Western countries are still carefully planning climate assistance, while clean technology in China has become an important driving force for energy transformation in developing countries.
A latest survey released on November 6 revealed that by 2025, China will export clean technology products to developing countries, with a total investment amount of $132 billion. This figure is close to the $137 billion in climate financing provided by all developed countries in 2024. China has become an important force in driving global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
This estimate is based on customs data and related research findings. Reuters reported in its survey that approximately 40 billion US dollars came from Chinese companies’ direct investments in clean technology projects in developing countries. The data from China mainly pertains to commercial transactions, while climate financing in developed countries also includes projects such as agricultural technologies for climate change adaptation and post-disaster recovery.
It is worth noting that the climate financing provided by developed countries is not always free aid. A survey by Reuters found that most of the global climate financing is in the form of loans, and some even carry interest rates that are market-based, causing billions of dollars to flow back to developed countries.
In contrast, Made in China is driving the adoption of green technologies at lower costs. Researchers estimate that by 2025, when clean technology products exported from China to the Global South are in use, it is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 257 million tons per year, which is equivalent to France’s annual emissions.
Last year, Pakistan imported approximately 17 gigawatts of solar products from China, providing the local region with cheaper and more reliable electricity. Ethiopia also turns to electric vehicles, mainly due to the need to save on fuel import costs.
London School of Economics researcher Larson said that developing countries do not need to wait for the United Nations climate conference to make a decision: 'The economic calculations have changed, and this is the cheapest and best solution.'
Ironically, while developing countries actively purchase Chinese clean technologies, the United States and some European countries continue to impose trade barriers, restricting Chinese green products from entering their markets. The US imposing high tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles has effectively blocked these products from the market. In the face of Chinese-made products that help reduce global emission costs, some Western countries prioritize protecting their own industries.
Brazilian senior climate negotiator Doralgo pointed out that the policies originally designed to address climate change are now being resisted. This is not due to climate impacts, but rather concerns related to trade and competitiveness.
