CNN:

As you said in an interview with me before the 2015 Climate Conference in Paris, the international community does not need to worry about China's resolve and policies on climate change, but of those of the United States. You said back then the U.S. might change its policies if a Republican president was elected in the 2016 election. Unfortunately, you called it right. My question, then, is after the Trump administration announced withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, what changes have occurred to China's performance on the global issue? Will China play a greater role? Some people worry that the Chinese government will loosen its environmental protection measures on greenhouse gas emission reduction. What's your comment on that?

Xie Zhenhua:

In international conferences, there are often some people raising this question. First of all, the U.S. is a very important country in the field of climate change. It is fair to say that the cooperation between China and the U.S. made a very important contribution to the forming, signing and putting the agreement into effect. However, President Donald Trump decided to leave the accord after assuming his post. Originally, the international situation regarding the fight against climate change, through win-win, multilateral cooperation, was very good. However, the political influence of the American withdrawal was quite big. At least, it affected the resolve and confidence of some other countries to some extent at first. However, that influence soon dissipated. It is known that China and the U.S. play important roles in responding to the climate issue. So, President Xi Jinping said twice at the U.N. headquarters in Geneva and at an international conference that China would resolutely carry out the Paris Agreement, and not give up the hard-won achievements of the accord. China will firmly carry out the Paris Agreement and take proactive measures. Particularly, China has clearly announced that it will completely fulfill its promises. China has sent out such a strong political signal, which helps stabilize the international efforts to cope with climate change. I attend all kinds of international meetings in the field of climate change, and all countries express their resolve to carry out the Paris Agreement, and all of them promise to implement the agreement earnestly. So, the withdrawal of the U.S. from the agreement had some influence at first, but that influence has since become weaker.

The United States has an important role in reducing emissions, and had promised to provide US$3 billion in finance for the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Therefore, the rest of the world is deeply concerned about its withdrawal, which creates a massive void up front, including a huge funding gap . However, in September, I visited California as a co-chairman of The Global Climate Action Summit (GCA) and was encouraged that at least 17 American states pledging to follow the previous commitments made by the U.S. government, and all have already taken positive actions. There are also some philanthropists who have announced willingness to make up the amount if the U.S. government refuses to pay what it pledged. It should be said there are still positive factors in American society in dealing with climate change. This year, we have seen that extreme weather does not only affect developing countries, but also developed countries, exemplified by the forest fires that recently engulfed California. There has, already, been an enormous impact, with substantial losses. Therefore, I believe that, in dealing with climate change, all countries are showing a willingness to work together, help each other, and do their utmost in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated duties. It can be said that the entire process is still relatively stable. Why is that? It is because in dealing with climate change, humanity has recognized it must transform and innovate the existing growth models and embrace a low-carbon approach – a tendency of which we are all increasingly aware. So I believe this trend is unstoppable.

On the role of China, President Xi Jinping has publicly pledged that we will deliver 100 percent of our commitments. It is not just a matter of honoring our commitments, President Xi's active response to climate change is not a thing that the others have asked us to do, but is out of our own motivations. This is an inherent requirement for China's sustainable development. It is also our responsibility, as a major developing country, to protect humanity and the earth. In this sense, China will remain resolute and proactive in combating climate change and carrying out the Paris Agreement, regardless of the position and attitudes of other countries. Many have asked about the progress that China has made in combating climate change. The following are some figures. China had pledged that by 2020, it would cut its carbon intensity by 40 to 45 percent from 2005 levels. China also pledged to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 15 percent and increase its forest reserves by 1.3 billion cubic meters. By the end of 2017, China's carbon intensity had already fallen by 46 percent, meaning that it has achieved its goal three years ahead of schedule. Renewable energy already accounts for 13.8 percent of primary energy consumption and will surely meet the goal of 15 percent by 2020. Our forest reserves have increased by 2.1 billion cubic meters, exceeding our targets for 2020. The realization of these targets has laid a very solid foundation for achieving peak carbon dioxide emissions in 2030. I am confident that we will fully live up to our commitments and strive to do even better. The difficulties and challenges encountered will not change our goals and determination.

In addition, the action that China has taken to address climate change has also promoted high-quality development. I have mentioned several figures that can demonstrate its intensity and share internationally. We set up goals on energy conservation and emission reduction to reduce carbon intensity. According to figures released by the World Bank, China has contributed to over 50 percent of the conserved energy globally since 2005. Renewable energy in China has the largest scale in the world with the installed capacity totaling 0.65 GW, accounting for 28 percent of the global total. Over the last five to six years, China has led the world in investments in renewable resources resulting in the lowering of the cost of photovoltaic and wind power generation, which is a great contribution to the world.

In addition, regarding forestation. China has the largest plantation area and a forest coverage rate reaching 22 percent. We have already reached the goal of forest stock for the year of 2020.

China has launched a national carbon trading market, maybe the world's largest, with the amount of carbon emissions totaling 3 billion tons. In comparison, the EU has achieved a market of only 1.7 billion tons, although it has been engaged in work on a carbon market for many years.

As President Xi Jinping has announced, China has established the South-South Climate Cooperation Fund to promote cooperation among developing countries.

So far, China has signed memoranda of cooperation with 34 countries, presenting them goods and materials to cope with climate change. We have trained nearly 1,000 officials and researchers from over 100 developing countries to improve their abilities in raising capital and combating climate change.

China has embarked on a road pursuing low-carbon development. The international community agrees that China's progress in combating climate change has great reference significance for other countries.

All the above aspects I have mentioned are China's policies, actions and progress for addressing climate change, and showing it is playing an important role on the global stage. Thank you.

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