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.
What are the most promising technologies driving global decarbonization—and what’s holding them back? In this episode, Fei Fei speaks with Professor Wang Can from Tsinghua University about mainstream solutions, emerging innovations, and the roadblocks slowing progress. We also explore China’s strategy for cutting carbon emissions and where it still needs to catch up. This episode is part of The Climate Thinkers, a special series of conversations with leading researchers to explore the latest in green innovation—starting here in China and expanding outward to the world.
Climate has sounded new alarms this summer. In just seven days, Beijing and Hebei were drenched by a year’s worth of rain. Meanwhile, temperatures in Henan, Sichuan, and Xinjiang have repeatedly soared past 40°C. In today’s episode, we speak with Ma Jun, Director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, about what these weather events reveal about climate change—and how we should respond.
As global temperatures rise and extreme weather becomes the new norm, climate cooperation between major powers is more crucial than ever. In this episode of Climate Watch, we focus on the latest China–EU summit held in Beijing—where climate stood out as a rare bright spot in a complex geopolitical agenda. Fei Fei speaks with Antoine Oger, Executive Director of the Institute for European Environmental Policy, to unpack what this high-level meeting means for global climate action. From carbon markets and methane emissions to new EU climate laws and China’s green innovation efforts, the conversation explores how the two sides can manage their differences and collaborate more deeply. Can China and the EU truly lead the world toward a low-carbon future?
