UNEP welcomes China's efforts in sustainable development
- By Zhang Junmian
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E-mail China.org.cn, July 3, 2015
A United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) official lauded China's ongoing efforts in scaling up energy efficiency and renewable energy for a greener and more sustainable development during the 2015 Eco Forum Global Annual Conference, which concluded on June 28 in Guiyang, the capital of southwestern China's Guizhou Province.
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Ligia Noronha, director of the UNEP's Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, gives an exclusive interview to China.org.cn on June 26. [Photo by Zhang Junmian/China.org.cn] |
"China has already committed to reducing its 2020 carbon intensity by 40-45 percent [from the 2005 level], and is working to fulfill this commitment," Ligia Noronha, Director of the UNEP's Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, said in an exclusive interview on June 26 with China.org.cn.
Noronha noted that China's renewable energy capacity has surged in recent years. "China is one of the countries that is strengthening its renewable energy capacity, and one of the leaders in renewable power, including solar and wind, though it currently relies on fossil fuels and carbon-based energy sources."
Noronha highlighted the importance of the District Energy in Cities Initiative launched by UNEP in September 2014. The initiative serves as an implementing mechanism for the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) District Energy Accelerator.
"This [The initiative] is a multi-stakeholder partnership involving industrial associations, private sectors and international organizations. It brings together systems thinking and integration to try and connect energy efficiency with the use of renewable energy technologies."
Modern district cooling or heating networks make full use of surplus energy from combined power plants, and are compatible with multiple local renewable and future energies.
Noronha said the initiative plays an important role in helping combat carbon emissions and global climate change. She said, "Heating and cooling makes up 50 percent of the global energy consumption, so if we can really reduce that, and shift away from fossil fuel use, then we will be in a position to make a big difference in terms of global emissions."
Noronha said the UNEP would welcome the involvement of Chinese cities in this energy efficient program.
Talking about China's rapid urbanization in recent years, Noronha thought China's adoption of the idea of eco-cities will help make Chinese cities both cleaner and resource-efficient.
Noronha said, "The rapid urbanization, which characterizes many developing countries and emerging industrial economies, is associated with environmental pollution. Adopting a more ecological approach and the promotion of eco-cities, embraced by China, will be key to ameliorating the environment qualify in the urban areas of China."
Noronha believes China is moving in the right direction by placing green finance high on the agenda in its financial reform plan for the next five years.
"When we talk about greening finance, we refer to what finance will do in the real economy that is, when capital is allocated to green investments, when the right signals are provided to help improve the environmental footprint of capital", said Noronha.
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