Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

LIU ZHENMIN, China’s special envoy for climate change, praised Shenzhen’s pioneering efforts in carbon neutrality during his keynote speech at the 4th Forum on Carbon Neutrality Goals of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, which was held in Shenzhen yesterday.

Liu highlighted Shenzhen’s significance as a leader in China’s national carbon peak initiatives. “Shenzhen stands out as one of the country’s first national carbon peak pilot cities,” Liu said.

He added that as a vanguard of China’s reform and opening up with remarkable economic and technological achievements, Shenzhen is not only a green, innovative, and low-carbon city, but also a global leader in sustainability.

“Shenzhen has achieved positive progress in clean energy, green transportation, and low-carbon buildings, as well as its policy innovations in carbon footprint management and the issuance of green electricity certificates,” the special envoy said.

Liu also mentioned the establishment of the world’s first international mangrove center in Shenzhen, which has become an essential platform for international exchange and cooperation in mangrove conservation and restoration.

He further welcomed participants to visit Shenzhen and other Chinese cities to gain a deeper understanding of China’s green, low-carbon development.

He also expressed hope that the forum would serve as a platform for sharing excellent experiences in cross-disciplinary political actions and contribute to the goal of carbon neutrality among China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

Since its inception in 2021, the Forum on Carbon Neutrality Goals of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea — organized by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) — has served as a pivotal platform for outlining strategic actions, identifying priorities, and addressing challenges in the transition to carbon neutrality.

Building on progress and discussions from previous forums, the 4th edition of the forum aimed to maintain momentum by emphasizing smart and inclusive solutions for sustainable urban development that align with net-zero emissions goals.

The forum’s discussion outcomes will be presented at the 81st session of the ESCAP in April 2025. Additionally, the results will be reported and showcased at the 26th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting among China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (TEMM26), which is set to be held in China by the end of 2025.