Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Fatih Birol said that China's clean energy drive and green industry edge will help advance the global low-carbon transition.
In an interview with China Media Group on the sidelines of the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Birol stated that amid intensifying global geopolitical conflicts, countries are accelerating their energy transitions, a shift driven not only by the need to address climate change, but also by considerations of energy security and economic development.
"The current preoccupation of many governments in Asia is the energy security. And the Iran war made many countries, many governments worried about their energy security, and the high energy prices, also a major burden for their economies," said Birol.
Over the past decade, Birol has visited China many times.
The IEA chief said he has been deeply impressed by the developments and achievements within China's clean energy sector.
"China's energy transition has been very impressive in many ways, first of all, for solar manufacturing and also usage, wind, both onshore wind and offshore wind, batteries, and at the same time, the big growth of electric cars. It was a decision that China took many years ago, and they have followed this decision. And as a result, China has become a superpower of the clean energy technologies," said Birol.
Birol noted that translating clean energy into practical applications is a real-world challenge facing all nations, adding that by leveraging its industrial and technological strengths alongside international cooperation, China has created conditions for more countries to accelerate their green transition.
"China has already proven that China can manufacture solar panels, windmills, nuclear power and others at a cost that could be accessible for many countries. And this made it possible for many countries to make use of these different clean energy technologies. And this is, of course, good news for those countries that they become accessible," said Birol.
COP31 opened on Nov 9 in the Turkish coastal city of Antalya, with a focus on translating global climate commitments into concrete action. The conference, which runs through Nov 20, has brought together government officials and representatives of international organizations, research institutions, businesses, and non-governmental organizations from nearly 200 countries and regions.
China drives global energy transition with affordable green tech: IEA chief
