Chinese and African climate specialists reinforced the urgency of clean energy adoption during a high-level dialogue at the seventh United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) this week. The experts emphasized that accelerating renewable energy investments is critical to mitigating climate impacts while supporting sustainable development across the Global South.
Speaking at a December 8 side event in Nairobi, participants highlighted how solar, wind, and hydropower projects could simultaneously reduce emissions and create jobs. 'This transition isn’t just about technology – it’s about building climate-resilient economies,' stated Dr. Li Wei, a energy policy researcher from Beijing.
The dialogue comes as extreme weather events in 2025 continue disrupting agriculture and water supplies across Africa and Asia. Recent data shows renewable energy investments in these regions grew 18% year-on-year, though experts argue current levels remain insufficient to meet Paris Agreement targets.
Notably, the forum showcased multiple China-Africa collaborative projects, including a newly launched solar farm in Kenya’s Rift Valley and a wind power initiative in Ethiopia. These efforts align with China’s 2025 climate cooperation commitments announced during September’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit.
