Vice-Premier stresses climate cooperation

Vice-Premier Han Zheng has stressed the importance of China strengthening international exchanges and cooperation to seek the greatest common ground on global climate governance and work with the global community to protect the planet.

Han, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remark on Wednesday as he presided over the first plenary meeting in Beijing of a leading group on peak carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality.

China has pledged to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Han said the targets are a major strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee after deep considerations.

He urged solid efforts to firmly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization－a concept promoted by Xi that advocates balanced and sustainable development－and to promote the construction of an ecological civilization. The country's carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals should be accomplished on schedule, he said.

Top-level guidance should be strengthened to supervise local governments, key areas, industries and enterprises to set goals and formulate action plans, Han said.

The vice-premier said targeted policies and measures should be in place to optimize the industrial structure, promote the adjustment of the energy structure, support research and development on green and low-carbon technologies and improve relevant laws and regulations.

To ensure that decisions of the CPC Central Committee are implemented and become effective, Han said that local authorities should fulfill their responsibilities and State-owned enterprises should play a leading role in achieving the carbon peak goal.

He also stressed efforts to publicize China's determination and measures to tackle climate change issues and promote the development of green and low-carbon production and lifestyles.