Climate Watch

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.

Energy transition lies at the heart of China’s journey toward its carbon neutrality goal. How much do businesses and individuals know about clean energy? And what attitudes do they hold toward its promotion? In this episode, we head to eastern China to find out people’s thoughts on clean energy.

In this episode, Fei Fei explores the untapped potential of geothermal energy. While Iceland has long been a global leader in harnessing the Earth’s heat, China is now beginning to take a closer look at this often-overlooked renewable resource. Featuring Rósbjörg Jónsdóttir from the Iceland Renewable Energy Cluster and Associate Professor Shu Biao from Central South University, the episode dives into geothermal energy’s potential in China and how it could play a bigger role in the country’s green transition. Photo/ Aiken Spring in northwest China's Qinghai Province

As China faces rising temperatures, extreme weather, and shifting rainfall patterns, its agrifood system must adapt — while also cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In this episode, Fei Fei explores the challenges and opportunities for Chinese agriculture with insights from Professor Zheng Dawei and world-renowned agricultural expert Professor Fan Shenggen. From innovative farming techniques to nationwide adaptation strategies, we discuss how China’s farms can feed the nation and fight climate change.

China has just hosted the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, marking 30 years since the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. As the world revisits the goals of gender equality, one question stands out: how can women’s empowerment and climate action work together? In this episode of Climate Watch, Fei Fei speaks with Wang Binbin, Associate Research Professor at Peking University’s Institute for Carbon Neutrality, about her report Synergy of Climate Action and Gender Equality in China. Through her research, Binbin explores how Chinese women are adapting to and driving climate solutions. You can read her report here: https://carbon.pku.edu.cn/kxyj/kydt2/yjbg/d04a089af0cf431caa55605437e00711.htm Climate Watch and Beyond Climate Dialogue collaboration: https://radio.cgtn.com/podcast/news/5/Looking-back-to-move-forward-what-ancient-wisdom-can-teach-us-about-climate-action-Part-1/2715521

On Jingmai Mountain in Yunnan Province, ancient tea forests tell a story of tradition, ecology, and resilience. The local Bulang and Dai people have cultivated tea in harmony with nature for centuries, creating biodiverse forests that yield unique, aromatic Pu’er tea. Today, communities are reviving traditional methods while embracing innovation—using new business models and digital tools help younger generations preserve culture and connect with global markets. This episode explores how ancient wisdom meets modern sustainability, offering lessons in ecological stewardship, cultural heritage, and resilient rural economies.

Xinjiang’s Taklamakan Desert, one of the largest sand seas on Earth, is gaining a new identity. Once known only for its shifting dunes, it’s now surrounded by shelterbelts of trees planted through China’s Three-North afforestation program. And alongside this green belt, a new landscape is taking shape — solar farms glinting under the desert sun and wind turbines rising against the horizon. In this episode of Climate Watch, Fei Fei speaks with Jason Smith, host of The Bridge to China Podcast, about his journey to Xinjiang and how the desert is being transformed into a frontier of forests and clean energy. You can find Jason's podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bridge-to-china/id1600232246 or https://www.youtube.com/@thebridgetoChina

At the UN Climate Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled new climate targets for 2035, pledging to cut economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10% from peak levels, expand wind and solar to 3,600 gigawatts, and grow forests and carbon markets. Beyond the numbers, what message is China sending to the world? In this episode, Fei Fei speaks with Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, to unpack the ambition, challenges, and global implications of China’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions.

Chinese and Brazilian institutes and universities are intensifying cooperation to jointly address climate change impacts, including on agriculture and food. With agriculture being one of the most solid pillars, the two countries are complementary in advantages and demand in further boosting food security while protecting the environment. In this episode, Zhou Fang spoke with André Guimarães, executive director of the Amazon Environmental Research Institute to dig deeper into their cooperation with China Jiliang University. We explore how the new partnership aims to identify risks, propose adaptation strategies, and provide solutions. We also discuss how China and Brazil are shouldering their responsibility to lead Global South efforts in climate action.

We often think going paperless is eco-friendly—but is our digital life as green as we believe? Every email, file, and cloud service relies on data centers, and together they produce significant carbon emissions. This hidden impact is called digital pollution. In this episode of Climate Watch, Fei Fei explores how our everyday online habits affect the environment and speaks with Ian Chew, founder of Greenie Web, a Singapore-based startup working to clean up the digital world. Are data centers just energy hogs — or the future of smart grids? https://radio.cgtn.com/podcast/news/5/Are-data-centers-just-energy-hogs-or-the-future-of-smart-grids/2716184

China has released its first central government roadmap for the national carbon market, marking a turning point in the country’s climate policy. The plan sets out milestones to expand coverage across major emitting industries by 2027 and build a fully functional cap-and-trade system by 2030. In this episode, Fei Fei sits down with carbon market analyst Qin Yan to unpack what these targets mean in practice. We explore how China can boost the vitality of its carbon market, what challenges industries may face, and how the system could align with global carbon trading under the Paris Agreement.

In Quanzhou, oysters are more than food — they’re part of the local history. For centuries, oyster shells have been used to reinforce bridges, build storm-proof homes, and shape coastal life. This episode explores how 11th-century engineers employed oysters in the construction of the Luoyang Bridge, with insights from historians. We also hear from Professor Cai Lizhe of Xiamen University and Lin Jianyi from the Chinese Academy of Sciences on how oyster shells are used today to restore soils, filter water, and even cut carbon. From ancient ingenuity to modern climate action, discover how the humble oyster has sustained people and places.

Many extreme weather events are now occurring in ways that defy traditional understanding. This year, extreme weather events have come one after another: record-breaking torrential rains, unprecedented heatwaves reaching 50 degrees Celsius and devastating wildfires raging in many parts of the world. In this episode, Zhou Fang spoke with Professor Gao Xiaolu from Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture on these extreme weather events and China’s resilience in building against natural disasters. We take a closer look at how China has been addressing these extreme weather events through early warning systems, urban planning and technological innovation among other areas. We also discuss how the public can better respond to these events by raising awareness and taking more solid action.

What if the secret to protecting cities from floods, boosting biodiversity, and improving livelihoods was right outside our door? In this episode of Climate Watch, Fei Fei explores how China’s “Two Mountains" concept plays out in real life, visiting Quanzhou Bay — home to centuries-old ports and thriving mangroves, and beyond. Meet the researchers, fishermen, and city planners restoring these wetlands and discover why they’re vital for climate resilience. How can “lucid waters and lush mountains” truly be worth gold and silver? And what lessons can they offer for building greener, more resilient cities? Subscribe for more stories from Quanzhou City.