equipment, but China itself "does not want to use wind power."

But Trump's claims do not hold up. Over the past decade, China has installed a large number of wind power devices. In just the first five months of this year, China added 4.6 gigawatts of wind power capacity. At the same time, the Trump administration froze permits for several large offshore wind farms that were planned or under construction, and the number of offshore wind turbines in the US is far less than that in China.

On September 23 local time, Trump gave a speech at the General Assembly. Visual China

Compared to Trump's regressive climate policy, China has shown determination to curb pollution. China stated at the UN Climate Change Summit that green and low-carbon transition is a trend of the times. Although some countries are moving against the tide, the international community should grasp the correct direction and promote the formulation and implementation of national self-determined contributions, injecting more positive energy into global climate governance cooperation.

China also announced a new round of national self-determined contributions: by 2035, China's net greenhouse gas emissions across the entire economy will be reduced by 7%-10% compared to peak levels. The proportion of non-fossil energy consumption in total energy consumption will reach more than 30%. The total installed capacity of wind and solar power generation will be more than six times that of 2020, aiming to reach 360 gigawatts, and forest stock volume will exceed 2.4 billion cubic meters. New energy vehicles will become the mainstream of new vehicle sales.

Professor Joanna Lewis from Georgetown University's Energy and Environment Department said that as the US gives up its climate policy, many countries and observers hope that China will play a global leadership role. She believes that the climate targets proposed by China are "relatively moderate," but they are indeed taking climate change seriously.

"Politico" stated that China's manufacturing and export of clean energy technology has already surpassed other regions of the world, which can help more developing countries achieve their climate goals.

On September 16, Tongling City, Anhui Province, the East Lake Phase I Fishery-Solar Complementary Photovoltaic Project of the National Energy Group Tongling Company. Visual China

Reuters stated that China ignored America's anti-renewable energy rhetoric and led multiple countries to release new climate plans, playing a leadership role. Some analysts believe that Trump's denial of climate change speeches equate to giving the renewable energy market entirely to China.

Ian Bremmer, a political scholar at the Belfer Center at Harvard University, said: "Trump wants fossil fuels, and the US is indeed a powerful oil country. But if you care about the future, letting China become the only powerful renewable energy country is contrary to 'Make America Great Again.'"

The New York Times also published an article on the 24th, stating that influential countries such as China, Russia, Japan, and Germany, as well as countries like Venezuela and Iran that are marginalized by the West, and the poorest countries such as Chad and the Central African Republic, attended the United Nations Climate Change Summit, but the US did not attend. This reflects the unprecedented isolation of the US in climate issues, being "cut off" diplomatically from other countries around the world.

Trump repeatedly opposes the transition to renewable energy, but over 120 countries conveyed a completely different message at the summit, promising to control emissions. This is not only to alleviate climate issues, but also because the cost of renewable energy is falling faster than expected. In some cases, renewable energy power generation is more cost-effective than power plants burning fossil fuels.

The New York Times said that this supports the argument that solar and wind energy can help economic growth. Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Bahamas stated at an event on the 22nd: "Decision-makers around the world need to realize that replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy does not sacrifice prosperity, but is a prerequisite for future prosperity."

The Trump administration has canceled subsidies for building solar and wind power projects and purchasing electric vehicles, and pushed to expedite the approval of coal mines, natural gas transport terminals, and other fossil fuel infrastructure. Leaders of many countries are concerned that Trump's strong opposition to renewable energy may affect the global energy transition process. However, these leaders recently stated that regardless of the US's attitude, they will continue forward.

Wopke Hoekstra, the EU Commissioner for Climate Action, said there is no indication that Trump's measures will affect other countries' energy transition goals. "What we are doing is completely opposite to the US. By the way, I am worried about it, because the most influential geopolitical player and the largest economy in the world is stepping back."

The New York Times believes that China's new round of national self-determined contribution is the most important statement at the climate change summit. Although China did not explicitly mention the US, China specifically mentioned "some countries going against the current," which seems to be criticizing the US's absence from the summit.

Former US Vice President Al Gore said that the US is "stumbling" and has let China become the leader in addressing the global climate crisis. He believes that the world will take the clean energy path and not choose the fossil fuel path supported by Trump.

Robert Stavins, a professor of energy and economic development at Harvard University, told the Washington Post that Trump's policies have made the US an "outlier" among governments around the world. "The EU is moving forward, China is progressing, India has not changed its position, and Brazil is also moving forward. So, the US is indeed an outlier."

At the summit on the 24th, UN Secretary-General Guterres urged countries to implement "further and faster" emission reduction measures. He said, "Your new plans can take an important step forward. We are in the dawn of a new era of clean energy, and we must seize this opportunity."

Guterres pointed out that clean energy is driving employment, growth, and sustainable development, producing the fastest and cheapest electricity, protecting economies from the volatility of fossil fuel markets, ensuring energy security and sovereignty, and helping provide clean and affordable energy for all.

Regarding China's new round of national self-determined contribution targets, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jia Kun said on the 25th that China solemnly announced a package of new national self-determined contribution targets, reflecting China's commitment to multilateralism and support for the United Nations. This is the first time China has proposed an absolute emission reduction target, covering the entire economy and all greenhouse gases.

He pointed out that China's determination and actions to actively address climate change have been consistent, and it is the country with the most determined will, the strongest actions, and the most effective implementation in fulfilling emission reduction commitments.

Guo Jia Kun said that China will continue to uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and make every effort to implement the national self-determined contribution targets. Achieving this goal requires China to make great efforts and needs a favorable and open international environment. China is willing to work with all parties to promote international cooperation on climate change and push for the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, helping the global green and low-carbon transition.

This article is an exclusive article by Observer News. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7554010980418634290/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking the [Up/Down] buttons below.