Cop28: Key Takeaways and the Way Forward

On December 21, 2023, the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) successfully hosted CCG Thought Corner, “COP28: Key Takeaways and the Way Forward“. The event was co-organized by the Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD) program and Global Shapers Beijing II Community and engaged leading experts to discuss avenues towards consensus, collaboration, and concrete action with respect to climate change. Participants in COP28 and other climate experts delivered insightful presentations, engaging in interactive exchanges with over 50 professionals from various fields representing multiple countries.

Dr. Mabel Miao Lu, Co-Founder and Secretary-General of CCG, and the founder of GYLD, in her welcoming address, reiterated CCG’s role in strengthening global governance on climate change, including organizing a side event at the Munich Security Conference (2023) and hosting a climate change roundtable at the 9th China and Globalization Forum (2023), featuring guests such as China’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, the U.S. Ambassador to China, the EU Ambassador to China, the UAE Ambassador to China, and the former UN Deputy Secretary-General.

She also highlighted the GYLD program’s consistent emphasis on climate change in its annual forums, its collaboration with the Embassy of Pakistan in China, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Dr. Mabel Miao expressed CCG’s commitment to continue these ongoing efforts and expand collaboration with relevant institutions and experts.

Mr. Ma Jun, the founder of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE), fully participated in COP28 this time, engaging as an expert in various international discussions and co-releasing two reports related to China. In his keynote address, he provided a comprehensive review of the COP28, analyzing and looking ahead to important agreements reached during the event, such as the Loss and Damage Fund and the goal to triple renewable energy by 2030. During the interactive session, he shared his thoughts and practices on how to better coordinate efforts to address other environmental challenges and climate change.

Andy Yinan Hu, Director of Corporate Communications at Huawei, shared insights from a private sector perspective on why companies should participate in climate change conferences. He discussed Huawei’s vision and the initiatives undertaken in the field of climate change during COP28. His presentation generated significant interest among the audience, leading to lively interactions on topics such as how small and medium-sized enterprises can engage in actions to address climate change.

Following that CCG invited young experts to discuss their perspectives on COP28 and their outlook for the future from their respective positions. Laurent Arribe, Senior Global Business Development Manager at the Bay Area Council in San Francisco, Marie-Claire Graf, Co-Founder of the Young Negotiators Academy& Sustainability for Business; Olesia Ermakova, Director of Communication for the Global Shapers Beijing II Hub and Climate Reality Leader; Huw Slater, Energy and Climate Specialist, EU-China Project Manager at ClientEarth; Zhu Weiqing, Founder of Shanghai Treasure Carbon New Energy Environment Protection Technology Co., Ltd., and Raymond Aitibasa Atanga, PhD Student, School of Government, UIBE, a climate change researcher participated in the discussion. The event was co-hosted by Zoon Ahmed, researcher fellow at CCG, and John Zhao, Deputy Director of CCG and Program Manager of the Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD).

Laurent Arribe emphasized the importance of local governments taking practical actions to address climate change and offered recommendations for cooperation between Chinese and American local governments. Marie-Claire Graf shared insights on how to enhance the capacity and opportunities for youth engagement in climate change. Olesia Ermakova shared her first time experience attending the UN climate change conference, suggesting that future events should provide greater opportunities for youth, particularly those most affected by climate change, to participate and voice their opinions. Raymond Aitibasa Atanga discussed how to better assist Global South countries, with a focus on Africa, in achieving energy transition from the perspectives of funding and technology transfer.

Huw Slater and Zhu Weiqing focused on sharing insights in the specialized field of carbon markets. Huw Slater expressed the view that there was no progress in the international carbon market’s product standards at this conference. Zhu Weiqing shared a similar perspective, and she also illustrated the rapid development and vast potential of the Chinese carbon market over the past few years by recounting her experiences attending multiple climate change conferences. She believes that future cooperation among developing countries in the field of carbon markets holds great promise.

The audience and guests engaged in a dynamic Q&A session, highlighting critical perspectives on climate change governance, climate injustice, and the emerging role of youth, enterprises, and think tanks in effective communication and building consensus. Despite the late hour and official conclusion of the event, participants energetically engaged in exchanges and expressed their desire to partake in the next round as soon as possible.