China is committed to harnessing innovations in big data, biotechnology and artificial intelligence to tackle challenges such as pollution, habitat loss and climate change.
The Chinese government has introduced a new environmental action plan with the aim of seeking high-tech solutions to address its complex environmental challenges.
The Asian nation said its “green technology innovation system” will be built over the next three years, to tackle air, soil and groundwater pollution, reduce waste and protect ecosystems, noting that current technologies were not mature enough to serve the country in the long term. Needs.
To fund the plan, China would have to encourage businesses and financial institutions to further support innovative green technologies. The system will also be backed by tax incentives and new “green tech banks,” the government said.
The ultimate goal of the strategy, depending on the country situation Ministry of Science and Technology, is to help the nation – currently largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world – achieving its net zero targets.
The new national plan pledges to “systematically deploy science and technology” to solve a wide range of environmental problems, as well as improve its ability to assess the impact of rising temperatures in vulnerable regions and to monitor new sources of pollution, harmful chemicals and drugs. – resistant bacteria.
The government will also support research into “deep decarbonisation technologies” in various industrial sectors, including steel, cement, thermal power and agriculture, he said.
He also reiterated his commitment to carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology to prevent greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere, including projects surrounding the use of aquifers and oil-bearing formations to contain sequestered CO2.
News of the plan comes just days before world leaders gather in Egypt for COP27. China has announced that it will send a delegation to the summit, where Chinese officials are expected to focus on persuading industrialized countries to provide a long-awaited $100 billion annual fund to help poorer countries adapt to rising temperatures.
China is currently the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, generating more than 10 gigatonnes of CO2 per year, nearly double that of the United States. Over the past decade, China has reduced its CO2 emissions by one-third per unit of economic growth and paved the way for market readiness for electric vehicles. However, despite this progress, the country’s overall emissions volumes continue to rise.
In 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced his intention to help China achieve net zero carbon by 2060 and estimated that its CO2 emissions will peak by 2030. This was China’s first major commitment to the country’s contribution to climate change.
Despite positive reactions to the country’s commitment, international leaders have in recent months expressed concerns about the country’s influence in the tech sector.
In October, the Biden administration issued a sweeping package of targeted export controls against China, while the UK government’s communications headquarters (GCHQ) warned of the country’s strategy of using technology to increase its global influence.
Sign up for the E&T News email to get great stories like this delivered to your inbox every day.
