Changsha Zukang, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations: Actively respond to carbon tariffs on climate trade and promote green and low-carbon economic development

In the context of today's global climate change, green economic development has become the focus of attention of the international community. Under the goal of promoting green economic development to address climate change, incorporating climate action into international trade and formulating international trade rules by imposing carbon tariffs is undoubtedly a very groundbreaking move.

Actively responding to climate change and promoting the realization of "carbon neutrality" are the common goals and actions of all countries in the world. No country or group of countries, no matter how developed or powerful, cannot achieve it independently. "Countries of the world" include all developed and developing countries. However, the historical and actual emission responsibilities of countries around the world are different, and their development levels and capabilities are also different. Therefore, the formulation of an international climate governance mechanism should adhere to the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and different capabilities. These principles must not only be emphasized, but also be reflected in the entire process of formulating international rules.

Specifically in terms of climate action and international trade rules, the current climate trade carbon border adjustment mechanism implemented by various countries is a typical "producer responsibility mechanism" for carbon emissions. In view of the differences in international trade and industrial division of labor, the international community should promote the establishment of a carbon emission responsibility mechanism and principle that "producers and consumers share responsibilities". Only the international climate trade rules established through this mechanism can be in line with climate justice transformation and be more effective. It can effectively encourage global industrial and supply chains to jointly reduce emissions and jointly achieve climate goals and sustainable prosperity in international trade.

At the same time, global climate governance is for the sustainable development of the global economy. "Climate action" and "economic development" must take into account each other and advance in a balanced manner. This is not a relationship of mutual decline and mutual growth, but to achieve higher-level and higher-quality common sustainable development for all countries. On the path of green and low-carbon transformation of the global economy, promoting the stability and development of industrial and supply chains is beneficial to all parties. Actively building consensus on multilateral cooperation and jointly building win-win international relations is the only way to solve problems.

It is noteworthy that China has always insisted on actively responding to climate change and transforming climate change goals and tasks into endogenous driving forces to promote green and low-carbon transformation and high-quality development of the economy. In the four years since China proposed the goal of "peak carbon carbon and neutrality", the actions and results of green and low-carbon development are obvious to all. Since the beginning of this year, the China government has intensively introduced a series of policies focusing on "carbon emission management" and "international trade" and made corresponding arrangements. From the "Implementation Plan on Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System" jointly issued by 15 ministries and commissions of the State Council, to the "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reforms and Promoting China's Modernization" at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council's "Opinions on Accelerating the Comprehensive Green Transformation of Economic and Social Development" emphasize the need to "promote international mutual trust in product carbon footprint rules" and "proactively align with international high-standard economic and trade rules." It is necessary to "establish a product carbon footprint management system." The so-called "international high-standard economic and trade rules" must be fair, just, reasonable and operable, and formulated with the joint participation of all parties or acceptable to all parties.

In order to promote the timely realization of the "double carbon" goal, the China government has taken a series of specific measures. In the energy field, we will increase investment and development efforts in clean energy, actively promote the development of renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower, while gradually reducing dependence on traditional fossil energy and optimizing the energy structure. Strengthen energy management, improve energy utilization efficiency, promote energy-saving technologies and equipment, and reduce energy consumption. In terms of industry, promote the transformation and upgrading of high-carbon industries, encourage enterprises to adopt green production technologies and processes, and reduce carbon emissions. Develop green industries, cultivate and expand emerging industries such as energy conservation and environmental protection, new energy vehicles, and clean energy, and enhance the green competitiveness of the industry. Strengthen industry supervision, strictly implement environmental protection standards, eliminate backward production capacity, and promote the optimization and upgrading of the industrial structure. In addition, China actively participates in international cooperation, shares its experience and technology in addressing climate change with other countries, and jointly promotes the global climate governance process. Strengthen cooperation with international organizations, participate in the formulation of international climate rules, and contribute China wisdom and China solutions to global climate governance. At present, the China government is making every effort to promote the timely realization of the "double carbon" goal, actively promote the integrated development of "climate change" and "international trade", explore effective ways for the sustainable development of the global economy, and propose China's plan.

Climate trade carbon tariffs send a message to the world that climate and environmental issues are increasingly inseparable from economic trade. Green competitiveness characterized by green and low-carbon levels is reshaping global industrial chains, supply chains and international trade rules. Strengthening energy conservation and emission reduction management and the construction of carbon footprint systems, promoting the transformation and upgrading of high-carbon industries, promoting green and low-carbon development of industrial structure and energy structure, and creating a globally competitive green industrial chain and supply chain are important measures to deal with climate trade and are also an inevitable choice to promote high-quality and sustainable economic development.

Actively responding to climate change and promoting the realization of "carbon neutrality" is the common responsibility and mission of all countries around the world. In the process of green and low-carbon transformation of the global economy, countries should strengthen international policy coordination, formulate fair and reasonable international trade rules, promote the development of green trade, work together, and work tirelessly to create a better home on earth.

The author is former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Secretary-General of the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio +20), and Honorary Chairman of the International Green Economy Association