China Green News Briefing: The Best China ESG Stories We Read in 2022

Happy new year and welcome to Caixin Global Green News Briefing! I am Weican Li, the rotating editor for the second briefing. This is a monthly newsletter presented by Caixin Global and the SMART Talks+ Community. As 2022 draws to a close, we want to present you with an annual review of Caixin’s insight into China’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) developments. From the 12 selected pieces of green news, we can also envision climate action for 2023.

2022's Biggest Stories in China ESG Field

January: #Carbon Tax

China Carbon Tax Needed to Mitigate Impact of EU’s Carbon Border Levies

The carbon border adjustment mechanism aims to downsize carbon footprints in the global supply chain, as an additional carbon border tax will be charged when exporting goods to the EU. While Chinese manufacturers face shrinking markets, authorities also urge the establishment of a domestic carbon tax scheme. Read more about the carbon tax plan.

February: #Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics

Beijing Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Goes Carbon Lite

The director of the Winter Olympics ceremony, Zhang Yimou, sent a global message on carbon reduction and environmental protection from performances and torch design. From 2008 to 2022, China stepped onto the world stage and bore international responsibilities. Read more about China’s delivery of a green Olympics.

March: #5th Session of 13th NPC

China Shuns Energy Use Target to Focus on Securing Fuel Supply

International chaos caused fuel costs to surge and brought uncertainty to energy supplies. The congress proposed balancing the need for secure and stable power generation with the long-term climate goal of carbon neutralization. Also, the country will continuously invest and innovate in the clean energy sectors. Read more about the five-year plan.

April: #East-West Data Center Plan

Five Things to Know About China’s Mega East-West Data Center Plan

China has launched various resource channeling projects, utilizing regional comparative advantages. Since eastern areas such as Beijing are rapidly developing a digitalized economy, they require computational power support from energy-rich western areas. Learn more about the project.

May: #The World Economic Forum

Three Ways Tech Innovation Can Help Us Meet Climate Goals

Shifting to a low-carbon economy requires technological innovation, such as AI models, to optimize energy production and storage. The World Economic Forum encourages the sharing of solutions and collaboration between companies and governments. Find out how technological solutions assist climate goals.

June: #Infrastructure Investment

Four Things to Know About Chinese Policy Banks’ Extra $120 Billion for Infrastructure

The pandemic shook China’s economic development in the global market, and the government plans to recover and stimulate the economy by supporting infrastructure construction. China’s policy banks will finance the project, which is also crucial for social development. See how it boosts market confidence.

July: #China-U.S. relations

To Keep Risks at Bay, China, U.S. Resort to Frequent High-Profile Dialogues

Bilateral climate talks between the world’s two largest economies have been suspended due to intense relationships. However, the two countries are willing to rebuild connection and cooperate on climate action, including biodiversity protection, emission reduction and clean energy development. Read more about their dialogues.

August: #Extreme Weather

Sichuan Power Crunch Sparks Calls for Rethink of Coal in China’s Energy Mix

Climate change harms social wellbeing by decreasing the electricity supply for the business and household sectors. Extreme temperatures and drought that caused power shortages in Sichuan have been a warning to increase renewable energy proportions in the energy mix. Find out the tasks China faces.

September: #New-Energy Power Plan

The Weak Link in China’s New-Energy Power Plan: Weather

Renewable energy generation is highly dependent on weather conditions. While solar and wind energy development are the pillars of China’s new-energy policy, their low reliability and pricing are two challenges to its capacity and popularization. Check out the scientific explanation.

October: #20th CPC National Congress

The Communist Party’s 20th National Congress: Actively Promote Carbon Peaking and Neutrality

Utilization of fossil fuels is the main source of carbon emissions in China. President Xi Jinping stated that China should promote a new energy revolution and actively participate in global climate action. Read the summarized report (in Chinese).

November: #COP27

China Starts COP27 With Call for Climate Aid to Poorer Nations

During COP27, nations developed consensuses on funding loss and damage due to climate change. The top envoy on climate change for China, Xie Zhenhua, emphasized providing financial aid to developing countries that suffer most from climate impacts. See what Xie said.

December: #Decarbonization Plan

China’s Local Government Set Out Plans to Meet 2030 Peak Carbon Goal

Regional authorities have established detailed action plans to meet China’s climate goal of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030. Provinces will focus on shifting energy consumption structures toward cleaner energy, starting with the industrial sectors. Click to see detailed approaches.

Voice from the Future

Smart Talks: The Environmental Impact of International Students

By Li Weican

In the post-pandemic era, anti-globalization events in political and economic sectors continuously occur. However, the global international education industry has expanded, estimated to reach 9 million international students worldwide in 2030. With more students traveling from developing countries, such as China and India, to developed countries to pursue higher education, population mobility and education institutions cause a significant environmental impact. [Read more]

This is a section for talented young people to share their insightful views about climate change. Reach our team at program@caixin.com to join our SMART Talks+ Community. You may be selected as the next young editor to contribute stories here.