Energy WG Chair Spoke at the Shanghai Dialogue on Pressing Energy and Climate Issues
2023-11-09 | Beijing
On 9th November 2023, Zhonghua Xu, European Chamber Energy WG Chair spoke at the Shanghai Dialogue on Pressing Energy and Climate Issues, a side event of the 6th CIIE 2023 International Carbon Neutrality and Green Investment Conference, co-hosted by Agora Energy Transition China, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) and Energy Investment Committee of the Investment Association of China (IAC) in Shanghai.
This Dialogue focused on two key topics. First, progresses of climate policies of major economies in the world, especially the latest trends in emission reduction targets, renewable energy investment to promote economic growth, and green innovation in major economies such as China, the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Second, clean energy trade challenges between the EU and China as well as corresponding cooperative solutions, such as the prospects and opportunities of the CBAM, and its impact on the EU-China trade.
Relevant senior experts, industry representatives and stakeholders from China, Europe, the United States and Southeast Asia were brought together to share experiences, challenges and opportunities regarding global energy and climate cooperation. Ms. Andrea Juenemann, Minister Counsellor of Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany gave an opening remark. She stressed that Germany highly values its cooperation with China so that de-coupling in the supply chain will not be an option, and that the active participation of German enterprises in the 2023 CIIE also suggested Germany’s willingness to expand cooperation with China. Mr. Fabrice FOURCADE, Chief Representative of Electricite de France (EDF) in China presented a keynote speech named Corporate Net-zero Transition Strategy. He introduced the French plan on achieving its climate neutrality goal in 2050. Under the guidance of the European Green New Deal and the Fit for 55 package, as a major nuclear power country in the world, France has extended the life of existing nuclear power units while building new nuclear power units by improving the flexibility of the power system through the development of renewable energy.
During the panel discussion, experts, scholars and professionals from research institutions, industry associations and enterprises in China, the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions on the topic of International Cooperation on Energy and Climate in the Era of Multiple Crises. Discussions were held on issues such as the role of technology in the energy transition, the prospects for bilateral cooperation between the EU and China on climate change, the low-carbon and sustainable development and de-risking of supply chains. All parties agreed on the importance of international cooperation in the energy and climate sectors, and also looked forward to the 28th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 28) to be held in Dubai to further promote global collaboration and jointly address climate change.