COP28｜How Chinese Civil Society Organizations Can Participate in International Cooperation to Jointly Promote Global Emission Reductions
In a situation where extreme weather is becoming more frequent and the climate crisis is becoming more intense, the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) opened on November 30 in Expo City, Dubai,United Arab Emirates. Representatives from various countries around the world gathered in Dubai to discuss how to take cooperative actions to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
As the world's largest producer of clean energy equipment and facilities, China has extensive practices and outstanding achievements in reducing carbon emissions. On the opening day, China Association for NGO Cooperation (CANGO) held a side event with the theme of " Exploration and Practices of Civil Society International Cooperation for Emission Reduction Target " in the China Pavilion. The meeting invited government representatives, domestic and foreign civil society organizations, enterprises, and think tanks. This event shared the emission reduction experience of Chinese civil society organizations, and participants of international organizations also discussed how to strengthen international cooperation and jointly promote global emission reduction.
Group photo
Aneta Nikolova, the Environmental Affairs Officer of the Department of Environment and Development of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), started the keynote speech via video. She said that the 2023 review of the Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific has found that 8 of the 10 most vulnerable countries related to climate change were located in the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, the analysis also showed that there was still a huge gap between the current emissions trajectory and that of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), and even further from the 1.5 Celsius degrees target. The transition to low-carbon development is therefore imperative, and the process of achieving this must be just. This will require greater stakeholder engagement, especially in creative and innovative solutions, but also needs to involve more women and youth in the process.
Aneta Nikolova, Environmental Affairs Officer of the Department of Environment and Development of the ESCAP
The contribution of civil society organizations is indispensable in the progress of reducing carbon emissions via collaboration between different sectors in every country. Tasneem Essop, the Executive Director of the International Climate Action Network, mainly shared her experience in participating in carbon emission reduction at the International Climate Action Network. As a network with 19,000 members, Tasneem deeply recognizes that civil society is indispensable for international climate cooperation. They carry out projects in different countries and regions and promote energy justice transformation by cooperating with local governments, issuing initiatives, and proposing solutions, as well as using community-based solutions to address climate issues in joint forces.
Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of the International Climate Action Network
Dr. Chen Zhaohui, Chief Scientist of Manbang Group, shared "China's practice of digital freight assisting road transportation carbon emission reduction". He said that road freight is the core battlefield for carbon emission reduction in China's transportation sector. The efficient and green transformation of road freight is crucial for China to achieve its "double carbon" goal. This year, 1 million truck drivers will open carbon accounts on the Manbang platform and become "carbon reduction experts." At present, based on drivers' carbon accounts, Manbang Group jointly launches green actions for the sustainable development of China's road freight in conjunction with China Classification Society Certification, China Transport Telecommunications & Information Center, China Everbright Bank, Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company, Te Laidian, Zhijia Technology, etc. This action bases on carbon accounts to build a green reputation system and jointly launch "green logistics +" services to expand drivers' green rights and benefits, consolidate the value of drivers' carbon assets, give them a greater sense of gain and experience, and encourage more truck drivers to increase their awareness of energy conservation and carbon reduction and to become the main force on the road to "peak carbon and become carbon neutral" in the field of road transportation.
Chen Zhaohui, Chief Scientist of Manbang Group
Juan Pablo Hoffmaister, from Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), shard that EDF has been always dedicated to preserving the natural systems on which all life depends. To better combat climate issues, we need to link science, economics, law, and partnerships with the private sector to create innovative, equitable, and cost-effective breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. By doing this, we can bring together people from all sides and draw from deep expertise to tackle environmental issues from every angle.
Juan Pablo Hoffmaister, AVP for Multilateral Cooperation of EDF
The panel discussion, led by Wu Yixiu, Project Director of Shanghai Ecocycle, centered on collaborative strategies for climate emission reduction between social organizations and businesses. The session included eminent personalities like Hamdan Zakari Doleh, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber China Innovation Center; Gao Yunsong, Executive Director of Social Enterprise Cooperation at the China Association for NGO Cooperation; Chiara Martimelli, Director of the European Climate Action Network; Guo Kai, Director of the Green and Low-Carbon Business Department at China Classification Society Quality Certification Company; and Lidy B. Nacpil, Coordinator of the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD). The guests shared their experiences in emission reduction cooperation and proposed that the key elements to promote emission reduction include more ambitious targets, sufficient climate finance, joint corporate actions, cross-border technological cooperation, as well as education and communication. Cooperation between civil society organizations and enterprises can better help reduce climate emissions and thereby achieve the core goals set forth in the Paris Agreement.
Photo on panel discussion
Climate change is a challenge faced by all mankind and a responsibility shared by all mankind. CANGO also looks forward to working with everyone present to discuss and implement more effective climate change response measures and contribute our wisdom and strength to building a clean and beautiful world.
