Innovating Collaboration Mechanisms to Build the "Intelligent" Foundation of a Green Silk Road

The high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative emphasizes the concept of a “Green Silk Road as the guiding principle,” showcasing broad prospects for win-win cooperation. On December 12, nearly 100 experts and guests from the green and low-carbon development field, both domestic and international, gathered at the Belt and Road Green and Low-Carbon Expert Network (GLEN) Dialogue and the Belt and Road Green Development International Alliance (hereinafter referred to as the “Green Alliance”) Partners Exchange Meeting. The event aimed to share experiences, deepen consensus, and pool strengths to advance green and low-carbon cooperation, provide recommendations for achieving sustainable development, and contribute wisdom and energy toward the green transition of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Innovating Mechanisms   Experts Discuss Pathways for Green Development Cooperation

The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, held in October 2023, proposed the establishment of a green and low-carbon expert network. The importance of this initiative was further emphasized during the Fourth Belt and Road Construction Work Symposium earlier this month. The green and low-carbon expert network is both an innovative mechanism for enhancing international exchanges in emerging fields, and one of China’s key measures under the “Promoting Green Development” action within the eight initiatives supporting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

“Looking ahead, we are full of expectations for building a Green Silk Road,” noted Zhao Yingmin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. He outlined three key priorities:

1. Fost**ering Consensus: Build a broader green cooperation platform leveraging the Green Development International Alliance to deepen exchanges and interactions.

2. Innovating Cooperation Paths: Focusing on the practical needs of developing countries for green and low-carbon transitions, the Belt and Road Green and Low-Carbon Expert Network and the Green Development Investment and Financing Partnership will be leveraged to collaboratively discuss and develop green solutions.

3. Promoting Pragmatic Cooperation: Facilitate the implementation of more green and low-carbon projects in developing countries, while encouraging the participation of enterprises, think tanks, and research institutions to create a diversified cooperation framework.

Supported by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Green Alliance serves as the secretariat for GLEN. Experts participating in the dialogue represent various fields, including climate, energy, environment, finance, and international cooperation. They unanimously agreed that the GLEN platform allows cross-sector sharing of research outcomes and establishes cooperative mechanisms. These efforts support partner countries and regions in improving top-level designs and standard systems for green and low-carbon development. Moreover, GLEN offers decision-making advice, theoretical research, project evaluation, and capacity-building support for enterprises, financial institutions, and other stakeholders involved in Belt and Road green international cooperation projects.

Rui Wanjie, CEO of Rui Na Xin International Consulting, emphasized the importance of the six key tasks proposed by GLEN for advancing the green and low-carbon transitions of partner countries. For African nations, she highlighted that future China-Africa cooperation should prioritize the development of green infrastructure and related projects in manufacturing, environment, and commodities to promote ecological civilization on the continent.

Significant Achievements   Drive Continuous Green and Low-Carbon Development of the Belt and Road Initiative

Guo Jing, Chair of the Green Development International Alliance (Green Alliance), highlighted the significant achievements in 2024 across policy research, international communication, and conference organization.

Throughout the year, the Green Alliance and its domestic and international partners conducted joint studies on key areas of the Green Belt and Road, including green energy, green finance, and climate financing. Reports such as the Belt and Road Green Development Outlook, China’s Actions on South-South Cooperation in Addressing Climate Change, and Cooperation on Low-Carbon Energy Transition between China and Key Belt and Road Countries were officially released during the conference. These reports, as milestones in building an international think tank platform for Green Belt and Road development, systematically showcased progress, shared China’s green development practices,it also serves as a valuable reference for identifying opportunities and challenges in building a Green Belt and Road and advancing international cooperation in ecological and climate-related fields along the Belt and Road.

Zhang Jieqing, Chief Representative of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Beijing Office, stated that four institutions from China, Indonesia, and the Philippines jointly completed the report titled “Cooperation on Low-Carbon Energy Transition between China and Key Belt and Road Countries.” The report examined the needs, current status, and challenges of low-carbon energy transitions in Indonesia and the Philippines, offering practical recommendations. The report highlights that Indonesia has the most abundant and diverse renewable energy resources among ASEAN countries and has developed a new five-year strategy aiming to achieve at least 8% green and sustainable economic growth. However, its energy transition faces multiple challenges. The report recommends further deepening green and low-carbon cooperation between China and Indonesia by:

1. Establishing investment standards and high-level dialogue mechanisms.

2. Strengthening collaboration on demonstration projects through the Green Development Investment and Financing Partnership.

3. Enhancing cooperation on power grid infrastructure development to improve energy solutions for islands.

Partners “Join Hands” to Expand the Green and Low-Carbon Development Network of the Belt and Road Initiative

At the year-end exchange, new and existing partners of the Green Belt and Road Initiative gathered to explore topics such as green development pathways, clean energy transition mechanisms, carbon credit trading systems, and the relationship between green transformation and economic development. Practical solutions were discussed to empower sustainable development for more countries. During the event, the Green Alliance signed Memorandums of Cooperation with various partners, committing to closer cooperation in areas such as energy transition, green low-carbon transportation, and the Belt and Road carbon footprint.

At the meet of exchange, the Ministry of Energy of Honduras, China Power Construction Corporation, and the Green Alliance signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The three parties will strengthen cooperation in areas such as power planning and evaluation, renewable energy project development, clean power technology sharing, and capacity building, to support Honduras in achieving green, low-carbon, and sustainable development.

Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of Indonesia’s Institute for Essential Services Reform, emphasized that in the process of low-carbon development, countries need to strengthen cooperation rather than act individually, as only through joint efforts can the challenges be addressed.

By signing the Memorandum of Cooperation, the Green Alliance and Indonesia’s Institute for Essential Services Reform will work together within the framework of the Green Development Investment and Financing Partnership (GIFP) to deepen China-Indonesia and China-ASEAN green and low-carbon cooperation, promoting energy low-carbon transitions and green transportation development.Additionally, the Green Alliance will collaborate with the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, focusing on mutual recognition of carbon footprint rules and capacity building. It will also cooperate with the China Quality Certification Center on the development of carbon footprint platforms and rules, jointly advancing innovation and development of the Belt and Road carbon management system.