Ambassador urges UK to work with China on green goals

China's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Zheng Zeguang, called on Monday for closer cooperation between China and the UK on the green transition, and urged joint efforts to support global sustainable development.

"The challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss are undeniable. Everyone can feel it on such a scorching day in London," Zheng said at the Net Zero Finance Innovation Summit, in reference to unusually hot weather and heatwaves impacting the UK and much of Europe as he spoke.

Zheng criticized the United States for undermining global climate efforts, saying: "The US's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and its launch of a tariff war created significant headwinds – not only for global economic growth, but also for climate governance.

"Now more than ever, China calls on all countries to support multilateralism, uphold the goals and principles of the Paris Agreement, and strengthen collaboration in sustainable development and environmental protection."

During the past three years, China has made significant progress in restructuring its industrial and energy systems, and in cutting carbon emissions. Non-fossil fuels now account for nearly 40 percent of the country's total electricity generation.

According to a report published in May by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, an independent nonprofit research organization based in Finland, China saw rapid growth in renewable and thermal power during the first four months of 2025. The country added 104.9 gigawatts of solar capacity – a 75 percent increase year-on-year – 20 gigawatts of wind capacity, which was up 19 percent. And it added 13 gigawatts of thermal capacity, which was up 42 percent.

Official data shows that in 2024, China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP fell by 3.4 percent. The proportion of days with good air quality in the nation reached 87.2 percent.

"Globally, China's technological and manufacturing capabilities have made clean energy products more affordable, helping countries – particularly in the Global South – advance their green and low-carbon development," Zheng said.

Noting that China and the UK share a common mission to promote green and low-carbon development, Zheng emphasized the strong potential for bilateral cooperation in green finance.

As of the first quarter of 2025, China's green credit balance had exceeded 40 trillion yuan. Between January and May, the country issued 236 green bonds totaling 411 billion yuan, including the first renminbi-denominated green sovereign bonds, worth 6 billion yuan, listed on the London Stock Exchange.

"To further develop the China-UK economic partnership, it is essential to move beyond the Cold War mentality that views China as a challenge, or even a threat, to the UK," Zheng said.

This year, China and the UK have engaged in several high-level exchanges and cooperation mechanisms, including an economic and financial dialogue in Beijing between the UK's finance minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, and China's Vice-Premier He Lifeng in January and ministerial-level climate and environmental dialogues in London in June.

"Strengthening cooperation with China – whether in trade, finance, technology, or education – will help the UK achieve its economic growth goals, reduce the cost of living, and accelerate its transition to net-zero," Zheng concluded.