China Deepens Cooperation with Africa on Climate Change

China is strengthening its collaboration with African nations to combat climate change and enhance their environmental resilience. This commitment was highlighted during a press conference held ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for Wednesday to Friday in Beijing.

Chinese officials emphasized the crucial role of green development in China-Africa relations. Li Yonghong, deputy director of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center, showcased the achievements of platforms like the China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center and the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition.

"Over 170 partners from 40 countries, including seven African nations, have joined the coalition," Li stated. "Joint research efforts, including studies on climate change and sustainable development in China and Africa, have resulted in the publication of various reports."

China has trained over 1,500 participants from African countries in environmental management, pollution control, the green economy, and climate change, bolstering their capacity for green development. The coalition has also promoted green industry cooperation by implementing eco-friendly technologies like photovoltaic power generation, wastewater treatment, and electric vehicles in participating countries.

Li emphasized the need for Africa to play a more active role in the global green transition to effectively address pressing environmental challenges. He noted that Africa accounts for only 2% of global green energy investment in the past decade.

The 2021 FOCAC Ministerial Conference adopted the Declaration on China-Africa Cooperation on Combating Climate Change, aiming to increase clean energy investment in Africa and support continental efforts to combat climate change. China has also signed 19 memorandums of understanding on South-South cooperation to address climate change with 17 African countries. Under these agreements, China has provided equipment such as a micro-satellite system, a solar photovoltaic power station, and over 3,000 solar streetlights.

Last September, China proposed a climate change cooperation project in Africa, focusing on the needs of the photovoltaic resources sector and the development of clean energy. "The initiative aims to help African countries address their electricity challenges," Li concluded.