On November 15, 2022, at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), the Seminar on Global Energy Interconnection Pathway to Carbon Neutrality kicked off in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The event aims to accelerate green energy transition, promote carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and jointly create a new landscape for global climate governance, through in-depth exchanges and cooperation, and sharing the fruits of development. Mr. Xin Baoan, Chairman of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) and Executive Chairman of the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), delivered a video address at the Seminar.
Xin Baoan noted in his opening address, in September 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) initiative at the UN Sustainable Development Summit, offering a Chinese solution for promoting world energy transition, climate mitigation, and sustainable development.Tackling the climate change is more urgent than ever. The increase in global average temperature is already 1.2 °C above pre-industrial levels, moving ever closer to the control target of the Paris Agreement.Studies have shown that about 85% of global carbon emissions stem from fossil energy combustion, which is a leading cause of climate change.
He stressed that, the key to solve climate crisis and achieve carbon neutrality lies in stepped-up efforts towards clean energy deployment, green manufacturing and sustainable lifestyle. GEI can facilitate “three transitions” in energy development, that is, the transition to clean energy dominance in energy production, the transition to wide-area interconnection and allocation in energy distribution, and the transition to more efficient and clean energy sources in energy consumption. All these will drive the large-scale development and utilization of clean energy worldwide, and put the world on a faster track of energy transition and carbon emission reduction.
Chairman Xin remarked that, thanks to the strong supports from all sides, GEIDCO has achieved fruitful progress in GEI development. It has carried out in-depth researches on energy, climate, environment and their interlinkages, released more than 80 innovative research findings such as Resolving the Crisis, and built an international collaboration platform of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. A number of clean energy and power grid interconnection projects have made steady progress. All those efforts greatly promoted international energy cooperation and green, low-carbon development.
As the initiator of GEIDCO, in recent years, SGCC has spared no efforts in advancing energy interconnection, and built a world-leading power grid network with the highest voltage level, strongest energy allocation capabilities, and largest renewable integration in the world. The installed capacity of grid-integrated renewables has reached 580 GW. Altogether, 30 UHV transmission lines have been constructed. In 2021 alone, SGCC’s network transmitted 525 TWh of clean electricity, which means a reduction of 440 million tons of CO2 emissions, giving a strong push for China’s energy transition and carbon mitigation efforts.
Chairman Xin noted that, realizing carbon neutrality is a complex, systematic undertaking. At this seminar, GEIDCO will release the research report on The Road to Global Carbon Neutrality, aiming to provide a feasible, pragmatic and systematic solution for countries around the world to collectively tackle climate change and accelerate carbon reduction. Looking into the future, GEIDCO stands ready to join hands with all sides to jointly open up a new landscape for global climate governance, and make greater contributions to creating a green, low-carbon, clean and beautiful world for all.
A number of key speakers attended and addressed the seminar, including Mr. Xie Zhenhua, China Special Envoy for Climate Change, Mr. Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (video link), Mr. Mohammed Mousa Omran, CEO of Egyptian Electricity Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency, Mr. Ovais Sarmad, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of UNFCCC, Dr. Elena Manaenkova, Deputy Secretary-General of WMO, Mr. Benjamin Toirambe Bamoninga, Secretariat General of Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
Mr. Xie Zhenhua noted that China has been actively responding to climate change, and regarded green and low-carbon development as a crucial strategy for ecological conservation and high-quality sustainable development. China has embarked on a path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development in line with its national conditions, and made its contribution to global climate governance with solid efforts and remarkable outcomes. GEIDCO has made great efforts in the dissemination of GEI concept, planning and research, international cooperation and project implementation, and made positive contributions to expediting international energy cooperation and accelerating global climate action.
Li Junhua stressed that, we need urgent action, within and across sectors, through multi-stakeholder partnerships and multilateral action. In this regard, we welcome GEIDCO’s efforts to promote interconnectivity of energy infrastructure worldwide. We, in UN DESA, will continue our cooperation with GEIDCO and other partners, to advance joint implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement through accelerated action on SDG7.
Mr. Mohammed Mousa Omran said that coping with the mounting pressure of climate change calls for concerted global actions, such as to step up energy transition and promote renewable deployment. Global Energy Interconnection Initiative provides a great platform for sharing experience and promoting cooperation. Egypt will work together with all related countries on energy transition strategies and efforts to combat global warming.
Mr. Ovais Sarmad pointed out that this seminar is a positive action towards low-carbon energy transition and sustainable development, which can facilitate the decision-making process of parties concerned in regard to tackling climate change. All of GEIDCO’s efforts, ranging from the release of research findings, to the commitment to low-carbon energy transition, have set a fine example for tackling global climate change.
Dr. Elena Manaenkova remarked that meteorology is closely related to energy. At present, there is still a big gap in meeting the 1.5℃ temperature control target. All parties concerned need to step up efforts, think proactively and take actions towards a more resilient energy system.
Mr. Benjamin Toirambe Bamoninga noted that, extreme climate-related events are occurring at an alarming frequency, causing devastation and great losses to the people in Africa and around the world. Greater energy network connectivity can allow Africa to tap into its rich green energy, enhance infrastructure, and better cope with the hazards of climate change. It is an important step forward in Africa's economic, social and environmental development.
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema remarked that, it is essential to bring clean energy development and the shifting of traditional energy patterns into dynamics of biodiversty protection. She welcomes the efforts made by GEIDCO to advance clean energy development and power grid interconnection, and to foster an international cooperation platform for joint discussion, co-development, and knowledge-sharing. The Secretariat of UN Convention on Biological Diversity is willing to strengthen cooperation with GEIDCO and jointly advance our common agenda for a clean and sustainable future.
At the Seminar, The Road to Global Carbon Neutrality was unveiled for the first time. In line with the needs of economic and social development, this book describes the current climate and environment crisis, analyzes the significance and challenges of achieving carbon neutrality, and proposes a solution for achieving carbon neutrality through GEI development based on “Two Replacements, One Increase, One Restore and One Conversion”. It also systematically expounds the roadmaps for net-zero CO2 emissions in key areas, each continent’s carbon neutrality pathway, key technological innovations and market mechanism construction, and demonstrates the comprehensive value of GEI-based carbon neutrality scheme in the coordinated development of the economy, society and environment. The report is expected to offer reference material useful to related international organizations and governments in their formulation of carbon neutral schemes for society as a whole, and of development plans and policies for energy and power industries, and can be of use to enterprises and institutions involved in global mitigation actions.
The event was moderated by GEIDCO’s Vice Chairwoman, Dr. Elham Mahmoud Ibrahim and Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Cheng Zhiqiang. The seminar was held in an onsite plus online form, with live broadcast to global audience. Representatives of government departments, international and regional organizations, universities and research institutions, enterprises and financial institutions attended the seminar.
