Climate Watch

China has made major progress in its "Zhuiri" or "Sun Chasing" project, moving a step closer toward building a space solar power station. Why do we need to harvest solar power in space? What's the biggest challenge in turning that vision into reality? Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Zhang Fan, Associate Professor of Astronomy at Beijing Normal University.

Europe is experiencing an unprecedented early summer heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius on many parts of the continent. What is driving this extreme heat, and is this the new normal for Europe's summers? Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Bob Ward, the policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

The Yangtze River, China's longest waterway, once faced a severe biodiversity crisis after decades of overfishing. But five years into an unprecedented 10-year fishing ban, scientists are seeing surprising signs of ecological recovery. Can one of the world's longest rivers truly heal? Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Chen Yushun, co-author of a new Science study on the Yangtze's recovery. Prof. Chen is from the Institute of Hydrobiology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dean of the School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology.

Meteorologists have confirmed that an El Nino has formed in the tropical Pacific, and forecasts suggest it could intensify in the coming months. What is El Nino? Could a "super" El Nino be on the way? How might it shape global weather patterns, and what could it mean for China? Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Wang Chunzai, a researcher at South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography.

China's Green Code: Rewriting the Rules of Growth is a four-part special series exploring how China is reshaping the way it produces energy, builds industries, grows food and lives day to day. In this episode, we travel to Shenzhen, a city known for its low-carbon ambitions, to see how sustainable living is becoming part of everyday life. Following a local resident’s journey across the city, we explore waste-sorting systems in action (1:35), a leading second-hand trading platform attracting thousands of daily visitors (9:00), a fully electrified bus and taxi network (12:55), and a net-zero building that uses significantly less energy than conventional designs (18:30). Together, these stories show how urban life is being quietly reshaped—one low-carbon choice at a time.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, with a record 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As the tournament grows bigger, so does its climate footprint. Will this year's tournament be the most polluting in FIFA history? Where do the emissions come from? And does the game's continued expansion go against its climate goals? Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Tim Walters, a professor at Okanagan College in British Columbia, Canada.

“China’s Green Code: Rewriting the Rules of Growth” is a four-part special series exploring China’s drive toward greener development across energy, industry, agriculture, and everyday life. In this episode, we travel to Anqiu in eastern China—one of the country’s leading vegetable-producing regions, to see how farming is being reimagined. We visit farms where agricultural waste becomes a valuable resource (1’55”). We meet growers embracing new technology to produce more with fewer inputs (12’15”). And we hear from young graduates who have traded city life for the countryside in search of new opportunities (23’35”). Together, their stories reveal how the future of farming may depend not only on new technologies, but on a new generation of people willing to rethink the land itself.

A deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has captured headlines over the past few weeks. Beyond the immediate public health crisis, scientists are looking at the climate factors that may be driving the spread of this rodent-borne disease into new areas. Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Dr. Kirk Douglas, Director of the Center for Biosecurity Studies at The University of the West Indies, Barbados.

“China’s Green Code: Rewriting the Rules of Growth” is a four-part special series exploring China’s drive toward greener development across energy, industry, agriculture, and everyday life. In this episode, we head to Chongqing, one of China's industrial heartlands, to see how it's reinventing itself for a lower-carbon future. We'll visit a cement plant replacing coal with waste-derived fuel (2'50"), step inside an AI-powered auto factory (17'25"), and explore how logistics hubs and industrial parks are reducing their environmental footprint (25'50"). Together, these stories show how one of China's industrial heartlands is reinventing itself for a lower-carbon future.

Scientists are increasingly worried about the potential collapse of a key Atlantic ocean current. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, AMOC, helps regulate global climate by transporting vast amounts of heat across the oceans and shaping weather patterns worldwide. Is AMOC approaching a tipping point? Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Paul Beckwith, a climate system scientist based in Ottawa and a popular content creator on YouTube.

“China’s Green Code: Rewriting the Rules of Growth” is a four-part special series exploring China’s drive toward greener development across energy, industry, agriculture, and everyday life. In this episode, we travel to Changzhou, where the transition to cleaner energy is reshaping the way power is produced, stored, and managed. We explore both the promise and the challenges of renewable energy (1'46"), visit a massive salt cavern energy storage facility (12'29"), take a closer look at a virtual power plant linking different energy resources (17'25"), and examine the changing role of coal-fired power plants (20'30"). Together, these stories paint a picture of how one Chinese city is navigating the realities of the energy transition.

China is building a new generation of greener data centers in Xizang Autonomous Region. Using the region's cold climate and clean energy resources, these projects aim to reduce the carbon cost of powering AI. Can high-altitude computing reshape the climate footprint of the digital age? We talk to Zha Daojiong, Professor of International Political Economy at the School of International Studies at Peking University, and Lin Boqiang, Dean of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.

The emperor penguin has been moved from "Near Threatened" to "Endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Scientists warn that the early break-up and loss of sea ice could halve their population by the 2080s. Climate change is also threatening Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. What exactly is happening at the bottom of the world? Why are species that have survived for thousands of years now at risk? And as scientists and policymakers meet in Hiroshima for the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, what action will follow? Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Zhang Yimo, Priority Project Coordinator of WWF China's Sustainable Blue Economy Program.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. When burned as fuel, it produces water instead of carbon dioxide, making it a potentially low-carbon energy option. Interest in hydrogen is growing as countries explore its role in decarbonizing heavy industry, transport, and energy storage. Can hydrogen help power a green future? Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Ji Guozhao, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at Dalian University of Technology, and Joe da Costa, Emeritus Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland.

China and the EU are accelerating their clean energy transitions. Does this moment bring them closer, or drive them further into competition? Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Arvea Marieni, senior advisor to the World Green Design Organization and European Climate Pact Ambassador, and Zhang Jian, vice dean of the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at Tsinghua University.

April 22 marks Earth Day. Ten years ago on this day, leaders from around the world gathered at the UN Headquarters in New York for the signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement. A decade on, where does the global fight against climate change stand today? Climate Watch host Zhao Ying speaks with Michael Grubb, Professor of Energy and Climate Change at University College London.

China is on track to become the world's largest generator of nuclear energy, with 112 reactor units either in operation, under construction, or approved. It has signed on to an international pledge to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050. How is China growing from a nuclear newcomer to the world's largest generators of nuclear power? How is nuclear technology evolving? And what's driving this renewed global momentum behind nuclear energy? Zhao Ying speaks with Professor Zhao Jiyun from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the City University of Hong Kong.

Europe has set a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels. The goal is now legally binding, after the European Council formally adopted the amended European Climate Law last month. How achievable is it? What does it mean for Europe and beyond? How might it reshape global industries and trade? Zhao Ying speaks with Dr. Niklas Höhne, co-founder of the NewClimate Institute.

The World Meteorological Organization warns that Earth's energy imbalance has reached a record high. Rising temperatures are just the tip of the iceberg. Most of the excess heat is hidden in the oceans, with far-reaching impacts on our climate. Zhao Ying speaks with Bod Ward, the policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, to explore what this growing imbalance means, why it matters, and how it is shaping our planet's future.

As China targets a 17% cut in carbon intensity by 2030, how much difference can consumer choices make? Earlier this year, the government launched a nationwide action plan to promote green consumption. How is it working in practice? How much is it shaping people's lifestyles? And can greener demand push companies to change the way they produce? Zhao Ying speaks with Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

As World Water Day approaches, this special episode explores how a small mountain village in southwest China is adapting to water scarcity in a changing climate.

China will accelerate the development of zero-carbon industrial parks and factories. This year's government work report has highlighted the strategy, as part of the country's broader push to promote green and low-carbon development. What exactly is a zero-carbon industrial park? How do you build one? And what opportunities do they create for businesses? Zhao Ying speaks with Qu Qiang, a fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China, and Li Hanxi, the lead sustainability officer at HyperStrong, an energy storage system provider in China.

China's top legislature is deliberating on the draft of the country's first-ever Ecological and Environmental Code. If adopted, it would become only the second law in China formally designated as a "Code," after the Civil Code. How significant is this move? And what could it mean for businesses, investors, local governments, and ordinary citizens? Zhao Ying speaks with Ma Jun, Founder of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs.

China has seen a massive, rapid cleanup of its skies over the past decade. Yet some recent reports suggest that these pollution reductions may have unintentionally accelerated global warming. What does the science actually say? Can we really blame clean air for a warming world, or are news headlines oversimplifying a much more complex climate story? Zhao Ying speaks with Arvea Marieni, European Climate Pact Ambassador.

Do you start your day with a cup of coffee? The world's 10 billion kilograms of annual coffee waste usually rots in landfills, spewing greenhouse gases. But now, scientists are turning it into biochar to replace up to 15% of sand in concrete, boosting strength by 30% and cutting carbon footprints by up to 26%. Zhao Ying speaks with Dr. Zhang Jingxuan from the School of Engineering at RMIT, who leads the Life-Cycle Assessment of coffee waste for low-carbon concrete.

China has taken a major step toward improving corporate climate transparency with the release of its new "Corporate Sustainable Disclosure Standard No. 1 – Climate (Trial)." What does the standard require, and how should businesses and investors prepare? Zhao Ying speaks with Allan Xie, Deloitte China's Climate and Sustainability Leader. This episode was recorded on the sidelines of the 2026 International Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy Economics. Special thanks to the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, which co-hosted the conference.

Since January 1st, the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has fully entered into force. It places a carbon price on imports including iron, steel, and aluminum. For manufacturers in China and across global supply chains, it's no longer just about the quality or price of a product; it's now fundamentally about the carbon embedded within it. How can companies track, report, and verify emissions to EU standards? What do the EU’s default values mean for exporters? In this episode, Zhou Fang spoke with Tu Jianjun, Managing Director of Agora Energy China and Lin Boqiang, Dean of China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy.

The European Union has reached an agreement with Beijing on general guidelines regarding the pricing of Chinese electric vehicles. Shortly thereafter, Canada announced it would allow up to 49,000 Chinese EVs to enter the country at a most-favored-nation rate of 6.1 percent. Are countries finally prioritizing affordable decarbonization over a global trade war? Zhao Ying speaks with Arvea Marieni, European Climate Pact Ambassador.

China and the UK have forged a robust foundation in advancing green energy and climate action. In recent years, cooperation between China and the UK in the offshore wind sector has grown increasingly close, transitioning from project investments by Chinese companies to deeper industrial integration. At the same time, the technological frontier of cooperation has extended to emerging fields, such as offshore wind-to-hydrogen production. Zhou Fang spoke with Guan Dabo, Distinguished Chair Professor of Climate Change Research from Tsinghua University. We explore how this synergy moves from dialogue to real-world projects. We also discuss the urgent need for joint research on enhancing climate adaptation and resilience.

A UN report declares that the world has entered an era of global "water bankruptcy," with irreversible consequences. The report warns that many societies have been using water faster than nature can replenish it, and that the situation is so severe that old terms like "water crisis" or "water stressed" simply don't capture the full magnitude anymore. What does a global water bankruptcy really mean? Why is it happening? And can we restructure this debt before it's too late? Zhao Ying speaks with Wu Changhua, President of Global Climate Academy and Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia Pacific Water Forum.

The Trump administration has announced its intention to withdraw from 66 international bodies, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Later this month, on January 27, the US will also officially depart the Paris Agreement for the second time. What does all this mean for global climate action? Zhao Ying speaks with Daniel Kreeger, the executive director and co-founder of the Association of Climate Change Officers.

The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement, will enter into force on 17 January, marking a major step in global ocean governance. What does it do, who benefits, and will it truly change how the high seas are managed? Zhao Ying speaks with Zhang Yimo, Priority Project Coordinator of WWF China's Sustainable Blue Economy Program.

As global temperatures continue to rise due to greenhouse gas emissions, can we dim the sunlight to cool the Earth? The idea may sound extreme, but solar radiation management, or solar geo-engineering, has already become a serious subject of scientific research. And it's not just scientists—billionaires like Elon Musk and Bill Gates have also shown interest. How viable is this concept in practice? What ethical, environmental, and global governance challenges could it bring? Zhao Ying speaks with John Moore, a research professor at the Arctic Center, University of Lapland in Finland. From 2015 to '22, he led the Chinese geoengineering research program while serving as Chief Scientist at the College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University.

As the year comes to a close, we step back to look at what 2025 tells us about where we are on climate change. What climate events mattered most? Where did we see real momentum, and where are the biggest risks? And as we head into 2026, what should we be watching most closely? Zhao Ying speaks with Fei Fei to unpack it all.

For years, critics in Washington and Brussels have warned about China producing "too many" solar panels. But could this so-called "overcapacity" actually be the key to solving Africa's energy crisis? A recent report by global energy think tank Ember shows that Africa’s imports of Chinese solar panels surged by 60% in the year leading up to June, marking the first signs of a solar take-off across the continent. Zhao Ying speaks with Dave Jones, co-founder of Ember and the author of this report, to explore the potential for solar energy to transform Africa's energy landscape.

Cities are home to over half of the world's population. With rapid urban growth, it becomes increasingly crucial for cities not just to survive, but to build resilience for future generations. The 2025 Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities, or Shanghai Award, offers a glimpse of that diversity. The award is jointly organized by UN-Habitat and the Shanghai Municipality. The winners – Algiers, Al Madinah, Bogotá, Espoo, and Incheon – each show a unique pathway toward sustainable urban development. Zhao Ying speaks with Bai Xuemei, Professor of Urban Environment and Human Ecology at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, to explore what we can learn from their experiences.

CGTN Radio and PKU's C Force Lab bring together Professor Wang Binbin, Doctor Xie Zongxu and Reporter Yu Tianyu to explore how traditional wisdom can offer fresh pathways for global climate governance.

In this special live recording of Climate Watch at Peking University, together with Beyond Climate Dialogue of Peking University’s Institute of Carbon Neutrality, we feature insights from Professor Zhang Haibin, Vice Dean at the School of International Studies and the Institute of Carbon Neutrality at the University, Dr. Wang Binbin, Research Professor and Founder of C Force Lab at the Institute of Carbon Neutrality, and Dr. Muhammad Khalid Hameed with the Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Center. The episode delves into the complexities of global climate governance, the critical importance of adapting to climate change, and the role of joint international efforts. Emphasizing the need for education, early warning systems, and technology transfer, the conversation also explores China's role in climate governance and the importance of collective international action.

With COP30 in full swing in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, in the city of Belém, Brazil, negotiators are once again debating critical issues: who will pay for climate action, especially adaptation, as extreme weather events become more frequent and their links to climate change increasingly clear? What responses should we put in place—and where are we headed as a global community? We’re seeing familiar agendas on the table, with heated arguments but only modest steps forward. Are COP meetings still relevant today? And how can we make better use of this global gathering? Fei Fei unpacks these questions with Teng Fei, Professor and Deputy Director of the Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University, and Antoine Oger, Executive Director at the Institute for European Environmental Policy based in Brussels.

Climate change is increasingly shaping our health. According to the latest Lancet Countdown report, it is already contributing to millions of premature deaths each year through extreme heat, air pollution, wildfires, and the spread of infectious diseases. The report offers one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of how climate and public health are deeply intertwined. In this episode, Fei Fei speaks with Cai Wenjia, Director of the Lancet Countdown Regional Centre for Asia, about the report’s latest findings in China and what they mean for the future of public health.

China's national carbon market is still young. But experts see a clear path forward. In this episode, we explore the challenges it faces, and the strategies that could help it drive progress toward reducing CO2 emissions and supporting a greener economy.

From national policies to corporate innovation and our daily habits, carbon trading is transforming how China tackles climate change. Let's uncover how industries cut emissions while boosting profits, how universities shape the next generation of green talent, and how individuals earn rewards for eco-friendly choices.

From companies turning pressure into profit, to individuals earning rewards for low-carbon lifestyles, and students preparing for a greener future—this podcast reveals how carbon trading went from an obscure idea to a powerful driver of China's green transition.

China leads the world in NEV development that's vital to cutting transport emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. But the road is far from smooth. From massive spending to hidden supply-chain emissions and data gaps, this program dives into the struggles behind the green transition.

China is undergoing a monumental shift to meet its dual carbon goals, transforming its entire energy and industrial landscape. The country now boasts the world's largest carbon market and leads the globe in renewable capacity, having hit its 2030 NDC targets ahead of schedule. In this episode, Zhou Fang spoke with Wu Changhua, President of the Global Climate Academy and Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia Pacific Water Forum. They unpack the systemic drivers powering this transition—from the groundbreaking national carbon market that now spans several key industries to a unified green finance system mobilizing trillions. The conversation also goes to the frontlines of climate adaptation—covering China's nationwide push to fortify its coasts and cities against rising seas and heatwaves. Finally, they explore how strong governance and policy innovation are turning climate pledges into action, positioning China as a pivotal force in global climate efforts.

China is moving fast to make its trade greener. A new guideline from the Ministry of Commerce lays out how the country plans to integrate low-carbon practices into everything from manufacturing and logistics to finance and carbon markets. The policy also signals a shift in how China sees its economy where the green transition is not a burden, but a new driver of growth. In this episode, we unpack what’s behind China’s green trade strategy, what it could mean for exporters and global partners, and how it might reshape the rules of international trade with Assistant Professor of Economics Li Lun with Peking University.

From bold national targets to street-level change, China is accelerating its shift to green transport. In Guangzhou, we meet car owners, business people, and climate experts who are working hand-in-hand toward the “dual-carbon” goals.

As China strives toward its ambitious climate goals, transportation is taking center stage in its carbon-cutting effort. In Guangzhou, we explore how people are rethinking mobility and embracing a greener future.

China’s renewable energy transition faces significant challenges, including high costs, technological bottlenecks, talent gaps, and environmental concerns. In this program, we examine the obstacles hindering the advancement of wind, hydrogen, and solar energy solutions, and how these challenges may influence the path to carbon neutrality.

From offshore wind farms in Shanghai to hydrogen industrial parks in Changzhou, China is laying the groundwork for a greener future. Here we meet the engineers, scientists, and local workers who are turning wind, solar, and hydrogen into renewable energy solutions.