Global Experts Urge Action: Harnessing the Belt and Road Initiative to Combat the Climate Crisis

Experts gathered recently in Chengdu, Sichuan province, to discuss how science and technology are vital in tackling carbon emissions. They emphasized the need for global collaboration, especially through China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), to combat climate change.

Jiang Song, deputy director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, stated that as climate change worsens and extreme weather events become more frequent, reducing carbon emissions is crucial for humanity’s future. In 2020, China pledged to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and attain carbon neutrality by 2060.

Jiang pointed out that technology is essential in achieving these goals. It helps overcome environmental challenges and paves the way for sustainable development. Countries involved in the BRI have unique resources and technological strengths, which can be combined to enhance energy transition and emission reduction.

He Kebin, from Tsinghua University, noted that while fossil fuels currently support global economies, renewable energy sources like wind and solar are more evenly distributed worldwide. However, adopting these technologies requires advanced systems to fully utilize them. Nations that can develop these technologies will lead the way in energy innovation.

Siddharth Chatterjee, a senior UN official in China, remarked that the BRI fosters international scientific collaboration. Through South-South cooperation, countries can share knowledge and promote common progress. This effort aligns with the UN’s broader development goals, showcasing China’s commitment to climate action.

Universities in China are also actively collaborating with BRI partners to address energy and environmental challenges. For example, Southwest Petroleum University is working with Iraq on joint research focused on clean energy and enhanced oil recovery. This technique improves crude oil production by injecting carbon dioxide into oil reservoirs. Their collaboration aims to establish Iraq’s first national-level carbon neutrality laboratory.

Yunnan Normal University is leading another innovative project in Vientiane, Laos, focused on biogas recycling. This low-cost initiative uses manure to produce biogas, generating about 33 cubic meters of energy daily and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 198 kilograms each day. The project’s success could inspire similar renewable energy efforts across Southeast Asia and South Asia.

As global climate challenges grow, the combined efforts of technology, collaboration, and innovation in these initiatives may play a significant role in paving the way toward a sustainable future.

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