Zhang Xingying, deputy director of the China Meteorological Administration Science and Technology and Climate Change Office and a member of CPPCC Photo: VCG

In the midst of a major global warming crisis, China's installed capacity of renewable energy has become the largest in the world, with 25 percent of the world's new green area coming from China, Zhang Xingying, deputy director of the China Meteorological Administration Science and Technology and Climate Change Office, told the media on sidelines of the two sessions on March 4.

Zhang, also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, stated that China is the only country operating four near-Earth orbit meteorological satellites in distinct orbits: early morning, morning, afternoon, and non-sun-synchronous. These satellites offer real-time Earth observation data to 129 countries worldwide.

2023 was the hottest year globally since records began in 1850, and the significant warming has resulted in a high incidence of extreme disaster events in the world, while climate change has become a common challenge for all mankind. 

In the face of the increasing frequency of extreme and hazardous weather events, Zhang said that the most effective method for human societies is to implement early warning systems, which can reduce disaster losses by as much as 30 percent with just 24 hours of advance warning. Early warnings not only save lives, but also provide at least a 10-fold return on investment.

Zhang added that China has gradually set up a national early warning release system since 2015, forming a working mechanism for disaster prevention and relief that is government-led. China was also one of the first parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and organized 106 events to share with the world China's experience and practices in climate governance and response during the 28th Conference of the Parties held in Dubai.

China has built a multi-hazard early warning system for Asia, which provides technical support and assistance in disaster warnings for Asia and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

"I rushed to Switzerland to participate in the government review of the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change the day after the two sessions closed last year," said Zhang. "The 10-year scientific assessment report study shows that the climate risk will be more complex and difficult to manage in the future."

Zhang said that production also poses a great threat due to global climate change. Some of China's main grain producing areas have suffered from flooding, but in the face of disasters, multiple measures are being used to enhance early warning capabilities to effectively reduce losses. 

"We must uphold the concept of the community of human destiny, and join hands to deal with challenges in the field of climate and environment, to protect the blue planet," said Zhang.

Global Times