With around 3% reduction in energy consumption per GDP unit annually targeted in the 2025 government work report, China is demonstrating its determination to pursue a green and sustainable development path. Experts and scholars from both China and abroad gathered for a discussion on that at GDToday's Business Trends Roundtable on Global Insights 2025.
"China is now the indispensable nation for everything green," Erik Solheim, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and former executive director of the UN Environment Programme, underscored China's pivotal role in driving the global green transition.
As one of China's economic powerhouses, Guangdong is at the forefront of clean energy breakthroughs by leveraging its strengths in technological innovation and manufacturing expertise to drive economic expansion while advancing a sustainable, low-carbon agenda, offering executable solutions for developing nations on a similar journey, according to Professor Zhao Longyue, Dean of the School of International Governance Innovation at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
China, a key player in global low-carbon transition
Solheim emphasized China's unmatched progress in scaling renewable energy infrastructure. "Last year, China added 280 gigawatts of photovoltaic power generation to its grid. It's double the installed capacity of photovoltaic power in the United States, the second-largest solar power nation in the world," he noted.
Solheim believes that China is now a world leader in terms of green development, as the country has also made significant efforts in this regard by adding considerable amounts of wind energy, hydropower, and battery capacity.
The journey towards green development is tightly intertwined with technological advancements. For example, breakthroughs like DeepSeek achieve computational efficiency rivaling international counterparts at a fraction of the cost.
Previous AI models relied on large-scale data centers for both training and inference. Last July, an environmental report from Google sparked concerns as well—its total greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 48% since 2019.
Zhao added that DeepSeek slashes costs to $5.6 million compared to over $100 million. "This shift will encourage the industry to adopt greener practices and set a new sustainability standard."
Guangdong, with tech innovation and industrial upgrading, is fueling a renewable revolution
On March 6, 2025, Guangdong officially announced that the new energy industry has stood out as its ninth trillion-yuan industrial cluster in 2024.
Solheim notes that the province's tech ecosystem is at the forefront of clean energy breakthroughs, leveraging AI, robotics, and advanced materials to redefine sustainability.
According to Solheim, humanity is currently in the midst of two pivotal global technological revolutions—one centered on green technology, with electric cars, batteries, solar panels, and more, and the other on the digital frontier, particularly artificial intelligence. "Guangdong is a global powerhouse in both areas."
Guangdong boasts globally leading new energy vehicle brands, such as BYD and XPeng, which set new safety and efficiency standards, accelerating the global shift away from fossil fuels. More recently, BYD has announced plans to introduce advanced intelligent driving technology into its entry-level and mid-level models.
This strategic move could significantly contribute to the large-scale commercialization of autonomous driving, signifying a major leap forward from electrification to intelligent and lower carbonization technologies, reckons Zhao.
Additionally, tech firms like DJI and Tencent in Guangdong are pioneering recycling technologies for developing AI-powered systems and the digital economy to reduce industrial pollution, exemplifying a circular economy model.
"There's no other place in the world like Guangdong in leading the trend," Solheim said.
Global South should learn from China to view climate change as an opportunity
Solheim points out that other developing nations can learn a crucial lesson from China: to view climate change as an opportunity rather than a problem during the green transition.
China, for instance, had no significant presence in the traditional automotive industry but directly leapfrogged into the electric vehicle market, with BYD now being a world-leading brand.
"85 % of all new cars in Nepal are now electric. And the vast majority of them are made in China." Solheim holds that China's new energy industry brings enormous benefits to both the environment and human well-being.
"The industry provides prosperity and jobs in China and serves as one of the main drivers of economic growth. At the same time, it is fantastically beneficial for the global community in addressing climate change," he said.
Solheim observed that Chinese companies have made significant investments abroad, bringing new ideas to various regions. For instance, they are establishing factories in developing countries such as Brazil, Uzbekistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan to produce electric cars. This not only benefits the environment in these nations but also contributes to job creation and technology transfer.
According to Zhao, global cooperation should also avoid the issue of "green tech protectionism." He advocated for shared standards and open innovation, urging nations to adopt a cooperative and inclusive approach rather than protectionism that restricts trade or investment in specific industries, as this would hinder the global dissemination of green technologies.
A practical means to achieve this, he suggested, is by establishing international standards and regulations that facilitate smooth trade and ensure green technologies are safe, effective, and compatible across diverse regions. "In this endeavor, China, especially Guangdong Province, can play a pivotal role in promoting the exchange of ideas, resources, and expertise."
Reporter | Chen Jinxia
Video | Pan Jiajun
Cameraman | Pan Jiajun, Liang Zijian
Poster | Cai Junru
Editor | Ouyang Yan, Hu Nan, James, Shenhe
Dai Bosi also contributed to the article.
