Insights Library
Browse TTP’s updates on the latest insights and analysis in chronological order below.
September 19, 2023
Clean technology & industry
Zhu Yulong, Automotive Industry Analyst
Chinese companies were somewhat prepared for trade-related investigations as there were signals of growing pressure from the EU. Some Chinese EV manufacturers have already planned to build local manufacturing facilities in the EU to avoid potential anti-subsidy tariffs and to better meet the demands of the European market. Following the EU’s recent move to defend its own auto industry, although Chinese companies haven’t made an explicit statement yet, they will certainly accelerate their pace in establishing overseas factories.
Not only car manufacturers, but also Chinese EV battery manufacturers have long been planning to set up factories in Europe. In the future, both upstream and downstream players in the EV industrial chain will need to further localize their investments and operations in order to tap the European market.
September 16, 2023
Energy Transition
Increasing the penetration of renewables requires a holistic approach, not just energy storage.
Liu Jizhen, member of the China Academy of Engineering
We need to be clear that energy storage is not a panacea. Energy storage will have a limited role in the new energy system dominated by renewables. The real solution lies in building a coordinated power system that includes generators on the supply side, consumers on the demand side, and the grids.
Europe and the US have completed their energy revolution from coal to oil and gas, while China is still in a “coal-based energy era” – that is China’s national conditions. We must vigorously promote the clean transformation of fossil fuels, the scaling up of clean energy and the diversification of energy sources without ignoring our national conditions and current situation.
September 14, 2023
Energy Transition
Transition from fossil fuels to renewables presents a growth path
Pan Jiahua, deputy chair of China’s National Expert Committee on Climate Change
As China’s economy is in dire need of growth drivers after the pandemic, a misinterpretation has arisen that the “dual carbon” targets should be put aside to make way for economic growth. This misinterpretation is based on the thinking that the fossil fuel industry can promote growth because it is highly capital-intensive, while “dual carbon” is an environmental protection task which is an investment without any return.
I have to say, this kind of thinking has failed to keep up with the times! The transition from conventional to new industries is itself an economic growth path. Compared to fossil fuels, the manufacturing of renewable energy equipment, energy storage, and end-use energy equipment has a longer industry chain, which can create more jobs and have more growth potential.
September 14, 2023
Clean technology & industry
“Going out” strategy becomes necessary for Chinese solar companies
LI Zhenguo, founder and president of LONGi Green Energy
Globally, countries’ demand for solar panels is increasing, while there is an emerging policy trend to support establishing local supply chains. For Chinese companies, this means expanding our investment and operation into overseas markets has become necessary. Nevertheless, building factories overseas is difficult and becoming even more complex. The implications of America and Europe’s recent policies for domestic supply chains remain uncertain to Chinese players.
September 12, 2023
International cooperation
Chinese and European EV makers can collaborate in emerging markets
Li Yanfei and Yu Hongyuan, Chinese scholars on international affairs
Chinese and European automakers have the potential to establish a successful partnership in creating new brands with global influence. Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia are actively embracing new energy vehicle technologies and building manufacturing capacities. These emerging markets not only present valuable opportunities for trade but also a new frontier for Sino-European collaboration. Chinese and European companies can leverage their respective strengths in the industry value chain，work together to develop new local brands，and introduce new models to untapped market spaces.
September 12, 2023
Climate Finance
1.2 billion RMB in South-South climate cooperation
Li Gao, Director General of the Department of Climate Change
China has invested over 1.2 billion RMB in South-South cooperation on climate change. As part of this cooperation, China has supported the building of low-carbon pilot zones in Laos, Cambodia, and Seychelles. China has also donated meteorological satellites and green products such as clean cooking stoves, electric buses and cars, and solar streetlights. China’s South-South cooperation on climate dates back to 2012. In 2015, President Xi announced a 20 billion RMB fund for South-South Climate Cooperation.
September 8, 2023
Climate Impacts & Risks
Be aware of changes in climate system behind extreme weather
Xu Xiaonian, President of China Meteorological Service Association
Beijing reported the heaviest rain in 140 years in the beginning of August. As the frequency of extreme weather events continues to rise, concerns mount as to whether the ecosystem that humans depend on has reached a new equilibrium. The global scientific community has indicated the existence of approximately 16 to 17 critical thresholds in our ecosystem, with at least half of them nearing the tipping point. One extreme weather event might be mitigated by prevention and mitigation measures. However, if we are facing a new equilibrium in which “extreme” becomes the new normal, how shall humanity tackle it?
September 8, 2023
Climate Impacts & Risks
Risk posed by heavy rainfalls continues expanding
Chao Qingchen, Director general of National Climate Centre, China Meteorological Administration
In the past, northern China had a mainly dry climate, and many cities in the region, with dense population, had relatively underdeveloped infrastructure to handle extreme rainstorms. Consequently, northern cities are highly exposed and extremely vulnerable to the risks brought by strong rainfalls.
Based on our model’s predictions, there will be an evident increase in annual precipitation in China in the future. In the north, for example, from 2026 to 2045, urban regions in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei will experience an increase not only in summer precipitation but also in annual average precipitation. There will also be more torrential rains, more days of moderate and heavy rainfalls, a greater number of rainy days and an increase in maximum consecutive five-day precipitation. As urban areas expand, the risk posed by heavy rainfalls continues to expand as well.
September 8, 2023
Climate Impacts & Risks
Heatwaves in North China intensified by climate change
Qian Cheng and his research team, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Between June 22nd and 24th, the mean maximum temperature for three consecutive days in June in the North China region reached its highest value in the historical record since 1959. In a quick attribution research exercise on this extreme heat event, our team found that, compared to climatic conditions without the influence of human-induced climate change, the probability of similar record-breaking high-temperature events occurring under current climatic conditions has significantly increased by approximately threefold, with an increase of about 1.0°C in intensity.
September 8, 2023
Climate Impacts & Risks
Humanity has entered an era marked by frequent disasters
Wei Ke, Associate Researcher of Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
For more than a decade, terms like “hottest summer ever” have frequently appeared. This year, the temperature has reached new record highs. The root cause of extreme heat lies in global warming. The systematic risks of global climate change are universal, unpredictable, and endogenously correlated. Extreme heat is just one facet of the issue. The ‘disaster package’ brought by global warming also includes torrential rains, floods, droughts, wildfires, stronger typhoons, ocean acidification, sea level rise, etc. In essence, humanity has entered an era marked by frequent disasters.
September 8, 2023
Climate Impacts & Risks
Urgent need for early warning and prevention against extreme events
Zhai Panmao, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group I; Researcher at Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences
It should be noted that extreme events are indeed becoming more frequent and intense. Until global carbon neutrality is achieved, the situation ahead will certainly be more severe and challenging. The first thing we must do now, from my perspective, is to ensure early warning and prevention against extreme events. As global warming intensifies, its impacts grow, which we must manage to minimize.
September 8, 2023
Climate Mitigation & Resilience
Decoupling economic growth from fossil fuels to protect public health
Cai Wenjia, Professor, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University
The health impacts of climate change are rapidly increasing. According to the China Lancet Countdown Report in 2021, around 25,000 people in China died due to heatwaves, which is double the number compared to the 1980s and 1990s. Therefore, we should pay close attention to the health effects of climate change and expedite decoupling of economic development from fossil fuel use in order to prevent the health damage caused by short-term air pollution and long-term climate change.
September 8, 2023
Climate Mitigation & Resilience
China’s urban planning needs adapting to climate change
Liu Daizong, East Asia Director, Institute for Transportation & Development Policy
China’s urbanization has taken place rapidly within a short period of time. Much of our urban construction has been influenced by traditional practices and knowledge, which may not necessarily align with today’s climatic conditions. In China’s national planning and construction, we may still be adhering to some norms and standards rooted in the thoughts of 1960s-1980s to guide large-scale infrastructure development. Therefore, we face a significant challenge in adapting to the changing climate effectively.
