South Korean media: Developing countries are leading the renewable energy trend, and China is undoubtedly the core!
On December 6, South Korean media "Global Economy" published an article stating that the use of renewable energy around the world is increasing significantly, especially in developing countries, and China is leading this change.
The United States is gradually phasing out its climate policies, while progress in Europe is very slow. In contrast, emerging countries, which account for the majority of the world's population and have rapid economic growth, are actively addressing climate change.
Countries such as Brazil, India, and Vietnam are rapidly developing solar and wind energy. Poorer countries such as Ethiopia and Nepal have skipped the gasoline car stage and directly moved towards the electric vehicle era.
Nigeria, an oil-exporting country, plans to build its first solar panel manufacturing plant. Morocco is building a battery production center for European automakers. Santiago, the capital of Chile, has recently replaced more than half of its bus fleet with electric vehicles.
This change is centered on China, this emerging superpower in renewable energy.
With the domestic solar panel, wind turbine, and battery markets becoming saturated, Chinese companies are actively exporting products to developing countries with high energy demands.
Chinese companies are also investing billions of dollars in Vietnam to build solar panel factories and in Brazil to build electric vehicle factories.
China's industrial policies have contributed to the development of the fastest-growing countries in the world.
The renewable energy industry in developing countries is still not sufficient to fully address climate change, as many countries still mainly rely on fossil fuels for energy.
However, due to the considerations of cost reduction and energy security, more and more countries are using renewable energy. Many countries are also seeking to reduce fossil fuel imports.
The rapid decline in the price of Chinese products has made this possible.
Ani Dasgupta, director of the World Resources Institute, said that this shows economic development and greenhouse gas emission reduction are not conflicting.
Ethiopia banned the import of new gasoline-powered cars last year, while Nepal significantly reduced the import tariff on electric vehicles, making their prices lower than internal combustion engine cars. Brazil increased tariffs on all imported cars, allowing Chinese automakers such as BYD and Great Wall Motors to build factories.
Since 2011, China has invested over $225 billion globally, with three-quarters of it going to "Global South countries."
India is also following China's industrial policy. The Indian government is building large-scale solar power plants and providing subsidies to encourage domestic production of more solar equipment.
At the recent environmental summit in Brazil, India stated that it can meet half of its electricity demand through wind, solar, and hydropower, achieving the 2030 clean energy transition goal set by the Paris Agreement five years early.
These phenomena indicate that the axis of the world is shifting.
When the Paris Agreement was signed 10 years ago, developed countries such as the United States and Europe pressured developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Developing countries responded that developed countries should help bear the costs of the necessary clean energy transition for economic development.
Most of the aid promised by developed countries has not been fulfilled, and developing countries remain angry about this.
But the economic situation has changed.
European climate expert Kathy Brown said, "Ten years ago, there was political will but no market. Now, the renewable energy market has formed. The key is who will lead it."
After the Trump administration withdrew from climate negotiations, China is positioning itself as a leader of global climate action.
This year, China's exports of solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries all reached record highs, indicating that expanding renewable energy globally aligns with China's own interests.
In contrast, the United States and Europe are concerned that China's growing dominance could weaken their domestic industries.
However, China's leadership in the renewable energy sector was welcomed at the Brazilian climate summit.
Brazilian diplomat Correa do Lago said, "You cannot say China needs to reduce carbon emissions and then complain that China is promoting cheap electric vehicles around the world."
Original: toutiao.com/article/1850759260781642/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.