China to encourage investment in climate change mitigation

China's top environmental watchdog will roll out preferential policies to tap the potential of financial instruments in tackling climate change as the country makes efforts to contribute to the world's climate progress amid challenges in promoting development, a senior environmental official said.

Zhao Yingmin, vice-minister of ecology and environment, made the comment on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations climate change conference in Madrid.

"China has always attached great importance to tackle climate change by proactively carrying out national strategy on the issue," he told an event focusing on climate investment and finance that was held at the China pavilion on the sidelines of the UN conference.

China has made significant progress in promoting low-carbon development. Its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP last year were 45.8 percent below the 2005 level, meaning the emission of 5.26 billion metric tons of the greenhouse gas was avoided, Zhao said.

He also said the share of non-fossil fuels in the country's primary energy consumption had increased to 14.3 percent last year.

"China made arduous efforts to make the achievement, considering that, as the largest developing country, it is confronted with huge challenges in developing the economy, improving people's livelihood, eradicating poverty and controlling pollution," Zhao said.

He said China needs a large amount of financial input to ensure that it can fully honor its commitment to contain rising carbon emissions by 2030.

"This is why the Chinese government attaches great importance to climate investment and finance and has been improving and developing the financial mechanism for tackling climate change," Zhao said.

The ministry had launched a think tank in late October with four other central government bodies, including the National Development and Reform Commission, to conduct theoretical and scientific research on investment and finance in the climate sector and offer support for decision-making by finance authorities and financial regulators.

Zhao said the ministry will tap the potential of climate investment and finance by drafting a plan on climate investment and finance in accordance with the country's climate commitment and medium- and long-term low-carbon development targets.

The launch of regional pilot programs will also be accelerated, he said.

In addition to introducing preferential policies and offering technical support for the application of financial instruments, Zhao urged enhanced international cooperation so China could learn from the experiences of the international community.

Woochong Um, director-general of sustainable development and climate change at the Asian Development Bank, commended the establishment of the think tank.

"We know that like many other developing countries, China is also facing great challenges in financing the mitigation and adaptation actions," he said at the event.

The think tank would help the Chinese government prioritize the development of the climate finance system to mobilize more financial resources for climate actions, Um said.

He said the establishment of the think tank was not only a significant contribution to China's efforts to mitigate climate change, but also served as a demonstration for other countries to follow.

"We really appreciate the leadership demonstrated by the Chinese government in this regard," he said.