The 1st World Conference on Best Practicing of Carbon Neutrality Focused on Practical Actions to Realize the Carbon Reduction Vision

On November 7, The 1st World Conference on Best Practicing of Carbon Neutrality was successfully held in Beijing as a supporting project of 2021 China International Import Expo (CIIE). It is jointly hosted by Silk Road Cities Alliance, China-EU Association, China-Europe Association for Technical and Economic Cooperation, co-hosted by Sino Carbon Innovation & Investment Co., Ltd., Beijing Belt & Road Cooperative Community, Shanxi Silk Road Digital Economy Research Institute, Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, and supported by Panasonic Corporation of China, Jupeng Bio Holding Group Company, Guizhou Qingli Group Company Ltd., RSBK Strategie Beratung Kommunikation AG, CIECC Overseas Consulting Co.,Ltd., China Forum, Japan External Trade Organization, World Business Council for Sustainable Development. 

Mr. Kong Quan, Deputy Director of the CPCCC’s Central Foreign Affairs Office; Mr. Vladimir Imamovich Norov, Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization; Mr. Rudolf Albert Scharping, Former Federal Minister of Defense of Germany; Ms. Claire O’Neill, former Minister of Energy of Britain; Mr. Zhao Penggao, Deputy Director General of the Department of Resources Conservation and Environmental Protection of NDRC; Mr. Ren Shuben, Former Director General of the Department of Resources Conservation and Environmental Protection of NDRC; Mr. Wang Longyun, Vice President of China-EU Association; Zhang Zhiqiang, Director of the Foreign Cooperation and Exchange Department of the National Climate Strategy Center, and other attendees from the diplomatic, political, business and academic circles attended the exhibition visit and conference discussion both online and offline, focusing on how to take practical actions to face global climate change and promote the realization of the double carbon goal. 

(Mr. Kong Quan, Deputy Director of the CPCCC’s Central Foreign Affairs Office & Executive Director of the National Economic and Social Council) 

Mr. Kong Quan mentioned in his speech that this meeting centered on the implementation of carbon neutrality goal and could also be regarded as an indirect result of COP26 - 26th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Glasgow, echoing the expectations of the public. He hoped that the mechanism established by the Carbon Neutrality Conference could become a platform for promotion, communication and practice at the national level. Therefore, the public would fully understand that the 3060 dual-carbon target set by the Chinese government is closely related to everyone's participation and actions. While at the international level, this mechanism should be expanded into a platform for dialogue, exchange and cooperation. To face the global challenges of climate change, international coordination and global cooperation brook no delay. 

(Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President and Secretary General of China-EU Association) 

On behalf of China-EU Association and President Liu Qibao, Mr. Song Jingwu expressed the warm congratulations on the success of the conference. The China-EU Association is willing to use its own resource advantages to promote the dual-carbon cooperation between China and the EU as well as its member states. The association will support the international zero carbon initiative and contribute to the caring for the planet. 

(Mr. Zhao Penggao, Deputy Director General of the Department of Resources Conservation and Environmental Protection, NDRC) 

Mr. Zhao Penggao attended the meeting and gave a keynote speech on "Strengthening Overall Coordination and Implementing Key Measures to Ensure the Achievement of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Goals" , which clearly described the main direction and implementation path to achieve the carbon goals in China.  

Mr. Zhao Penggao said, on October 24, 2021, the Party Central Committee and the State Council's issued "Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on the complete and accurate implementation of the new development concept of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality", which is the general arrangement and blueprint for promoting carbon peak and carbon neutrality. In accordance with the Opinion, the "Action Plan to Achieve Carbon Peak by 2030" focuses on the implementation of the major strategic decisions, it is the basis for promoting carbon peaking in the next ten years. In the future, China will speed up the introduction of other policies, and encourage relevant departments to organize and formulate implementation plans in the fields of energy, industry, construction, transportation, steel, non-ferrous metals, building materials and chemicals, as well as science, fiscal and taxation, finance, standards, carbon sinks, etc. These supporting policies will establish a system with clear goals, joint efforts, effective measures and orderly cohesion. 

(Mr. Vladimir Imamovich Norov, Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization) 

The SCO Secretary-General Mr. Vladimir Imamovich Norov extended his congratulations to the conference and the establishment of the International Zero Carbon Club. The SCO countries attach great importance to the issues related to green development and the promotion of cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and alternative energy. He thought that China’s net-carbon commitment and initiatives have created huge opportunities for accelerating technological innovation and modernized production. In addition, China is setting a healthy example for other countries to follow its ambitions commitment and action in the carbon emission, which will have a major positive impact on the international community and contribute to create a green and safe environment.  

(Mr. Rudolf Albert Scharping, Former Federal Minister of Defense, Germany) 

Mr. Rudolf Schalpin, believed that economic-social development and environmental conservation are interdependent and closely related. He pointed out that in the process of achieving the goal of carbon neutrality, green and low-carbon transformation in the fields of agriculture, construction, thermal power generation and steelmaking are essential. On the one hand, people must reduce carbon dioxide emissions by changing production ways and lifestyles; on the other hand, they must increase the ability to absorb carbon dioxide on a global scale. 

(Ms. Claire O’Neill, Climate Change and Energy President of WBCSD & Former Minister of Energy of Britain)  

Ms. Claire O’Neill elaborated on the key role of enterprises in the low-carbon transition. To cope with the climate change challenges, the companies should work together to accelerate low-carbon transformation and promote innovation while pursuing economic growth. 

To achieve the dual carbon goal, the enterprises play a crucial role, and technology innovation is of utmost importance. Three new technologies were released at the conference. 

Mr. Liu Shuguang, Chairman of Jupeng Bio Holding Group Co., Ltd. Introduced the technology of “CO+CO2 Integrated Bio Fermentation to Produce Biofuel Ethanol”. 

Mr. Zhou Shili, Chairman of Guizhou Qingli Group Company Ltd. Presented the technology of “Purification of Yellow Phosphorus Tail Gas and Carbonyl Synthesis of Calcium Formate”, which is initiated in domestic and has obtained national invention patents. And Mr. Zhou also showed Qingli Group's efforts to achieve building a circular economy enterprise.  

Dr. Yasuhiro Jimbo, President of So Innovation Inc., shared the "Technology of Thermal Power by Mixed Burning Biomass and Coal". 

Vision can only become reality by action. This conference focused on "practice" and pragmatic actions. During the preparation period, the organizing committee collected and selected typical cases of green practice around the world, providing experience and reference for domestic industries to achieve carbon neutrality goals. 

Mr. Fujihara Tomoki, Director of the Economic Information Department of the Beijing Representative Office of JETRO shared Japan's Carbon Neutral and Green Development Strategy in 2050. 

Mr. Zhao Bingdi, President of Panasonic Corporation of China, introduced Panasonic's Measures and Efforts to Help Achieve the “Double Carbon” Goal. 

China Communications Construction recommended Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry’s case of Low-Carbon Concept Leads the Construction of Unmanned Smart Ports and China Urban and Rural Holding Group’s case of Promote China's Urban and Rural Green and Low-Carbon Transformation and Development through Technological Innovation. 

Mr. Hao Dali, Deputy General Manager of CIECC Overseas Consulting Co., Ltd. shared The Path and Method of the Dual-Carbon Strategy. 

The organizing committee also organized the delegation to visit the booths of Panasonic, Siemens, Danfoss and other international enterprises at the 4th CIIE, to explore new technologies, new products, and new solutions that can help achieve the dual-carbon goal. 

Exploring the path of low-carbon development and international cooperation is also an important topic of this conference. Two panels focusing on the "European CBAM Mechanism and Its Impact on China's Export of European Products" and "Low-Carbon Cities, Parks and Building Experience Sharing" were separately held. The panelists included Mr. Tang Renhu, Chief Scientist of Climate Change Project of National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) & President of Sinocarbon; Mr. Zhang Zhiqiang, Director of the Foreign Cooperation and Exchange Department of the National Climate Strategy Center; Mr. Cui Zhiguang, Deputy Director of Industrial Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Research Institute of CCID; Mr. Fang Weimin, Vice President of TÜV Rheinland Greater China Management System Services; Mr. Wang Yuanfeng, Vice Chairman of Chinese Association of Development Strategy Studies; Mr. Zhou Weisheng, Professor of Ritsumeikan University, Japan; Mr. Liu Zhiqin, Dean of Shanxi Silk Road Digital Economy Research Institute; Mr. Zhao Shiyong, Chief Engineer of Hebei Institute of Building Research; Mr. Huang Weijie, Deputy Director and Chief Engineer of Arup China; Mr. Cheng Bolin, Vice President of General Aviation Branch of China Information Association. 

Ms. D.K. Sanju Rajika Dasanayake, representative of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China, launched investment demand on new energy in Sri Lanka. She invited Chinese and other investors from around the globe to grab the opportunities in Sri Lanka with the attractive concessions, especially tax concessions which are made available to strengthen the country's future energy demand. 

In addition, the International Zero Carbon Club, which is aimed to promoting the participation of all global villagers in green actions, and the Alliance of Carbon Industries for Net Zero focusing on industrial cooperation in dual-carbon were also established on the conference.

The conference was widely reported by CGTN, Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, CRI Online, China Daily, Shanghai Observer and other media.