BEIJING: China is a key player in the global struggle to tackle the climate emergency. Its calls to reduce carbon emissions are reflected in a raft of law and policies in recent years.
For the National People’s Congress (NPC) this year, there could be more progress in climate legislation, according to Wang Yi, a senior expert and a member of the NPC Standing Committee.
“This time, I think it’s likely we’ll more effectively promote the establishment of a law to tackle climate change or the relevant laws on carbon neutrality. And we say this is more a matter of the legal system, not just a simple law on climate change,” he said.
Wang said that China is closely following climate change and seeking ways to address it. He said China has been on the right track for at least two decades. But he believes the new legislation will put the country on firmer ground, laying the foundations for a green future. “The NPC Standing Committee introduced content on climate change when we amended the Law on Air Pollution Prevention and Control. Other examples are the Renewable Energy Law passed in 2005, as well as the Energy Conservation Law that is constantly revised,” Wang said.
He stressed that the goals in them are aimed at tackling climate change and increasing energy efficiency, as well as promoting the development of renewable energy.
Wang first proposed legislation on the climate crisis in 2009, but the issue is now more pressing than ever. In response, China is promising to reach peak carbon emissions in 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Wang says this will be a huge challenge.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN News exchange item
