Chinas Resources, Energy and Sustainable Development: 2020.

This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore

Global climate change has become one of the gravest challenges that impede human survival and development in this century. Though global climate governance has moved into a phase characterized by full implementation of Paris Agreement, actions in the NDCs submitted so far are still not ambitious enough to keep global temperature increase below 2 C. The IPCCs Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 C has underscored the urgency of tackling climate change, reinforcing and advancing the global target of carbon neutrality. In the meantime, however, the world is witnessing an unprecedented change that is rarely seen in a century, which leads to greater uncertainty in the fight against climate change. More than ever, countries need to work together to advance climate governance and sustainable development.

China has always viewed addressing climate change as its major responsibility and a central part of promoting energy and economic transition, eco-civilization and a community with a shared future for mankind. Over the years, China has continued to implement and strengthen its national strategy on climate change, set targets and action plans for energy conservation and emission reduction in a bid to achieve a sustainable development of green, low carbon and circular, and demonstrate its leadership in the low-carbon transition of global energy and economy. As evidenced by Chinas policies and practices, there could be alignment and synergy between tackling climate change and driving sustainable development, because: (1) the fight against climate change will prompt the low-carbon transition of energy and economy, upgrade industrial structure and boost sustainable economic and social development; (2) active efforts to tackle climate change will contribute to co-governance of environmental protection and high-quality development, create a win-win scenario of high-quality growth, environment improvement and CO2 emission reduction, and promote ecological civilization; (3) extensive engagement and active leadership in global climate governance will help build a community with a shared future for mankind. Increasing international cooperation in advanced energy technologies and industries not only boosts win-win cooperation and common development among countries, but also facilitates global response to ecological crisis, with more common interests and potential for cooperation, thus becoming the pioneer and paragon for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Chinas Resources, Energy and Sustainable Development: 2020 represents the latest outcome of research organized and sponsored by Tsinghua-Rio Tinto Joint Research Centre for Resources, Energy and Sustainable Development, and supported by Tsinghua Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development. The research centres on the theme of low-carbon transition in the context of global climate change and explores the topic of resources, energy and sustainable development which involves energy transition, pattern of urbanization, urban low-carbon actions, power system transition, water management, electric cars, and iron and steel industry among others, based on the practice of China in different fields. The book is expected to shed light, in a holistic manner, on the issues and interrelationships between resources, energy and sustainable development amid global climate change by adopting a multidisciplinary perspective, and inform policies and management regarding climate change and sustainable development.

Climate change represents an unprecedented challenge for the world, but we believe that feasible pathways exist to develop a successful low-carbon economy. Companies, including ours, should be clear about how they plan to tackle climate change. As the world needs more materials and energy to prosper and provide people with a better quality of life, it also needs materials that have been produced in an economic and sustainable way, with fewer emissions and with respect to communities. We recognize both the challenge and opportunity in this and want to be part of the solution.

Climate risks and opportunities have formed part of our strategic thinking and investment decisions for over two decades. We now have a portfolio well positioned for the transition to a low-carbon economy, and we are the only major diversified company in the industry not involved in fossil fuel extraction. The materials we produce are essential to the low-carbon transition: aluminium used in electric vehicles, copper used to build wind turbines and iron ore used to create critical infrastructure.

Our goal is to play an active role in finding climate solutions, and we will do this through partnerships. Clearly, everyone needs to play a part: from customers to suppliers, from communities to governments, and from civil society organizations to business. Universities also have an essential role in finding and developing those solutions. This is why we are looking to collaborate with partners across the value chain.