COP29 | NDRC: China Has Established the World’s Most Systematic and Comprehensive Carbon Emission Reduction Policy System

On the afternoon of November 15, local time in Azerbaijan, a side event themed “Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction: China’s Actions” was held at the China Pavilion during the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
During his keynote speech, Wen Hua, Deputy Director of the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), introduced the notable achievements of China’s green and low-carbon development. He pointed out that China has established the world’s most systematic and comprehensive policy system for carbon emission reduction, with significant progress in energy transformation. The total installed capacity of wind and solar power generation has reached the internationally committed targets more than six years ahead of schedule.
Meanwhile, China has optimized and upgraded its industrial structure, building the world’s largest and most complete new energy industrial chain. The pace of green transformation in construction and transportation has accelerated, with green buildings accounting for over 90% of new urban construction, and the annual production of new energy vehicles having surpassed 10 million in 2024. Resource utilization efficiency has continuously improved, with the output rate of major resources increasing by approximately 60% over the past decade.
Guo Rui, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the NDRC, introduced the progress of international cooperation in addressing climate change and sustainable industries. He emphasized that while actively promoting its own green transformation, China has always upheld an open and cooperative attitude, leveraging multilateral platforms such as BRICS, APEC, and G20 to jointly address climate change and promote economic development with other countries. At the 2023 BRICS Leaders’ Summit, China initiated the “BRICS Sustainable Industry Exchange and Cooperation Mechanism,” which received strong support and positive responses from BRICS countries.
Lu Shize, Deputy Director of the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, introduced China’s achievements in energy transformation, energy saving and efficiency improvement, carbon emission trading, and participation in global climate governance, expressing willingness to extensively engage in international cooperation on climate change with various parties.
This side event was organized by the National Energy Conservation Center of the NDRC and co-organized by the International Cooperation Center.
Lv Wenbin, Director of the Energy Research Institute of the NDRC, introduced China’s recent initiatives and achievements in promoting the low-carbon transformation of energy. Tang Zujun, Vice President of the China Iron and Steel Association, presented the relevant practices and achievements of the “Extreme Energy Efficiency” campaign carried out by China’s steel industry to promote energy saving and carbon reduction. Representatives from institutions and enterprises such as the International Electrotechnical Commission, Energy Foundation China, Beijing Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Center, State Grid Corporation of China, and China Boqi Environmental Protection Company engaged in dialogues and exchanges on international cooperation in energy saving and efficiency improvement. Representatives from the China Association of Circular Economy, China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, GEM Co., Ltd., New Development Bank, and Suzano Papel e Celulose Brazil participated in thematic discussions on green transformation and sustainable industrial cooperation.