By ZHONG Jianli

The nine years from 2015 to 2023 were the hottest on record globally, and it is anticipated that the next five years will continue setting new temperature highs.

This was stated by Chen Zhenlin, administrator of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), at the launch of the annual report on actions to address climate change, in Beijing on December 29.

The report, the Green Book of Climate Change 2023: Working Actively and Prudently toward Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality, was released by the Climate Change Economics Simulation Joint Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and CMA, in collaboration with the Social Sciences Academic Press (China).

Wang Changlin, CASS vice president, said with extreme climate changes escalating worldwide, it is imperative for humans to join hands to address this pressing issue.

Achieving the targets of carbon peaking and neutrality requires following the global trend of green and low-carbon transition, as well as taking a steadfast problem-solving approach to promote the integrated development of natural and social sciences, Wang added.

According to the Green Book, the intensifying global climate crisis poses unprecedented challenges to sustainable development and the attainment of the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. It is a global consensus that the climate crisis must be addressed. China has made steady progress in achieving its targets of carbon peaking and neutrality. It has set up a "1+N" policy system and improved it, guiding localities, cities, industries, enterprises and people to contribute to the targets.

The Green Book pointed out that low-carbon transition is the inevitable path for humans to scientifically address climate change and achieve sustainable development, with digital technology exerting a "multiplier effect" in facilitating low-carbon transition.

As digital technology integrates with the real economy, it will play an increasingly crucial role in addressing climate change. Through the development of digital technology, plant cultivation techniques will be optimized, the efficiency of power grids will be maximized, and the utilization of renewable energy will be expanded.

The report also indicated that in the process of carbon neutrality, innovation and development of clean energy technologies have become the focal point of global technological competition.

Research shows that to realize carbon neutrality target, energy transformation in five major industries — electric power, road transportation, steel, hydrogen and agriculture — is expected to accelerate, which calls for greater innovation and investment in clean energy technologies.