Sino-Japanese Climate Change Expert Dialogue Held in Tokyo, Focusing on Green Cooperation

Japan - Ekhbary News Agency

Sino-Japanese Climate Change Expert Dialogue Held in Tokyo, Focusing on Green Cooperation

Tokyo, June 5, 2024 – Amidst the escalating global climate crisis, China and Japan are intensifying their collaborative efforts towards green and low-carbon development. On June 3rd, a significant "Sino-Japanese Expert Dialogue on Climate Change Issues" was convened in Tokyo, meticulously organized and hosted by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation Japan-China Friendship Fund. This high-level forum brought together prominent experts, scholars, and representatives from both governmental, academic, and industrial sectors of China and Japan to engage in a constructive dialogue on the critical issue of climate change, a matter of shared global concern.

The event, a testament to the Sasakawa Peace Foundation's commitment to fostering deeper bilateral cooperation on environmental and climate-related matters, was the second occasion the Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Fund had invited Chinese environmental experts to visit Japan for such discussions. This recurring initiative underscores the fund's dedication to building bridges and promoting sustained engagement between the two nations on critical sustainability agendas.

The dialogue featured distinguished participants, including Mr. Zhou Zhixing, Chairman of the US-China New Perspectives Foundation, and Mr. Yu Zhan, Director of the Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Fund, who delivered opening remarks that set a collaborative and forward-looking tone for the proceedings. Their addresses highlighted the indispensable role of international cooperation in tackling climate change and emphasized the shared responsibility borne by China and Japan as major economies in Asia. The assembly was further enriched by the presence of over a dozen leading Chinese and Japanese experts. Notable attendees included Professor Zhang Xiliang, Director of the Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy at Tsinghua University; Mr. Ma Xianfeng, CEO of CITIC Group; Mr. Chen Lei, Chairman of Beijing Boya Wisdom Technology Co., Ltd.; and Mr. Kenji Sonino, Chief Representative of the Beijing Representative Office of the RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, among other distinguished scholars and representatives from Japan's Ministry of the Environment.

The core discussions revolved around pivotal aspects of global climate governance, demonstrating both foresight and practical relevance. Experts engaged in an in-depth exploration of "Low-Carbon Economic Transformation," analyzing strategies for decoupling economic growth from carbon emissions and identifying new avenues for green industrial development. Participants shared valuable experiences and insights on energy structure optimization, industrial energy efficiency, and green finance innovation, offering mutual learning opportunities. Another focal point was the "Innovation and Development of Carbon Emissions Trading Markets." Both nations have unique approaches to carbon market development, and the experts exchanged perspectives on how to leverage international best practices to refine carbon trading mechanisms, enhance market efficiency, and effectively contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

A particularly forward-looking segment of the dialogue addressed "Innovation and Practice in Digital Carbon Neutrality." With the rapid advancements in digital technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, harnessing these tools to achieve carbon neutrality targets has emerged as a significant research frontier. The experts discussed the development of digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems, the application of digital technologies for optimizing energy management, and the promotion of digital transformation in green supply chains. These discussions provided innovative ideas for achieving more precise and efficient carbon neutrality objectives.

Throughout the sessions, a spirit of enthusiastic exchange and intellectual synergy prevailed. There was a strong consensus among the experts that China and Japan possess a solid foundation, extensive opportunities, and immense potential for collaboration in advancing the transition towards a decarbonized society and building a sustainable future. The geographical proximity, complementary economic structures, and synergistic capabilities in green technology research and development create a robust framework for bilateral cooperation. By strengthening collaboration in areas such as technological innovation, policy coordination, and market integration, both countries can not only accelerate their respective carbon peaking and neutrality goals but also make significant contributions to climate governance in Asia and globally.

The participants expressed a shared desire for continued engagement. They proposed that organizations like the Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Fund continue to host such high-level expert dialogues regularly. These recurring platforms would foster mutual understanding of each other's development experiences and promote practical cooperation in diverse green and low-carbon fields, including clean energy, energy-saving technologies, the circular economy, and ecological conservation. Such sustained interaction is crucial for effectively addressing the challenges posed by climate change and achieving a win-win scenario for economic development and environmental protection.

The successful conclusion of this dialogue injects renewed vigor into Sino-Japanese cooperation on climate change and sends a positive signal for global climate governance. In this era of post-pandemic recovery and economic transformation, the joint efforts of China and Japan in combating climate change will undoubtedly contribute substantial positive energy to world peace and development, propelling us collectively towards a greener, lower-carbon, and more sustainable future.

Ekhbary News Agency