Photo:VCG

As the climate conference hosted in the hottest year ever recorded in human history, the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has attracted more than 80,000 participants globally, making it the largest ever UN climate summit to date.

Alongside the Chinese delegation, many institutions, businesses, and observers from China also have attended the global event, establishing pavilions and holding related events, serving as opportunities for participants worldwide to exchange ideas and learn about China's carbon reduction measures and achievements.

The China Pavilion, opened on November 30 by the Chinese delegation and the All-China Environment Federation, in partnership with LONGi Green Energy, a solar company of China, set up the Solar+ Pavilion in the Blue Zone at COP28.

A side event focusing on new energy development in impoverished countries was being held there during the visit of the Global Times reporter on Friday.

Solar+ Pavilion in the Blue Zone at COP28 Photo: Shan Jie/GT

The Solar+ Pavilion is a public communication platform focused on addressing climate change and global sustainable development, and it aims to discuss international hot topics including community, nature, and technology, the Global Times learned.

"We hope this pavilion not only shares LONGi's practices in sustainable development and showcases the development and innovation of the photovoltaic industry but also provides a platform for different groups to discuss and achieve energy equity," Wang Huohuo, who is in charge of the Solar+ Pavilion, told the Global Times.

Another pavilion hosted by Chinese enterprises and institutions is the Biosphere No. 3 Pavilion set up by Vanke Group. This pavilion is set to showcase the important role of Chinese enterprises in green and low-carbon development.

The Vanke Foundation also has an outdoor booth in the Blue Zone, where it displays two projects: the Mount Qomolangma Snow Leopard Conservation Project and the "Zero Waste" campaign at the Beijing Forbidden City.

"These two projects represent the height of China's nature and culture, attracting many visitors here at the COP28," said Qiao Feng, a climate advisor at the Vanke Foundation. "As a long-time participant in COP as observer, our footprint has expanded further this time. We hope to demonstrate Chinese enterprises' active involvement in climate action."

Notably, a group of Chinese youth also appeared at COP28.

Alice Ho, Chief Youth Officer of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC), said that this is the fourth consecutive year that Chinese youth have participated in and witnessed COP on site. This time, GAUC brought 30 young students from different countries and regions, including 10 from China, from universities including Tsinghua University and Fudan University.

"By organizing events and interacting with NGOs and entrepreneurs, we hope to bring China's voice and our youth's voice to the world," said Ho.

During the COP28, GAUC hosts a GAUC Pavilion inside the Blue Zone, marking the first time GAUC has hosted a dedicated Pavilion for its young delegates and partners.

"We welcome our partners to organize their events at the GAUC Pavilion. I and the GAUC Youth Delegation look forward to working together with them to contribute youth's strength to a successful COP28," Ho said.

"The COP28 will feature the first global stock take since the signing of the Paris Agreement," Wang Binbin, the Executive Secretary-General of GAUC, stated, noting that "while the international society looks at the state of our planet and charts a better course for the future, it is important to recognize the crucial role of youth as the backbone of the net-zero future and offer them adequate support to assume this historical responsibility."