This Jan 16, 2020 file photo shows a Uniper energy company coal-fired power plant and a BP refinery beside a wind generator in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (MARTIN MEISSNER / AP)
The COVID-19 pandemic reminds the world that no country or individual is immune to global challenges, and solidarity and collaboration are paramount, says Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.
As climate change endangers the planet's future, such a joint effort is all the more important, Zhang Jun said at a high-level Security Council virtual meeting on Climate and Security on Friday.
As climate change endangers the planet's future, such a joint effort is all the more important, Zhang Jun said at a high-level Security Council virtual meeting on Climate and Security
Zhang, reiterating that China will always favor multilateralism, called for all countries to firmly support that instead of putting themselves first, implement their obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, especially the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and respective capabilities, and build a fair, equitable and global climate governance system that benefits all.
"Climate change is, in essence, a development issue rather than a security issue," Zhang said. There is no direct linkage between the two. The solution to climate change rests on sustainable development. The international community should respect the differences of countries, especially developing countries, and help them cope with the difficulties."
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Zhang said the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN development system and resident coordinators should, in accordance with their mandates, mobilize efforts of all sides to provide targeted support for climate change response and economic and social development.
The Security Council, as the body handling international peace and security issues, should act in line with the mandates of particular resolutions, analyze security challenges and security implications of climate change for countries concerned, and discuss and handle issues on a country-specific basis, Zhang said.
Green development
He emphasized that China has been tackling climate change and implementing the Paris Agreement while fighting COVID-19 and promoting economic recovery.
"We pursue green development, put people first and make every effort to address environmental issues to meet our people's aspiration for a better life."
China is vigorously promoting international climate cooperation, advancing the development of a green Silk Road, helping countries develop renewable energy projects to achieve energy transition and green development, which is "setting an example for the international community", Zhang said
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China earnestly implements the basic state policy of resource conservation and environmental protection, and promotes ecological progress to build a beautiful China, he said. China's CO2 emissions in 2018 were 45.8 percent lower than in 2005, meeting the emissions reduction target two years ahead of schedule.
In 2018 the share of non-fossil fuels in China's total energy consumption reached 14.3 percent.
A quarter of the world's newly afforested area since 2000 is in China. "The Chinese people now enjoy more blue skies thanks to the improvement of air quality," Zhang said.
China is vigorously promoting international climate cooperation, advancing the development of a green Silk Road, helping countries develop renewable energy projects such as hydro, wind and photovoltaic power to achieve energy transition and green development, which is "setting an example for the international community", Zhang said.
"Looking at today's world, some countries' irresponsible and crazy acts of unilateralism and bullying are causing great danger. Should this go unchecked, international rule of law, equity, justice, equality and mutual trust will no longer exist, and the world will descend into absolute chaos. We must stand together and fight back."
China will work closely with others to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, security and prosperity for all, he said.
