Cop28: Key Takeaways and the Way Forward

On December 21, 2023, the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) successfully hosted CCG Thought Corner, “COP28: Key Takeaways and the Way Forward”. The event was co-organized by the Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD) program and Global Shapers Beijing II Community and engaged leading experts to discuss avenues towards consensus, collaboration, and concrete action with respect to climate change. Participants in COP28 and other climate experts delivered insightful presentations, engaging in interactive exchanges with over 50 professionals from various fields representing multiple countries.

Dr. Mabel Miao Lu, Co-Founder and Secretary-General of CCG, and the founder of GYLD, in her welcoming address, reiterated CCG’s role in strengthening global governance on climate change, including organizing a side event at the Munich Security Conference (2023) and hosting a climate change roundtable at the 9th China and Globalization Forum (2023), featuring guests such as China’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, the U.S. Ambassador to China, the EU Ambassador to China, the UAE Ambassador to China, and the former UN Deputy Secretary-General.

She also highlighted the GYLD program’s consistent emphasis on climate change in its annual forums, its collaboration with the Embassy of Pakistan in China, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Dr. Mabel Miao expressed CCG’s commitment to continue these ongoing efforts and expand collaboration with relevant institutions and experts.

Mr. Ma Jun, the founder of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE), fully participated in COP28 this time, engaging as an expert in various international discussions and co-releasing two reports related to China. In his keynote address, he provided a comprehensive review of the COP28, analyzing and looking ahead to important agreements reached during the event, such as the Loss and Damage Fund and the goal to triple renewable energy by 2030. During the interactive session, he shared his thoughts and practices on how to better coordinate efforts to address other environmental challenges and climate change.

Andy Yinan Hu, Director of Corporate Communications at Huawei, shared insights from a private sector perspective on why companies should participate in climate change conferences. He discussed Huawei’s vision and the initiatives undertaken in the field of climate change during COP28. His presentation generated significant interest among the audience, leading to lively interactions on topics such as how small and medium-sized enterprises can engage in actions to address climate change.