Using innovation to fight climate change

Electric cars have also developed fast in China. By October this year, 333,000 electric vehicles had already plying the roads of 39 cities across China. There are also major breakthroughs in carbon capture use and storage (CCUS) technologies with the construction of China's first CCUS pilot project, which has promising prospects for power generation, displacement of reservoir oil and the chemical industry.

Thirdly, China has been expanding its innovation capacity to develop a climate-resilient economy. Even if the strictest measures were taken internationally in the coming decades, it will still be impossible to shield the planet from the negative influence of global warming. As a result, it is necessary to increase countries' capacities to adapt to climate change.

We have established a weather monitoring and forecast system, which played an important role in the drought relief in Southwest China in 2010. We have also addressed the problems of regional water resources and frozen soil with new technologies.

Bigger role for scientific advancement

To achieve China's development goal, it is necessary to balance human resources and the environment, as well as the economic and social development through scientific innovations.

Firstly, we should increase our capacity to cope with climate change through systematic study of key technologies. China is now drafting the 13th Five-Year Plan for Scientific and Technological Development Plan on Climate Change to make top-level design.

Secondly, we should evaluate the influences and risks brought about by climate change, so as to provide support for decision-makers. We will carry out the fourth national climate change assessment in 2016 to analyze the challenges and opportunities.

Thirdly, efforts should be made to create favorable market environment for climate-friendly technologies. We will borrow the mechanisms of developed countries to help combine market demands with technology suppliers.

Fourthly, international cooperation will be strengthened to boost technological innovation. And China will actively establish joint research centers with other countries, and initiate regional and global climate change research plans, both to improve the research capacity of all participants and to provide experience and assistance for other developing countries.

The author is China's minister of science and technology.

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