On the afternoon of November 10th, Guangdong Low Carbon Development International Forum was held in Guangdong Hotel under the theme of “Creative Practice of Low Carbon in Guangdong”. The forum was host by Guangdong Research Institute for International Strategies and Provincial Promotion council for Low Carbon Development and assisted by Southern Daily, British Consulate General in Guangzhou, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Guangzhou Energy Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is supported by Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Committee.
Participants of the meeting include Su Wei, director of Climate Change Division of National Development and Reform Committee, Li Chunhong, deputy secretary general of Guangdong Provincial Government, Lu Xiulu, deputy director of Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Committee, Lin Yaojun, division chief of Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Committee, and experts, scholars and entrepreneurs from home and abroad. The forum was hosted by Sui Guangjun, the executive deputy director of GRIIS and the Party secretary of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. They lectured on topics such as Guangdong low carbon development, creative practice, experience learning and so on.
Li Chunhong pointed out the tentative achievements of the low carbon trial work on the promotion of low carbon development, which motivated the exploration of Guangdong on the pattern of low carbon development.
Lu Xiulu, deputy director of Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Committee, concluded the good start of the trial work and mentioned that the year of 2012 would be the critical year. We would strive to be the first in the breakthrough of a market mechanism for lowering the carbon emission. The trial work would be spread.
Su Wei talked on the policies and actions on coping with the climate change. China had effectively controlled green house gas emission and would continue to act actively. He also mentioned the ten measures that Chins took to climate change, but there were still a long way to go to finish the task in "Bali Road Map". However the situation is, Chinese government will take positive action for improving the work on climate change.
The first section of the forum was on "Guangdong Low Carbon Actions--Creative Practice". Lin Yaojun first introduced the trial work which had a good start and obvious achievements and laid solid foundation for a better performance. There were remarkable accomplishments in promoting carbon emission trading, creating mechanism for low carbon development and conducting critical and special research. As a result, the work was supported by the country and listed as one of the three low carbon cooperation projects between China and Great Britain. At the same time, it attracted social attention and created the atmosphere for all-around participation in the whole society.
Zhao Daiqing, deputy director of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Guangzhou Energy Research Institute, introduced the basic work on the low carbon development in Guangdong and advanced the challenges and orientation for Guangdong in low carbon development.
The forum listened to the voices of enterprises. Wang Jian, vice-general manager of Guangye Co., Lit. and chairman of Guangye Environmental Group, introduce the low carbon development in Guangye and their low carbon development strategy.
The second section was on the topic "Guangdong Low Carbon Actions--Experience Learning". Doctor Nigel Berkeley, a low carbon expert from Coventry University of Great Britain, talked on the work by the governments of Britain on the promotion of low carbon development, especially that of the motor industry. Their work is a significant reference for the creative thinking of governments in Guangdong.
Doctor Zhou Nan, scientist of China's Energy Laboratory of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, made a speech on "The Guidelines for the Low Carbon Development of Local Governments ". He explained definitions like "low carbon city" and concluded the successful policies abroad, based on which he tried to establish a assessment system for the regional low carbon development suitable for China's national conditions. The proposal showed a clear path on the low carbon plan for provincial and municipal governments.
British low carbon expert Jeff Swartz introduced the design and experience of the Carbon Trading Mechanism in Britain.
Southern Daily publicized the benchmarking activity in 2011--"Low Carbon in the South" and advocated the society to participate.
Sui Guangjun made the conclusion that with all the achievements, the low carbon development in Guangdong took great responsibility in industrial restructuring and upgrading. The development should be internationalized and cooperate with other countries that are experienced in low carbon. GRIIS studies the major realistic and theoretical issues in the process of the economic and social internationalization of Guangdong. Therefore, we have the responsibility and obligation to contribute to the low carbon development in Guangdong.
