ISLAMABAD (PEN) : From coal-powered plants belching smoke to vast expanses of solar panels glinting under the sun, China’s transition to green development is moving at a fast clip with notable progress. As Wednesday marks the start of the 2025 National Energy Efficiency Promotion Week, coinciding with National Low-Carbon Day in China, the nation’s transition towards green development continues at a rapid pace. These concurrent events underscore the nation’s unwavering commitment to a greener, more sustainable future, building upon the significant “peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality” targets nearly five years ago.
From the strategic top-level design to detailed sectoral guidelines, the government has consistently emphasized the integration of low-carbon principles across all facets of economic and social development.
Global leadership in clean energy and technology
China has emerged as a global leader in clean energy transition. The country now leads the world in renewable energy capacity additions and is projected to account for approximately 60 percent of all new global capacity through 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
In 2024, 86 percent of newly installed power capacity in China came from renewable energy sources, while the share of cumulative installed renewable capacity rose to a record high of 56 percent of the national total, official data showed.
Beyond renewable generation, China’s production and sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) have secured the top position globally for 10 consecutive years. It also emerged as a global technology leader in sectors such as solar panels, lithium batteries, and carbon capture, among others.
“China’s performance in advancing the global energy transition is both impressive and essential,” said Nicholas Wagner, an energy expert with the World Economic Forum (WEF), in a written interview with Xinhua.
Recent policy updates continue to refine and strengthen China’s low-carbon roadmap, especially with the integration of market-based mechanisms.
In July 2021, China officially launched its national carbon emissions trading market – a major milestone in reducing carbon footprints and meeting emissions targets. The platform has since evolved into the world’s largest carbon market by volume of greenhouse gas emissions traded. Notably, carbon-emissions intensity in electricity generation has since dropped by 8.78 percent.
New energy technologies are at the forefront of this revolution. Earlier this year, China released the fifth edition of its key low-carbon technology catalogue, highlighting advanced materials for solar cells, more efficient wind turbine designs, and innovative energy storage solutions like high-capacity batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. These innovations are crucial for transitioning away from fossil fuel dependency and building a robust, renewable energy grid.
A person is checking the solar panels at the 18th International Photovoltaics Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference and Exhibition in Shanghai, June 12, 2025. /VCG
Public action: Embracing a low-carbon lifestyle with smart choices
While policy and technology provide the overarching framework, the ultimate success of the low-carbon transition hinges on the collective action and lifestyle shifts of every individual.
The environmental awareness of Chinese consumers continues to grow. Driven by “trade-in” policies, green home appliances have become the preferred choice for consumers, allowing them to enjoy high-quality living while contributing to sustainable development. This trend was further highlighted at the Appliance and Electronics World Expo 2025 (AWE 2025) exhibition in Shanghai in March, where an annual white paper on China’s Home Appliance Consumption Trends was officially released.
This White Paper identifies six major transformations in current Chinese home appliance consumption, with “green and low-carbon” standing out as the second major and deeply ingrained trend. Propelled by the surge in energy-saving consumption, the home appliance industry has seen further upgrades in its energy-saving technologies. Notably, the application of AI technology for energy saving has evolved from early single-function optimizations to encompass a comprehensive, whole-scenario energy management system.
Furthermore, new energy technologies – like photovoltaics and energy storage – are being deeply integrated with home appliances. At the AWE 2025 exhibition, companies like Gree and Hisense have showcased photovoltaic air conditioners and energy storage systems that can intelligently manage solar power generation and home appliance electricity consumption through a household energy management platform.
By collectively embracing these low-carbon lifestyles and making conscious, green consumption choices, individuals contribute not only to national climate goals but also to healthier communities and a more sustainable planet for future generations. The synergy between government policy, technological innovation, and broad public action forms the cornerstone of a truly low-carbon future.
