Germany’s Economic Affairs Minister Emphasizes Importance of China in Achieving Global Climate Goals

German Economic Affairs Minister Robert Habeck has emphasized the importance of China in achieving global climate goals. During a meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing, Habeck noted that China’s reliance on coal for electricity production is unsustainable and that the country must find a safe alternative. He also highlighted the energy crisis in Europe and Germany due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Habeck stressed the need for stronger cooperation with China, stating that without it, global climate targets would not be achievable. He suggested that it was possible to achieve the same level of security with fewer coal-fired power plants. Additionally, Habeck spoke to students at Zhejiang University about the challenges of integrating variable forms of energy like wind and solar into the existing energy system.

Despite China’s expansion of coal production, the country also added almost 350 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity in 2023, accounting for more than half of the global total. Habeck proposed expanding the power grid and utilizing energy storage technologies like batteries to reduce the reliance on traditional fuel-powered plants in China. He emphasized that economic growth and climate action were not mutually exclusive, stating that transitioning to a climate-neutral economy could create new opportunities for wealth and growth.