Shanghai expo helps stakeholders strive for carbon neutrality

The main forum of Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo 2024 kicked off on Friday morning, shining a spotlight on China's dedication to achieving carbon neutrality and the expo's role as a hub for stakeholders to engage in enriching dialogues, exchange experiences, and forge robust collaborations to bolster global climate governance efforts.

Themed Pathway Toward Carbon Neutrality, the four-day expo, which started on June 5, aims to serve as a dynamic platform showcasing cutting-edge practices in green innovation and exploring the trends and technologies driving the journey toward carbon neutrality.

The event is hosting themed exhibitions that have drawn together more than 600 companies from 14 countries and regions in an expansive exhibition space that exceeds 100,000 square meters within the Shanghai New International Expo Center.

The expo also includes a main forum and six parallel forums at Shanghai's Kerry Hotel Pudong, where delegates are delving into topics including green supply chain initiatives, green energy transformations, low-carbon supply chain construction, and emerging trends in carbon neutrality technology.

During the main forum, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng underscored the city's strides toward evolving into a globally influential socialist modern international metropolis, emphasizing the city's unwavering commitment to eco-friendly, green, and low-carbon development underpinned by innovative technologies.

Gong outlined strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the energy revolution, establishing clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy systems, and fostering the rapid proliferation of new-energy vehicles.

In alignment with Gong's vision, Liu Zheming, China's special envoy for climate change affairs, reaffirmed the nation's resolute commitment to attaining carbon neutrality and to supporting other developing nations in their climate change efforts.

Liu emphasized China's progress in pursuing the "Dual Carbon" goals, with targets set to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

He stressed the critical importance of sustained efforts toward these ambitious goals, highlighting Shanghai's expertise in low-carbon industries, green technologies, climate finance, the circular economy, and ecological urban planning.

Liu also expressed confidence in Shanghai's potential to serve as a model and a catalyst for local climate actions, both within the country and on the global stage.

The main forum also featured keynote speeches by Huang Zhen, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering Science and director of the Yangtze River Delta Carbon Neutrality Industry-University-Research Alliance, and Adair Turner, chairman of the Energy Transitions Commission, who offered insights into the path to carbon neutrality and the pivotal role of green innovation in combating climate change.

A significant highlight of the main forum was the launch of the CN100 Alliance, a collaborative platform aimed at fostering communication and cooperation among key stakeholders in the green supply chain. The initiative encourages participants to strive for 100 percent carbon neutrality, emphasizing the importance of collective action and shared responsibility in the journey toward a sustainable future.