Record of the regular press conference in November
On November 6, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment held a regular press conference for November. Xia Yingxian, Director of the Climate Change Response Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, attended the press conference to introduce the progress of my country's work on climate change, and released the "2024 Annual Report on China's Policies and Actions to Address Climate Change." Pei Xiaofei, spokesperson of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, presided over the press conference to report on the recent progress of key ecological and environmental protection work, and jointly answered questions from reporters.
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latest briefing
1. The 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity was held
From October 21 to November 2 local time, the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity was held in Cali, Colombia. Tens of thousands of representatives from various parties and stakeholders attended the conference. Huang Runqiu, President of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP15) and Minister of Ecology and Environment, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. He formally handed over the responsibilities of the chairman with Mohammed, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.
The theme of COP16 is "Peaceful coexistence with nature", and all parties discussed around protecting biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources. Faced with the severe situation of biodiversity loss, COP15 has achieved landmark results such as the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework"(hereinafter referred to as the "Kunming-Montreal Framework"), and the cause of global biodiversity protection has opened a new chapter. As the first Conference of the Parties since the conclusion of the "Kunming Framework", COP16 jointly reviewed the progress of the implementation of the "Kunming Framework", diagnosed possible problems and challenges, proposed forward-looking solutions, and drew a clearer and more practical blueprint for the realization of subsequent goals.
During COP16, the second meeting of the Kunming Foundation Council was also held. The Kunming Fund is an important measure announced by President Xi Jinping to support biodiversity conservation in developing countries and provide positive support for the comprehensive and effective implementation of the "Kunming-Mongolia Framework". The meeting reviewed the work progress of the Kunming Fund since its launch, reviewed and approved the list of the first batch of projects supported by the Kunming Fund, the rules of procedure of the board of directors, the work outline of the technical advisory group, and the guidelines for a new batch of full-amount projects. The Kunming Fund supported a total of 9 projects in the first batch, including 1 in Central and Eastern Europe, 4 in the Asia-Pacific region, and 2 in each of Africa and Latin America, covering a total of 15 countries. In the follow-up, the Fund will continue to support the implementation of a number of "small but beautiful" projects around key goals of the "Kunming-Mongolia Framework" such as mainstreaming biodiversity, and continue to provide impetus for developing countries to implement the "Kunming-Mongolia Framework".
2. The "Implementation Plan for the Comprehensive Implementation of the Pollutant Discharge Permit System" was released
Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued the "Implementation Plan for the Comprehensive Implementation of the Pollution Discharge Permit System"(hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"). The formulation of the "Plan" is an important reform measure to implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, and is of great significance to promoting the modernization of the ecological and environmental governance system and governance capabilities. The "Plan" closely focuses on improving the quality of the ecological environment, plans to comprehensively implement the task of reforming the emission permit system, and continues to promote the reform of the emission permit system in depth and practice.
The "Plan" proposes that by 2025, the management of industrial noise and industrial solid waste discharge permits will be fully completed, the management of marine engineering discharge permits will be basically completed, and full coverage of environmental management elements will be basically achieved. By 2027, the "one-license" management of pollutant discharge permits will be fully implemented, and the effectiveness of the pollutant discharge permit system will be effectively exerted.
The "Plan" focuses on the control of pollutant emissions, promotes the further integration of multiple environmental management systems in depth and breadth, and clarifies systems such as environmental impact assessment, total control, self-monitoring, ecological environment statistics, and environmental protection taxes and the pollution discharge permit system. The connection path, and actively explores the connection between the setting of sewage outlets into rivers (seas), hazardous waste business licenses, etc. and the pollution discharge permit system.
The "Plan" fully implements the "one-license" management of fixed pollution sources, promotes pollutant discharge units to build an environmental management system based on pollutant discharge permits, strengthens joint supervision, resource sharing and information exchange of pollutant discharge permits, environmental monitoring, and environmental law enforcement, and innovates informatization Supervision methods, improve environmental compliance and integrity information sharing mechanisms, build an environmental credit supervision system, and strengthen social supervision.
3. The national finals of the 3rd National Ecological Environment Monitoring Competition were held
Recently, the national finals of the 3rd National Ecological Environment Monitoring Professional and Technical Personnel Competition jointly organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Human Resources and social protection, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, the All-China Women's Federation and the State Administration of Market Supervision were held in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. This is an important event jointly organized by the six departments after five years.
This competition is divided into two stages: provincial competition and national finals. The provincial competitions all ended at the end of August, and a total of 32 teams and 384 players were selected to participate in the national finals. This year's competition focuses on in-depth efforts to combat pollution prevention and control and the requirements for building a beautiful China. On the basis of retaining experimental analysis projects, the comprehensive competition has added three projects: pollution source monitoring, emergency monitoring, and automatic monitoring of ambient air quality. Covering surface water, environmental air, waste gas, soil and other elements, radiation emergency monitoring projects have been added to the special competition, highlighting actual combat content, modernization of technical means, and focusing on the application of artificial intelligence, satellite remote sensing, drones, etc. The competition is a training exercise to effectively ensure that the ecological environment monitoring data is "true, accurate, complete, fast and new". It fully demonstrates the latest look of scientific and technological empowerment and digital and intelligent transformation of ecological environment monitoring work, and demonstrates that the ecological and environmental protection team loves and devotes their duties. The spirit of fulfilling their duties.
Individual awards and group awards will be finally decided in the national finals of this year's competition. The results of the competition will be announced on the new government media and official website of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in the near future.
Introduce the progress of my country's work on climate change
Xia Yingxian, Director of the Climate Change Response Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment
Xia Yingxian: Dear reporters, good morning everyone! I am very pleased to attend this press conference to introduce to you the progress of my country's work in addressing climate change and release the "2024 Annual Report on China's Policies and Actions to Address Climate Change"(hereinafter referred to as the "Annual Report"). Thank you very much for your long-term support, care, assistance and publicity for addressing climate change.
Starting from 2008, we will compile the annual report "China's Policies and Actions to Address Climate Change" every year, and in 2024, we will continue to compile the "Annual Report." The "Annual Report" comprehensively displays the progress and effectiveness of policies, measures and key tasks in various fields and departments to address climate change since 2023. It reflects with data and facts my country's concept of adhering to its promises and focusing on implementation, and reflects my country's active response to climate change. Responsible attitude. The "Annual Report" mainly includes China's new deployments and new requirements to address climate change, as well as relevant progress in mitigation and adaptation to climate change, national carbon market construction, policy system and support guarantees, and active participation in global governance to address climate change. It also expounds China's relevant positions and propositions on the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that addressing climate change is a common cause of mankind. China has always attached great importance to addressing climate change and regards actively responding to climate change as an intrinsic requirement for achieving its own sustainable development and its responsibility to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. We promote the adjustment of industrial and energy structures, adopt a series of measures such as energy conservation and improvement of energy efficiency, establishing and improving carbon markets, increasing forest carbon sinks, and improving adaptability, and build a "1+N" policy system for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Energy and industry The structure has been continuously optimized, the construction of carbon markets has been continuously made, basic capabilities such as carbon emission statistical accounting have been continuously improved, and new results have been achieved in the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.
At the same time, we adhere to multilateralism, adhere to the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, and actively and constructively participate in the global governance process to address climate change. We are actionists and doers in the climate field, playing the role of stabilizer and promoter. Carry out in-depth South-South cooperation on climate change and help developing countries such as the least developed countries, African countries, and small island states improve their ability to cope with climate change.
The United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Baku, what we call COP29, will be held soon. We call on all parties to implement the goals, principles and arrangements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, and send a message that the multilateral process is irreversible. The positive signal that international cooperation is indispensable will bring more certainty to global efforts to address the climate crisis. China is willing to continue to play a positive and constructive role and work with all parties to promote COP29 to achieve positive results in accordance with the principles of openness, transparency, broad participation, consensus, and party-driven.
answered questions
Pei Xiaofei, Director of the Propaganda and Education Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and Spokesperson
Pei Xiaofei: Let's move to the questioning session. Before asking questions, please inform the news organization you are working for, and please raise your hands to ask questions.
The Paper: What work has China done and what progress has it made in South-South cooperation to address climate change? As the largest developing country, in what other areas will China carry out South-South cooperation in the future?
Xia Yingxian: For a long time, China has continued to provide support to other developing countries, especially small island states, least developed countries and African countries, in addressing climate change through South-South cooperation on climate change. So far, China has signed 53 memorandums of understanding on South-South cooperation on climate change with 42 developing countries, helping to improve developing countries by cooperating in building low-carbon demonstration zones, carrying out mitigation and adaptation projects, and holding exchange seminars. Capacity to respond to climate change.
Currently, we are focusing on promoting the following tasks. The first is to support capacity building in developing countries. Every year, capacity-building seminars are held around themes such as mitigation, adaptation, finance, and negotiation to support the training of professionals in developing countries to deal with climate change. So far, more than 300 seminars have been held, providing more than 10,000 training places to more than 120 developing countries. The second is to actively carry out the flagship project of the "African Belt" of South-South cooperation. Minister Huang Runqiu launched the implementation of the "African Light Belt" flagship project at the first African Climate Summit, which will help about 50,000 poor households without electricity in Africa solve the problem of electricity and lighting and help Africa's green and low-carbon development. So far, we have successfully promoted the signing of the "African Light Belt" cooperation documents with five African countries, which is expected to help solve the daily electricity problems of nearly 30,000 African households without electricity. The third is to actively implement early warning projects. For a long time, early warning has been the key direction of China's South-South cooperation in addressing climate change. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment jointly signed the "Trilateral Cooperation Agreement on Supporting the United Nations National Early Warning Initiative" with the World Meteorological Organization and the China Meteorological Administration and launched the first cooperation project with Pakistan to implement the Trilateral Agreement. At this Baku Conference, we will hold a high-level event of "Strengthening Early Warning and Jointly Building a Climate Adaptation Future", and signed Pakistan's material delivery certificate at the event.
In the future, China will continue to strengthen South-South cooperation in addressing climate change, give full play to China's advantages in photovoltaics, new energy vehicles, early warning, etc., and carry out practical cooperation projects through material assistance, technical assistance, exchanges and seminars, joint research, etc., to provide assistance to other developing countries in their efforts to address climate change within its capabilities.
Daily Economic News: The upcoming COP29 is considered by many media to be a climate finance conference, which will make corresponding arrangements for the global post-2025 climate finance goals. How do you think will solve the funding gap for the climate crisis? How to mobilize funds from developed countries to help developing countries cope with climate change?
Xia Yingxian: As a focus, hot spot and difficulty in the international climate process, climate finance is related to mutual trust between countries in the North and the South, and the trust between developed and developing countries. It is the key to progress in the multilateral process. All parties will complete the formulation of global post-2025 climate finance goals and related arrangements at this conference. We have noticed that developed and developing countries have different views on issues such as funders, sources of funds, and scale of funds involved in funding targets. China advocates grasping the following aspects.
The first is to adhere to the principles, provisions and authorizations of the Paris Agreement and ensure that the relevant provisions of the Paris Agreement are not renegotiated or rewritten. Developed countries should fulfill their funding obligations and continue to take the lead in mobilizing funds, encouraging other countries to participate voluntarily.
Second, developed countries must effectively fulfill the promised goal of donating US$100 billion in financial support to developing countries every year before 2025, double adaptation financial support, and further expand the scale of funds after 2025.
Third, the clear source of funds must be mainly public funds from developed countries. Through public funds, positive and stable policy signals must be transmitted to the international community to further leverage and expand multilateral development bank financing and private sector investment.
What needs to be further clarified is that on the issue of funding, funding from developed countries is a mandatory question, voluntary funding from other countries is optional, and private sector financing is an extracurricular question. We believe that we must first answer the mandatory questions well, and on this basis, we must make the capital pie bigger through financial institutions such as multilateral development banks and the private sector. The global South can further promote South-South cooperation and mutual assistance and self-reliance as a "icing on the cake" in addition to funding goals.
Caixin Weekly: According to the COP28 decision, countries will update their nationally determined contributions from 2025 to 2035. This is also the focus of attention of all parties after the global stocktaking of the Paris Agreement. How is China's progress in implementing the nationally determined contribution target, and what considerations does it have for updating its nationally determined contribution in 2035?
Xia Yingxian: Thank you for your question.
"Nationally determined contribution", which is what we call NDC, is the "bottom-up" core implementation mechanism arrangement determined by the Paris Agreement. It is the initiative determined by each party to the Convention to address climate change based on its own circumstances. Action goals. On September 22, 2020, President Xi Jinping solemnly declared at the general debate of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly: China will increase its nationally determined contribution, adopt more powerful policies and measures, and strive to achieve carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. Peak, strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This is a major strategic decision made by China based on its responsibility to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind and the inherent requirements of achieving sustainable development. As the largest developing country, my country will complete the world's largest reduction in carbon emission intensity and go from carbon peak to carbon neutrality in the shortest time in history. This is not an easy achievement and requires hard work to promote extensive and profound economic and social systemic changes.
China has taken a series of actions to comprehensively promote the implementation of nationally determined contributions and achieve positive results. Regarding the progress you asked about, here is a set of data. In 2023, China will continue to promote the reduction of carbon intensity. Non-fossil energy consumption will account for 17.9% of energy consumption, and forest reserves will reach 19.493 billion cubic meters., an increase of 6.5 billion cubic meters from 2005, and the 2030 target has been achieved. As of the end of July 2024, the total installed capacity of wind power and solar power generation has reached 1.206 billion kilowatts, 2.25 times that of the end of 2020. We have achieved the 2030 installed capacity target more than six years ahead of schedule, making an important contribution to addressing climate change. Currently, China is studying and formulating a new round of nationally determined contribution goals. We will based on national conditions, under the framework of sustainable development, and in accordance with the Paris Agreement and the "United Arab Emirates Consensus" adopted last year, report to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in due course in 2025. Notify the nationally determined contribution in 2035.
CCTV News: At present, complex factors in various aspects at the global level are constantly superimposed, bringing uncertainty to this year's multilateral process and causing concern to the international community. What efforts has China made to promote the multilateral process and the United Nations Baku Conference on Climate Change successfully, and what results have been achieved?
Xia Yingxian: Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and based on the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, we have been actively participating in the multilateral process of climate change. In 2024, we will maintain close communication and exchanges with Azerbaijan, the chairman of the Baku Climate Conference, the United Nations, the UNFCCC Secretariat, and developing and developed countries, actively promote global climate governance, and successfully host the 8th Climate Action Ministerial Conference, the Ministerial Conference of the Fundamental Countries, and the Conference of Developing Countries with Similar Positions. In the complex international situation, With our unswerving determination to respond to climate change, we have offset the global uncertainty of climate policy moving towards multilateralism, and have played the role of ballast stone and stabilizer in the multilateral process of climate change.
The above-mentioned 8th Climate Action Ministerial Conference (MoCA) was held in Wuhan City, Hubei Province in July this year. It was supported by the "troika" of United Arab Emirates, which chaired the Dubai Conference last year, Azerbaijan, which chaired the Baku Conference this year, and Brazil, which chaired the Belen Conference next year, that is, the three presidents. Our country's leaders attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Minister Huang Runqiu of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment served as the chairman of the meeting. 30 ministerial representatives from 34 countries including United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the United States, as well as the Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Executive Secretary of the Climate Convention, attended the meeting. The number of ministerial representatives attending the meeting was the largest ever. During the meeting, representatives discussed the review and outlook of the United Nations Climate Conference, coordination and coordination of biodiversity and climate, mitigation and low-carbon transformation, adaptation and climate resilience, support and implementation means, global climate action and cooperation prospects, energy low-carbon transformation and development, etc., we exchanged candid and in-depth views on key issues such as renewable energy, and strived to increase trust, dispel doubts, and seek common ground while reserving differences. After the meeting, the Chairman's Summary Document was issued, reaffirming the basic direction of all parties 'adherence to the Convention and the Paris Agreement, clarifying key issues for subsequent climate negotiations, balancing the concerns of the North and South camps, and identifying potential bridging options to promote The Baku Climate Conference at the end of this year has laid a good foundation for achieving positive results. At the same time, as the chair of the "Basic Four Countries" of China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, we also held the "Basic Four Countries" Climate Change Ministerial Conference this year and issued a joint statement, conveying positive signals from developing countries to adhere to multilateralism, safeguard the Convention and the Paris Agreement, strengthen international cooperation, and oppose unilateral trade measures. We will continue to work with other parties to dialogue and communicate, move towards each other, gather differences, and promote the Baku Conference to achieve positive results.
Cover news: It has been nearly a year since the national voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading market was launched. How is the current operation status? What other considerations does the Ministry of Ecology and Environment have in improving the construction of a voluntary carbon market in the next step?
Xia Yingxian: The National Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Trading Market (CCER Market) is another important policy tool launched by my country after the National Carbon Emissions Trading Market (Compulsory Carbon Market) to help achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Since its launch in January this year, progress has been achieved in three aspects. The first is to build a basic institutional framework. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in conjunction with the State Administration for Market Regulation, issued the "Measures for the Management of Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Trading (Trial)" to guide the formulation and release of relevant supporting institutional documents and provide market entities with standardized guidance on the entire process and all elements. The second is to clarify the priority areas of market support. We released the first batch of four voluntary emission reduction project methodologies, including afforestation carbon sinks, grid-connected solar thermal power generation, grid-connected offshore wind power generation, and mangrove construction. After that, we organized the compilation of methodologies for coal mine gas utilization and tunnel lighting energy conservation to support methane utilization. Development in areas such as transportation energy conservation and further expansion of market support areas. The third is to complete infrastructure and institutional construction. Organized the construction of a national unified registration system and trading system for voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction and has been put into operation. The CCER market will be launched in January 2024. In June, the National Certification and Accreditation Administration approved a number of certification and verification agencies. As of October 2024, 44 emission reduction projects have been announced. Based on the projects that have been announced so far, it is estimated that more than 11.37 million tons of certified voluntary emission reductions will be generated every year.
In the next step, our Ministry will continue to improve the voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading mechanism and further leverage the positive role of market mechanisms in controlling and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The first is to strengthen institutional design. Guide registration institutions and trading institutions to establish management systems and strengthen internal management of institutions. Establish and improve supervision and management mechanisms for different market entities such as project owners and approval and verification agencies to standardize the behavior of market entities. The second is to expand market support areas. Carry out public solicitation and selection evaluation of methodologies on a regular basis. Combined with my country's carbon peak and carbon neutrality realization process and the development and progress of relevant industries, timely update the applicable conditions of methodologies, emission reduction accounting methods and additionality demonstration methods, dynamically manage the entire process, and ensure the scientific nature, rationality and operability of the system. The third is to establish and improve a data quality supervision mechanism. Cooperate with relevant departments to establish regular supervision, assistance and law enforcement inspection mechanisms, improve the informatization and intelligent level of data quality supervision, and strictly control, strictly investigate, and severely punish voluntary emission reduction projects and emission reduction fraud. We look forward to improving the construction of voluntary carbon markets from the above three aspects.
CNG: The Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued and implemented the "National Carbon Emissions Trading Power Generation Industry Quota Total and Allocation Plan for 2023 and 2024." May I ask what progress and results have been made since the launch of the mandatory carbon market, and what plans and work priorities of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment for promoting the construction of a national carbon emissions trading market in the next step?
Xia Yingxian: Thank you for your question.
The national carbon emissions trading market, which is the mandatory carbon market you just mentioned, is an institutional innovation that we use market mechanisms to control greenhouse gas emissions and promote green and low-carbon. It is also a core policy tool to promote the realization of my country's dual carbon goals and the country's independent response to climate change. The mandatory carbon market started online trading in July 2021. The cumulative transaction volume of our carbon emission quotas is close to 500 million tons, with a transaction volume of 29.7 billion yuan. The transaction price is showing a steady upward trend. Currently, it fluctuates around the price of 100 yuan per ton., the market operation is generally stable. Since the beginning of this year, market construction has made further progress and results.
First, the institutional system has been further improved. In May this year, the State Council promulgated and implemented the "Interim Regulations on the Administration of Carbon Emissions Trading". The promulgation of this "Regulations" is of great significance. It is the first special regulation in my country's field of addressing climate change and provides a higher-level legal basis for the construction of the carbon market. The "Regulations", together with more than 30 rules, regulations and technical specifications for carbon emission accounting verification, quota allocation, registration, and transaction settlement, have formed a multi-level and relatively complete legal system for my country's carbon market.
The second is to continue to strengthen data quality management. We insist on taking data quality as the "lifeline" of carbon market construction, continuously optimize carbon emission accounting and verification methods, implement a monthly certificate system for key parameters, and carry out three-level joint reviews of "national-province-city" to eliminate data quality risks as soon as possible. At present, the standardization, accuracy and timeliness of market carbon emission accounting have been greatly optimized, meeting the needs of stable market operation and providing key data support for other related policies such as carbon footprint management.
Third, the 2023 and 2024 annual quota issuance and settlement of the power generation industry have been carried out in an orderly manner. Organized and formulated the "National Carbon Emissions Trading Power Generation Industry Quota Total and Allocation Plan for 2023 and 2024", which is the plan mentioned in your question just now, issued a notice on doing a good job in quota allocation and settlement, and organized various provinces and cities have carried out quota allocation and settlement work for more than 2200 power generation companies to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of the market.
The fourth is to make basic preparations for expanding industry coverage. In order to implement the task requirements for expanding the national carbon market proposed in the 2024 "Government Work Report", we organized the preparation of the "National Carbon Emissions Trading Market Covering the Cement, Steel, and Aluminum Smelting Industries" and solicited opinions from all parties. Opinions, issued and implemented 4 technical specifications including accounting verification guidelines for the cement and aluminum smelting industries, etc., and are also promoting the preparation of accounting verification guidelines for the steel industry.
In the next step, we will further implement the provisions of the "Interim Regulations on the Administration of Carbon Emissions Trading", revise and promulgate supporting systems such as the "Measures for the Administration of Carbon Emissions Trading", continue to consolidate the quality of data, severely crack down on illegal activities such as data fraud, and actively promote the integration of steel, cement and aluminum smelting into the national carbon emissions trading market, which is what we call the relevant arrangements for the next step of expansion, and accelerate the construction of a more effective and dynamic one. Carbon market with more international influence.
Outlook Newsweek: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the entry into force and implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement will also celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. How to evaluate China's efforts in implementing the Paris Agreement and addressing climate change since joining the Paris Agreement? What position and expectations will China have at this climate change conference?
Xia Yingxian: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has laid the political and legal foundation for the international community to cooperate in addressing climate change. Over the past 30 years, it has played the role of the main channel for the multilateral process of climate change. The Paris Agreement reached in 2015 made arrangements for global climate action and cooperation beyond 2020, further strengthening the implementation of the Convention. The agreement has been reached nearly ten years ago and has played a key role in promoting global green and low-carbon transformation.
China attaches great importance to addressing climate change. It was one of the first parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and one of the first countries to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement. China has close dialogue and cooperation with developed and other developing countries, and has played a key role and made important contributions in all stages of the conclusion, signing, entry into force and implementation of the Paris Agreement. As an active participant and contributor to global governance in addressing climate change, China is also a leader. Based on its own reality, China actively assumes international responsibilities consistent with its development stage and national conditions and capabilities, and takes positive actions to deal with climate change.
We continue to promote industrial and energy structural adjustment and have taken a series of measures. Earlier, I have reported to you our specific data in this regard to illustrate our achievements in addressing climate change in the past ten years. In particular, the two advances mentioned just now: the forest stock volume has achieved the goal of nationally determined contribution in 2030, and the total installed capacity of wind and photovoltaics has also achieved the goals promised to the international community ahead of schedule. These data solidly demonstrate that China is a do-worker in addressing climate change, and we have made important contributions to addressing climate change in a down-to-earth manner.
As you said, COP29 is a conference that connects the past and the future. The China delegation will play a positive and constructive role in supporting the presidency of Azerbaijan, urging other parties to work together to comply with the mandates of the Convention and the Paris Agreement, and promoting this conference to achieve positive and balanced results. First, we hope that this conference will adhere to and implement the goals, principles and arrangements of the Convention and the Paris Agreement, send a positive political signal that the multilateral process is irreversible and international cooperation is indispensable, and bring more certainty to global efforts to deal with the climate crisis., and continue to promote global transformation and innovation that is green, low-carbon, and climate-resilient. Second, we hope that developed countries will fulfill their commitments to provide financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries and create a political environment of mutual trust between the North and the South for developing countries to submit nationally determined contributions in 2025. Developed countries assume the funding obligation to support developing countries and commit early to a specific target figure well above US$100 billion is the golden key and master switch to open the COP29 outcome. Third, we hope that all parties will safeguard multilateralism and promote the broadest international cooperation to address the global climate change challenge. We urge relevant countries to abandon unilateralism, address obstacles such as unreasonable unilateral measures that drive up the cost of climate action, effectively respond to the concerns of developing countries, and create a fair and just foundation for submitting nationally determined contributions in 2025.
Climate change is a global issue. No country can deal with it alone, and no country can protect it alone. Unity and cooperation are the only way out. China is willing to work with all parties to make efforts for the success of the Baku Conference and contribute to the cause of global climate governance.
Poster News: This year, 15 departments including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment jointly issued the "Implementation Plan on Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System", which clarified the construction goals of the carbon footprint management system in stages. What work has the Ministry of Ecology and Environment carried out so far and how to continue to promote implementation in the next step?
Xia Yingxian: Thank you for your question.
The expansion of the carbon market mentioned above is a key task proposed in this year's government work report. The construction of a carbon footprint management system is also another task requirement proposed in this year's government work report. In order to implement tasks in this regard, we jointly issued the "Implementation Plan on Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System" with 14 departments in May this year. This implementation plan compiled the "Task Book" and "Construction Plan" for the construction of my country's carbon footprint management system."Drawing", focusing on clarifying the "two cornerstones" of product carbon footprint accounting standards and carbon footprint factor database, to solve the problems of "how to calculate" and "calculate" product carbon footprint respectively; Explore the construction of "three systems" of carbon labeling certification, product carbon footprint hierarchical management and information disclosure to achieve the goal of "accurate calculation" of carbon footprints, promoting the "downward reduction" of product carbon footprints, and achieving the goal of "supervised" carbon footprint information. In order to promote the implementation of the "Implementation Plan", help foreign trade enterprises effectively respond to international carbon-related trade barriers, and based on solving difficulties in carbon footprint management, we have mainly carried out the following four aspects of work.
First, our Ministry has organized the preparation of the national standard "Requirements and Guidelines for Quantifying Carbon Footprint of Greenhouse Gas Products" and has recently released and implemented it. The requirements and guidelines serve as the "parent standard" or "standard standard" for carbon footprint accounting of my country's products to guide the preparation of carbon footprint accounting standards for specific products. Organize relevant units to prepare carbon footprint accounting standards for basic energy such as electricity and key foreign trade products such as power batteries and photovoltaics, and release them as soon as possible.
Second, based on relevant work needs, the national average carbon dioxide emission factor for electricity in 2021 was released in April this year. At the same time, we will accelerate the research on product carbon footprint factors starting from common factors in basic energy such as coal, electricity, oil, and gas, and transportation.
The third is to cooperate with market supervision departments to carry out certification pilots for product carbon footprint labeling, and also encourage local governments to try first.
The fourth is to strengthen international exchanges on product carbon footprints, track and judge the development trends of international carbon-related trade policies and product carbon footprint rules, and actively respond.
In the next step, we will work with relevant departments to implement the task requirements of the Implementation Plan, continue to build the "two cornerstones" and "three systems," promote international exchanges and mutual recognition of the rules of my country's carbon footprint accounting standards, and accelerate the establishment of a carbon footprint management system. Promote the development of new productive forces and help build a beautiful China.
Southern Weekend: Against the background of increasingly frequent extreme weather events, climate adaptation has become an urgent task. What policies and actions has China taken to adapt to climate change? What expectations does China have for the negotiations on climate adaptation at COP29?
Xia Yingxian: As you said, in recent years, the impact of climate change on the world has intensified. Extreme weather and climate events such as extreme precipitation, typhoons, high temperatures, and extreme cold have become increasingly frequent. This year, seawater backflow has also occurred in many places in our country, giving people The safety of lives and property and economic and social development have brought unprecedented challenges. Actively adapting to climate change has become a realistic and urgent task currently facing it.
China has always adhered to equal emphasis on mitigation and adaptation, and regards proactive adaptation to climate change as an important part of implementing a national strategy to actively respond to climate change. The first is to strengthen top-level design for adapting to climate change. In 2022, we jointly issued the "National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change 2035" document with 16 other departments to make systematic plans for adapting to climate change from now to 2035. The second is to strengthen local administrative regions and key areas to adapt to climate change. All departments and localities have taken active actions. So far, most provinces across the country have issued and implemented action plans for their own regions, and 13 departments have jointly issued the "National Action Plan for Healthy Adaptation to Climate Change (2024-2030)", which has effectively promoted adaptation to climate change. Positive progress has been made. The third is to carry out pilot projects for deepening the construction of climate-resilient cities. 39 cities across the country have been selected as pilot projects for deepening the construction of climate-resilient cities, and actively explored the construction paths and models of climate-resilient cities. In addition, we are also actively promoting climate change impact and risk assessment, and strengthening climate change adaptation in key areas such as the Yellow River Basin and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
In the next step, we will further promote the implementation of the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change 2035, strive to improve the climate change adaptation work system, strengthen climate change impact and risk assessment, strengthen climate change adaptation actions, improve climate resilience in key areas and key regions, and actively Prevent climate risks.
In this year's COP29 climate negotiations, adaptation issues are an important concern and priority for developing countries, including China. Last year, the Dubai Conference reached the United Arab Emirates Climate Resilience Framework, further refining the implementation of the Paris Agreement's goals on global adaptation to climate change. We look forward to this year's Baku Conference continuing to make arrangements for the implementation of the Climate Resilience Framework, especially the commitment of developed countries to double funding for climate change adaptation by 2025, so as to enhance mutual trust among all parties.
Pei Xiaofei: Thank you to Director Xia Yingxian and thank you to all reporters and friends for your participation. In two days, we will celebrate the 25th China Journalists 'Day. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy Journalists' Day! The achievements in the construction of ecological civilization are inseparable from the hard work of reporters and friends. I hope that you can continue to care about, support, and promote ecological and environmental protection work, and jointly tell the story of China's ecological and environmental protection!
This concludes today's press conference. Goodbye!
