Climate Change Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy

Shifting to a Green Economy for Climate-Conscious Purposes Globally

The impact of a preview of the green economy in China and how it performed during the pandemic

Author: Stacy Rebecca Juliana A

To curtail the increase in climate change, our functioning as a society has to appropriate itself to the ways of a climate-conscious world. 

Additionally, the negative impact of the pandemic has accelerated the increase in climate change. So this brings forth the urgency to shift to a low carbon economy. 

Shifting to a circular economy will push towards creating greener energy that will help inflate the global GDP by 2050. Also, investing in renewable energy will quadruple job opportunities universally in the next thirty years alongside multiplying healthcare savings as well. More upcycling, reusing and recycling of used goods through the circular economy can also accelerate the rate of job opportunities while 1.2 billion jobs globally are dependent on a sturdy and robust environment. 

China is leading at low-carbon transportation like electric vehicles, bike-sharing and solar technology. It also has a major share of the world’s wind power, solar capacity, solar panel manufacturers and wind turbine makers alongside having the largest carbon trading market. Due to this, jobs in renewable energy outnumber those in gas and oil. 

Working towards lessening the effect of greenhouse gas emissions has now become a needed responsibility. 

Technology becomes key here alongside China leading the world in bandwidth. During the pandemic, several reports have stated that people have become positive about online learning and working. 

60& of businesses were allowed to resume work a month after lockdown by remote work and automation. China must retain a green economy without returning to fossil fuels so a low-carbon structure can be developed and UNDP is supportive of it.

By raising the carbon taxes, China and other nations can safeguard the renewables’ competitiveness while oil costs attain low records. UNDP is required to be an agent of green economy and to prepare a low-carbon frame private and public resources are required. 

SDG Financing Platform was launched in China by UNDP to invite academics, business representatives, regulators, investors and social organisations for sustainable financing to create a positive impact. UNDP has also been promoting and supporting hydrogen-based clean energy and aspects that follow it. 

In China, the digital divide is clear cut with cities having 71% internet and rural areas with 35.4%. Because of this inequality, the job opportunities in the green economy through digitalization cannot be thoroughly enjoyed. Several businesses failed, many succeeded. Also, air quality improved during the lockdown. 

CO2 emissions dropped during the pandemic but clean energy and transportation can help retain low emissions as everything returns to regular life. 

The pandemic showed how a green economy works so this must become a global objective. Post COVID-19, climate change should be the focus of our recovery.

Image Source: Giving Compass 

Reference: UNDP

 

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