Stepping up with China's green and low-carbon development
The bilingual thematic report was the first of its kind jointly developed by an academic think tank and a media think tank, integrating the latest insights from both academia and industry on China's green and low-carbon development.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
The report was officially released at the seminar on China's 'Green and Low-Carbon Development: Vision and Action', which was jointly hosted by Tsinghua ICCSD and Global Times Online in Beijing, China.
More than 30 representatives from international organisations, such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the European Commission, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and Harvard University, attended the event.
They witnessed the release of the report and engaged in in-depth discussions on China's green and low-carbon practices, opportunities for international cooperation, and global climate governance.
The report not only summarised the logic and achievements of China's green transition but also systematically reviewed the country's policy framework, domestic actions, and international cooperation under the dual carbon goals.
Through case studies and strategic recommendations, the report provides replicable practices for developing countries and unveils Chinese insights to global climate governance.
The report features five exemplary case studies, illustrating China's multifaceted pathways to green and low-carbon development.
One case is the China-Africa agricultural cooperation. The report highlights efforts such as those made by the team led by globally renowned Chinese agronomist Yuan Longping to promote hybrid rice in Madagascar. In recognition of China's efforts to help Africa enhance food security and climate resilience, the achievements of the team's hybrid rice demonstration project were even featured on the local currency.
Another case focuses on the transformation of the power sector. China was developing a new energy-dominated power system, guiding the transition of coal-fired power plants towards flexible peak-load regulation through policy support and technological innovation.
Green finance innovation was also a key area highlighted in the report. Huzhou, a city in east China's Zhejiang Province and one of the country's first green finance pilot zones, has established a digital platform and standardised system to support sustainable finance.
In ecological governance, China's project to stabilise the edge of the Taklamakan Desert has built a 3,000-kilometer green shelterbelt over 40 years, pioneering a "who invests, who benefits" model for desertification control, while driving the growth of local industries.
The report introduces state-owned enterprise transformation with the China Energy Investment Corporation (China Energy) facilitating the transition of high-carbon assets into low-carbon benchmarks through coal-fired power modernisation, renewable energy expansion, and innovative technology applications.
The research report aimed to highlight China's practical achievements in harmonizing green growth with economic development, stressing the country's commitment to deepening international cooperation in an open and inclusive manner and providing guidance for stakeholders concerned with green and low-carbon transition and global climate governance.
At the seminar, experts from both China and abroad discussed the progress of global climate governance and China's growing role in driving green transitions.
They emphasised China's dual-track approach to international cooperation—North-South and South-South—, which contributed to China's solutions to building a fair and equitable global climate governance framework.
Representatives from various industries also shared practical experiences. A delegation from Wuxi city in east China's Jiangsu Province introduced the city's 'Eight Major Action Measures' for Taihu Lake Governance, which ensure regional drinking water safety and prevent lake eutrophication.
A representative from CRCC Development Group Corporation Limited, a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, shared on desertification control efforts in Hetian, Xinjiang, demonstrating how developing the sand industry can supports both ecological restoration and economic growth.
It's widely believed that the seminar and release of the report has provided a valuable platform for international exchange among experts and scholars and offered insights and solutions for advancing green and low-carbon development.
DAILY NEWS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
New African law to safeguard children from online threats
A new model law is being developed for the African Union to protect children online across the continent, the Y20 Summit currently under way in Ekurhuleni heard on Wednesday. Image: Supplied A new continent-wide law to protect children and youth from sexual violence, grooming, cyber bullying, and trafficking across online platforms is on the cards. This emerged during a panel discussion titled 'Brave Movement – Beyond the Screen: AI (artificial intelligence), Online Safety, and Skills for a Safer Digital Future' at the Y20 Summit at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday. ChildFund International's senior advocacy manager: Africa and liaison to the African Union, Joshua Ongwae, said the international development organisation was supporting the continental body to develop a model law on child and youth online safety, and that it will be finalised by the end of the coming year. He stated that child online safety is a transnational issue requiring collaboration among African countries. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ According to Ongwae, they also encourage tech developers to adopt safety by design, which has a section in the proposed model law. He explained that the initiative started with sexual violence but now included grooming, cyber bullying, and trafficking. 'Once the model law is approved, young people advocate in their countries and ensure that there is budget allocation for child and youth online safety,' Ongwae added. He said the model law was still open to adding many other issues, which were raised at the summit. However, Ongwae also noted that they were conscious that the model law is not used to ban people from expressing themselves as well as political speech. Sheila Makhado of the Brave Movement, a global movement of survivors and allies working to end sexual violence against children and adolescents, said not much action is taken against online violence and not only cyber bullying and doxxing. She said the perpetrators were professional and they hack phones, but there are no repercussions. 'If it does not stop with me, it will definitely continue with the next person,' warned Makhado. She added that all users had a duty to create a safe environment online and always be aware of safety features of the platforms they use. Bhavna Lutchman of Childline South Africa said online child sexual exploitation has changed and with the advent of AI, the changes are immense with deep fakes and misinformation. 'We need to start changing how we think about things,' she said. Lutchman said as the internet does not come with an instruction manual, digital literacy and skills are needed to maintain children's safety online.
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
Nedbank denies allegations of rand manipulation by Competition Commission
The Constitutional Court in Johannesburg heard arguments by various banks, including Nedbank, that it was not part of a conspiracy to manipulate the rand/US dollar. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers Due to the cryptic nature of the allegations against Nedbank by the Competition Commission that this bank was part of a conspiracy to manipulate the rand, Nedbank has no case to answer as there is not a shred of evidence regarding any wrongdoing against it. This is according to Advocate Anthony Gotz SC, who on Wednesday told the Constitutional Court that Nedbank should never have been added as a respondent in the Competition Commission's referral of the matter to the tribunal. This argument follows the Competition Commission's appeal following last year's judgment in which the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) cleared 13 banks - including Nedbank - from facing the music in a later trial regarding the rand/US dollar manipulation saga. Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, acting on behalf of the Competition Commission, on Monday told the Constitutional Court that there is enough evidence to establish a prima facie case that they were involved in the manipulation of the rand. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Competition Commission, in its initial referral of the complaint to the Competition Tribunal, did not list Nedbank as one of the suspects. It, however, amended its referral in 2020 during which Nedbank was included as one of the alleged conspirators of the rigging of the rand. Gotz said in its application to join Nedbank, the commission pleaded a broad conspiracy against the bank, but the allegations were narrow. The allegations were based solely on the commission's assessment regarding trading data on the Reuters platform. This platform does not reflect trades - it's a public platform which simply indicates the prices at which traders are willing to buy and sell currency, Gotz said. According to him, the case against Nedbank is based on the commission's assessment of trading data over six years. 'This is not a case of Nedbank being a participant in any chatroom - in this respect Nedbank is different from the other respondents,' Gotz said. He argued that the allegations against Nedbank are skeletal and there are only a few instances which lasted minutes each on the Reuters platform, on which the commission is now relying. Gotz said these allegations are not made specifically against Nedbank, but against other banks that they had withheld quotes. This, he argued, is definitely not enough to establish that Nedbank was part of any conspiracy to rig the rand. He questioned how it could be suggested that this bank was part of an international cartel. Gotz also pointed out that the few instances the commission is relying on happened six months to a year apart. 'The commission cannot make allegations in the air. We accept that in cartel cases, it is difficult to identify each perpetrator, but this is not a licence for the commission to do what it has done,' he argued.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
SARS wants a slice of your offshore retirement savings
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and National Treasury have published draft legislation aimed at changing tax rules for foreign retirement funds. Image: IOL/Ron Ai The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and National Treasury have published draft legislation aimed at changing tax rules for foreign retirement funds. According to Tax Consulting SA, if passed, the amendment would repeal the existing exemption, which has been in effect since March 1, 2017, and is expected to take effect from March 1, 2026. This change would allow SARS to tax retirement lump sums, pensions, and annuities received from foreign sources by South African tax residents. Currently, South Africans don't pay tax on foreign retirement funds to avoid being taxed twice. However, Treasury has insisted this rule allows some retirement money to slip through untaxed, costing the government revenue. The proposed amendment would repeal the existing exemption in section 10(1)(gC)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, effectively bringing foreign retirement benefits into South Africa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Treasury has previously said that "the exemption may result in double non-taxation, particularly where the foreign jurisdiction does not tax the retirement income due to domestic law or tax treaty limitations." "In these cases, neither South Africa nor the foreign jurisdiction imposes tax on the retirement benefit. This undermines South Africa's residence-based system of taxation and leads to revenue forgone to the fiscus." Treasury has also previously warned that by maintaining the exemption, South Africa sometimes loses its exclusive right to tax foreign retirement benefits under double taxation agreements. Tax Consulting South Africa has also urged South African expatriates and foreigners relocating to South Africa to seek advice from qualified tax professionals experienced in cross-border taxation. "As retirement planning is a key principle of personal financial planning, South African expatriates and foreigners relocating to South Africa should consult qualified tax professionals experienced in cross-border taxation. "With the legislative cycle progressing, it will also be a make-or-break for taxpayers to stay up to date on any changes that will affect their foreign retirement income and plan accordingly on a more urgent basis than they may have liked." The deadline to submit comments on the proposed amendments is September 12, 2025. Comments must be sent to: National Treasury's tax policy depository at 2025AnnexCProp@ SARS at 2025legislationcomments@ IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
