Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

Editor's Note: 

The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is being held in Belém, Brazil, where government officials, business delegates and experts from around the world have gathered to discuss priority actions to address climate change. Global Times (GT) reporter Qian Jiayin interviewed Nick Mabey (Mabey), CEO & Co-Founder of the independent climate think tank E3G, who said that Europe and China can cooperate more closely to better support global climate action.

GT: This year's COP30 is being held in Belém, Brazil - the first time the global climate summit has taken place in the "lungs of the planet," the Amazon rainforest region. What significance do you see in choosing this location?

Mabey: Hosting COP30 in the heart of the Amazon rainforest is a powerful reminder of how human activity both depends on and affects the natural ecosystems we rely on. It represents a crucial "tipping point" that could be irreversibly damaged unless we collectively accelerate climate action.

Against a backdrop of significant geopolitical uncertainty and tension, COP30 must demonstrate that multilateral action is the means by which we preserve national and global prosperity, security and stability.

GT: Prior to the COP30, China released a white paper titled "Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality: China's Plans and Solutions," which comprehensively presents the nation's major achievements in green transition over the past five years and shares China's approaches, actions, and experience. How would you evaluate China's efforts in addressing climate change?

Mabey: China has made rapid progress in many areas of climate action, especially in the deployment of renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs). Coupled with a slowdown in steel and cement production due to broader economic conditions, this development has contributed to a slowdown in China's greenhouse gas emissions growth, which may  plateau by 2030. China is at a turning point in its climate policy as it enters the next stage of absolute emissions reductions. This will require more comprehensive policies across all sectors, especially industry and buildings, and intensified efforts across all regions.

GT: From your perspective, what common ground does China and Europe share in advancing global climate governance? In which areas is there still room for new development?

Mabey: As continental-scale economies, major importers of oil and gas, and leaders in clean technologies, Europe and China share many common interests in ensuring effective and ambitious climate action. 

One key constraint on global climate action is the lack of affordable finance in many developing countries. As major global investors and pioneers in green and sustainable finance reforms, Europe and China could work more closely together to reform global financial systems in ways that better support global climate action.

China and Europe are also both highly vulnerable to climate change at home and abroad. There is significant potential for cooperation on improving national climate resilience and strengthening global systems in food security, disaster risk insurance and climate risk monitoring.

GT: In recent years, China's green technologies have advanced rapidly, and this year's COP30 has selected Chinese EVs as official vehicles for the event. However, the EU has repeatedly raised "security concerns" about Chinese EVs and cited "overcapacity" as an excuse for targeting Chinese products. In your view, what impact does this confrontational dynamic have on Europe's emissions-reduction trajectory?

Mabey: Europe faces a real dilemma: Importing cheaper Chinese EVs could accelerate emissions reductions and enhance energy security; however, if this leads to major negative impacts on domestic firms, it could trigger a political backlash against climate action - one that might also undermine the acceptance of Chinese clean technology imports.

It is in the interests of both China and Europe to agree on a managed solution. For example, greater Chinese investment and joint ventures in Europe in EVs and batteries could help protect domestic jobs while enabling direct management of "security concerns." 

GT: Marking the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, many regard COP30 as a critical turning point from "commitment to implementation." What are the most essential efforts needed for countries to move from pledges to action?

Mabey: The immediate challenge is one of speed and scale. We need to triple the pace of clean-technology deployment, especially in developing countries that risk missing out on the economic benefits of the clean-technology revolution. 

Countries need to integrate climate action more deeply into their economic and financial policymaking - seeing it not as an add-on, but as a core component of sound development. This is already happening in many regions, with exciting new economic plans emerging across Africa and from the small island states.

In response to these plans, the global community must ensure that investment can flow to these countries at affordable rates. Innovations such as the country platforms pioneered by Brazil and Colombia provide credible roadmaps for investors.

Countries need to strengthen their resilience to worsening climate impacts, which will require new financial commitments from wealthier countries and international public banks to support the most vulnerable.

All of this work must be supported by new partnerships and cooperation across regions and sectors. Coming out of the COP30, we need these efforts to deliver in a transparent and coordinated way - complementing the formal United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process with practical collaboration that drives real-world progress and demonstrates the continued value of multilateralism.