Events
Clingendael Energy Conference: ‘China: Leading the Global Energy Transition?’ 18 November 2009
China is increasingly becoming a high profile player in the global efforts to achieve a transition to a more sustainable energy system. In recent times, China has gained quite some praise and recognition for the fact that it has been pursuing progressive policies aimed at addressing the problems that follow from its rapidly rising energy demand. To deal with these challenges successfully is of utmost concern to China itself, as well as to the world at large, as the developments in China’s energy sector have global repercussions.
Especially in the context of the climate change treaty negotiations leading up to Copenhagen, China’s proactive energy and climate policy has become part of China’s efforts to assert itself as a ‘reponsible stakeholder’ in the global political system. There is no doubt that it will remain a huge challenge to restructure China’s coal-dominated and inefficient energy system. Yet rapid progress in various fields such as wind energy, solar energy and other renewables, as well as in nuclear energy, advanced coal technology and other low-carbon industries warrant a thorough appraisal of future opportunities. As the manufacturing center of the world, the success of new energy-related technologies in China might have an impact around the globe.
The Clingendael International Energy Programme and Clingendael Asia Studies have hosted a very successful one-day conference to discuss the role of China in the global efforts to achieve a transition to a more sustainable energy system. A key selection of renowned experts from academia and industry shared insights on the various rapidly developing energy sectors in China.
The opening speech was presented by H.E. Mr Zhang Jun, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Netherlands.
An introductory panel discussed the position of China in an international context and put Chinese energy and climate change policy in a global perspective. Three more panels addressed specific issues related to China’s energy system more in-depth. Attention was given to: the status and potential of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency; developments in the utilization of coal and the promotion of nuclear energy; and the future potential of technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and other technologies. Additional themes were the related government policies and their impact, and the chances and challenges offered in these rapidly evolving markets from a business perspective.