by Yi Fan

For eight decades, the United Nations (UN) has stood as humanity's bulwark for peace and development. Today, confronting the existential threat of climate change, its role is more vital than ever.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been the main forum for coordinating international mitigation and adaptation efforts, and has witnessed the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, which caps the global average temperature rise "well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels while pursuing 1.5 degrees Celsius." This mission synergizes with UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

In the face of this global challenge, China has emerged not merely as a participant but as a leading force in the global low-carbon transition, firmly upholding the UNFCCC system while forging close international partnerships for mitigation and adaptation.

CEMENTING FOUNDATION: FROM VISION TO POLICY

"Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." This vision epitomizes China's commitment to green development. First articulated in 2005, this concept embodies a profound truth: protecting the environment is a key factor in boosting productivity. Green development, a defining feature of China's new development philosophy, stands in sharp contrast with the short-sighted, dead-end approach of polluting first and cleaning up later.

This vision has yielded tangible results. Over the past decade, China has reduced its carbon intensity by more than 34 percent. While registering an annual GDP growth of about 6 percent, its energy demand has increased by just 3 percent. In 2020, China further solidified its green commitment with the introduction of the "dual carbon" goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060. Echoing the Paris Agreement, the goals represent China's solemn commitment to global decarbonization and mark a milestone in the country's green transition.

Guided by ambitious policies, China has built the world's largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system and the most complete new energy industrial chain. It contributes to roughly a quarter of the world's newly-added afforestation, leading the globe in terms of speed and the scale of greening.

FUELING TRANSFORMATION: MIRACLES AND MOMENTUM

China's green journey is etched with dramatic turnarounds. Beijing, once plagued by smog, launched a battle to defend blue skies in 2013 -- culminating in what the UN Environment Programme hails as the "Beijing Miracle." In 2024, the capital city created a new record in the number of days with good air quality. Through science-based governance, institutional innovation and regional collaboration, Beijing has significantly boosted public health and set a global benchmark for urban pollution control.

There are many other miracles. Saihanba, once a barren wasteland of sandstorms, now boasts a forest coverage rate of over 80 percent, thanks to three generations of dedicated effort, starting with some 300 foresters plowing in harsh weather with the simplest tools. This green paradise conserves 137 million cubic meters of water annually, a testament to how tenacity transforms the ecological system.

Transformations are also seen in the power industry. China's new energy sector is growing at double-digit rates, now accounting for over 40 percent of global annual renewable installations. Crucially, China's strong production capacity is accelerating the global decarbonization process, supplying more than 70 percent of global photovoltaic modules and 60 percent of wind turbines. In 2024 alone, China's exports helped other countries slash 810 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

LEADING GLOBAL DRIVE: PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION

As a "green engine," China actively forges international climate partnerships, translating commitment into tangible projects.

Its cooperation with the EU, a fellow UNFCCC stalwart, is reflected in ventures such as the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station (China), the Thrace Wind Power Project (Greece) and the Dollen Solar Park (Germany).

When it comes to the Global South, to which financing is paramount for climate resilience, China's contribution is profound. Since 2016, it has mobilized over 177 billion yuan (24.6 billion U.S. dollars) in climate financing for developing economies.

Behind the numbers is concrete progress. Take the China-built Lagoinha solar project in Brazil, which generates 400 million kWh of electricity annually, enough to power 240,000 homes. In Argentina, Chinese electric buses and new energy light rail trains are revolutionizing sustainable public transport. Such practical green cooperation, benefiting over 100 countries, exemplifies China's commitment to shared development.

Amid global uncertainties and the troubling rise of "greenlash," China remains an unwavering advocate for decisive climate action and international cooperation. China's journey toward a green transition offers not just inspiration but concrete solutions and vital momentum for global efforts.

Editor's note: Yi Fan is a Beijing-based political commentator.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.