Sustainability

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

China drives global electric bus boom
Almost every electric bus in the world is on the road in China. The People's Republic is therefore driving global development with its subsidy policy. The EU can also learn lessons from China's e-bus boom. continue reading →
Hebei: steel production with hydrogen
Steelmaker Hebei Iron and Steel (Hisco) commissioned the first phase of its hydrogen-powered steelmaking demonstration project. The new plant in Xuangang, located north of Beijing, is capable of producing 1.2 million metric tons, according to local reports. It is powered by a hydrogen-enriched synthesis gas – known as coke oven gases. The plant is designed […] continue reading →
COP15: Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework passed
After some tough negotiations, the member states of the COP15 Biodiversity Conference under the Chinese presidency adopted an agreement on global species conservation. Chinese Environment Minister Huang Runqiu declared the “Kunming-Montreal” agreement adopted on Monday night in the Canadian city. Among other things, it stipulates that member states must declare around 30 percent of the […] continue reading →
Tough negotiations in split biodiversity COP
In Montreal, Canada, the signatories to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity are negotiating an agreement on species conservation – under Chinese presidency. Beijing may sound committed, but to make COP15 a big success, a lot still needs to happen. continue reading →
China refuses contribution to aid fund at COP27
The EU wants China, a wealthy climate polluter, to pay into the climate fund for developing countries. At COP27, Beijing was initially unwilling to do so, arguing that it is still an emerging economy. But the financial basis of the instrument must be broadened quickly. continue reading →
China nears emissions peak – but needs to step up efforts
China's CO2 emissions have been falling for four quarters. The Covid pandemic and the real estate crisis are curbing economic growth. Provinces lack money for economic stimulus programs. Carbon-heavy industries announce new climate plans. The largest emitter could soon reach its emission peak – and urgently so in order to meet the Paris climate targets. continue reading →
China is willing to compensate poor countries for climate damage
China would be willing to contribute financially to a compensation mechanism for poorer countries for losses and damages caused by climate change. Chinese climate envoy Xie Zhenhua said at the United Nations COP27 climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Wednesday. “It is not the obligation of China but we are willing to make our […] continue reading →
Xie Zhenhua – China’s climate czar
Xie Zhenhua was actually already in political retirement. But then the climate expert’s career really took off again. When it came to defining the long-term climate targets of the largest CO2 emitter, Xie played an important role. With his decades of experience, it’s hard to imagine Chinese climate policy without him. Now he is taking […] continue reading →
Emissions to remain cheap on the market
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment started the next phase of emissions trading. It is currently seeking the opinions of market participants on its draft for carbon pricing. Analysts at research firm Refinitiv call the plans “toothless” because they keep the costs too low for power plants and companies. The government’s new plans also take […] continue reading →
Shanghai is running out of water
To secure the water supply, Shanghai took emergency measures. Following the contamination of two large reservoirs by salt water, the water supply for the coastal city’s 25 million inhabitants had to be temporarily suspended. Qingcaosha, the city’s largest reservoir, supplies water to some 13 million residents in 11 of the 16 districts. Chenhang is the […] continue reading →
Nis Gruenberg – travel fever with no chance for a fast cure
The impressions of his first trip to China have left a lasting impression on Nis Gruenberg. Even today, when he thinks back on it, he is overcome with such intense emotion that the half-Dane is left speechless. “Mindblowing,” the lead analyst of the Berlin research institute Merics told China.Table instead: simply overwhelming. That was 18 […] continue reading →
Xie Zhenhua: China’s new climate envoy
Beijing has appointed Xie Zhenhua as special envoy for climate issues, according to media reports. The environment ministry did not initially confirm the appointment details. Xie had been Beijing’s climate negotiator for more than a decade until early 2020, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. He then became a special adviser at the environment […] continue reading →