The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development covers 17 goals, the seventh of which is "affordable and clean energy", namely: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. (Click here for details) 

Under this major goal, there are five targets, the fourth of which is "By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology".

● Current Situation

About the World

Clean Energy Brings Opportunities

Energy can create transformational opportunities. For the 759 million people in the world who lack access to electricity, the introduction of clean energy solutions can bring vital services such as improved healthcare, better education and affordable broadband, creating new jobs, livelihoods and sustainable economic value to reduce poverty. In regions such as sub-Saharan Africa where half of secondary schools and a quarter of health facilities have no power, clean energy access will help save lives, and offer opportunities for prosperity at a transformative scale.

Photo source: baidu.com

An energy revolution based on renewables and energy efficiency is urgently needed not just to accelerate economic progress and development, but also to slash emissions that are rapidly warming our planet. The energy sector today, dominated by fossil fuels, accounts for 73 per cent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Global CO2e emissions must be halved by 2030 to avoid an increasing frequency and severity of dangerous and unprecedented weather extremes, including heatwaves, devastating floods and droughts, risks to food and water security, population displacement, and loss of lives and livelihoods.

Text source: un.org

About China

Comprehensive International Cooperation in Energy Development

China pursues green development concept and follows the principal of mutual benefits and double win for international cooperation. China has been striving to ensure energy security while insisting on opening-up policy, actively participating in global energy governance and promoting high quality One Belt One Road.

Photo source: sohu.com

China has the world's largest renewable energy market and is the largest manufacturer of clean energy equipment. The wide application of renewable energy technology in Chinese market lowered the costs of renewable energy and accelerated the process of global energy transmission.

Text source: White Paper on China’s Energy Development in New Era 

●  Cases

About the World

UN Promotes Sustainable Energy Transition

On 22 July 2021, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the global electrification of the energy sector based on renewables and energy efficiency. The agreement provides the framework for cooperation in pursuit of the shared objectives to promote a sustainable energy transition around the world.

Under the agreement, IRENA and EPRI will exchange knowledge and industry specific research for example on the electrification with renewables, the digitalisation of energy, electro-mobility as well as the uptake of variable renewables (VRE) through long-term planning and sector coupling. Through this agreement, EPRI and IRENA can together identify more effective ways to harness renewable power for a cleaner energy future.

The energy transition will require an almost complete decarbonisation of the electricity sector by 2050, complemented by rapid electrification of end-use such as transport and industry.

IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook sees electricity as a main energy carrier, increasing from today’s 21% to more than 50% of total energy consumption globally by 2050. Over the same period, 90% of total power needs would be supplied by renewables, requiring an eight-fold increase in annual growth competed today. By then, two-thirds of all installed renewable capacity would come from VRE like solar PV and wind.

Text and photo source: irena.org

USD 1 billion Catalytic Fund for Renewable Energy

The IKEA Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation announced they will join forces to set up a USD 1 billion catalytic fund, committing USD 500 million each to scale up distributed renewable energy around the world. The combined funds will be overseen by a new global platform – launching this year – that will aim to rapidly channel development funds to projects on the ground. 

Photo source: baidu.com

“We have the responsibility and the opportunity to keep global warming below the 1.5°C ceiling,” said Per Heggenes, CEO of the IKEA Foundation. “Through the initiative we launch today, replacing diesel generators and coal-fired grids with renewable alternatives, we can achieve a double impact: cutting greenhouse gas emissions now and preventing a further increase in the future. By doing so, and working closely together with governments, development finance institutions, private sector and others, we hope to cut 1 billion tons of CO2 emissions and positively impact the lives of 1 billion people.” 

Text source: un.org

About China

Clean Energy cooperation with Central and Eastern European Countries

Due to the high proportion of coal in the energy structure, Central and Eastern European countries have been facing the challenge of energy transmission, which will also be the key to whether the EU can achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. Central and Eastern European countries have set their own emission reduction targets and energy transmission tasks, and vigorously invest in clean energy such as hydrogen energy, nuclear energy, light energy and wind energy.

Photo source: sohu.com

The 100 MW photovoltaic power station project in Koboshburg, Hungary, invested and constructed by China Machinery Import and Export Co., Ltd. affiliated to China General Technology Group, was officially launched and put into operation recently. The project is expected to generate 130 million kwh of power every year, save 45000 tons of standard coal and reduce 120000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Koboshburg photovoltaic power station is the largest installed capacity photovoltaic power station in Hungary. It is an important project between Hungary and China in the field of clean energy. It is of great significance to improve Hungary's energy structure and promote the development of clean energy.

Text source: People's Daily

Photothermal Photovoltaic Hybrid Power Station

The 950 MW "solar thermal + photovoltaic" hybrid solar power generation project in Dubai was designed by Energy China and is one of the key national projects of "One Belt, One Road". It is one of Saudi international power and water group.

The solar power station will use solar energy resources and is by far the largest one in the world. It is composed of 1,100 MW tower type photothermal power station, 3,200 MW trough type photothermal power stations and 1,250 MW photovoltaic power station. It is a "photothermal + photovoltaic" hybrid power generation project with the largest investment capacity, and heat storage capacity of molten salt tank in the world. Upon completion, the project can provide green energy for 320,000 families in Dubai.

Text and photo source: sohu.com

●  Background

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Initiated by the United Nations

On 1 January, 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including 169 targets, of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. Countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.