(W.E. Talk) China’s green transition: 30 years to carbon neutrality, technology, and global implications
By Lin Zhuowei
(ECNS)-- As the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) proceeds in Belém, Brazil, climate change and green transition have returned to the center of global attention.
Faced with the dual pressures of accelerating climate risks and development needs, countries are seeking ways to promote sustainable economic growth. Against this backdrop, China is poised to undertake one of the world’s most complex green transitions in just three decades, reaching peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, thereby setting an important reference for the international community.
In the latest episode of the “W.E. Talk” series, Wang Binbin, founding director of the Climate Future Global Innovation Lab at Peking University’s Institute of Carbon Neutrality and a Yale World Fellow, and Edson Prestes, professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, share insights on China’s green transition and its global significance.
From innovation to application: China’s green technology model
In recent years, China’s renewable energy industry has developed rapidly. Costs for solar photovoltaic systems, energy storage, and electric vehicles have fallen sharply, with large-scale applications already underway.
Wang Binbin highlighted notable changes in the transportation sector, from experimental short-haul electric aircraft to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, and early-stage exploration of hydrogen-powered vehicles. These innovations are accelerating transformation across the energy system.
“China’s vigorous development in new energy has contributed significantly to global energy freedom, especially by giving developing countries more options in energy choices,” Wang said. As green technologies become increasingly accessible and affordable, economies at different stages of development gain new opportunities to advance energy independence and low-carbon growth.
From China to the world: lessons for green governance
For the Global South faced with overlapping pressures of ecological protection and development, China’s green transition offers an important point of reference. Edson Prestes, who has long studied Amazon ecological governance, noted that China’s institutional and practical experiences in green transition could provide valuable lessons for these vulnerable regions.
“I saw a huge difference between what I saw 20 years ago and now in terms of the quality of the air, in terms of the pollution,” Prestes recalled. “I'm very impressed with everything I saw here, like the way China deals with global problems and that China solves it with technology.”
He emphasized that China’s domestic practices, including governance approaches, technological solutions, and industrial promotion, are relevant for the global community, especially tropical forest regions. “If you find some ways to bring all the experience in that domain to the Amazon, that will benefit not only the original community, but also the global community,” he said. Prestes suggested that China’s achievements in air quality improvement, pollution management, and climate action should be shared more widely at international forums such as COP30.
From commitment to action: China’s 30-year journey towards carbon neutrality
Wang Binbin also stressed the importance of exchanges to advance global climate governance. During her time as a visiting scholar at Yale University, she noticed how small language differences affect perceptions of China’s climate commitments.
“Abroad, people often refer to China’s carbon neutrality goal using ‘by 2060,’ which leaves the impression that China intends to wait until 2060,” she said. “In fact, China’s goal is ‘before 2060,’ indicating our intention to achieve carbon neutrality earlier.”
This subtle distinction highlights differences in emission pacing and policy ambition that are often overlooked in international communication. Wang emphasized that achieving carbon neutrality is not easy for China. “Our energy structure, rich in coal and limited in natural gas, means careful adjustment. Short-term and long-term goals must be balanced. This underpins the feasibility of China’s approach,” she said.
She added that by stating “before 2060” and mobilizing nationwide efforts toward this target, China demonstrates its strong commitment to emission reduction.
As developing economies play an increasingly important role in the global emission reduction system, achieving green transition while maintaining growth is a shared challenge. China’s exploration of speed, scale, and technology not only defines its domestic path but also provides actionable experience for other countries, injecting new possibilities into global climate governance.