2024 Energy Trend New Year Dinner Party

Remarks by Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, as prepared for delivery

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank the organizers for this kind invitation. It is a topic that warrants urgent attention and collective action.

We find ourselves at a crossroads. Climate change poses an existential threat to our planet, with impacts that are vast and far-reaching.

It knows no borders, sparing no country its devastating effects – from wildfires burning across continents to floods displacing millions and droughts shrinking vital food supplies. The energy we have relied upon for economic growth is also the very catalyst for this global environmental crisis.

Amidst this challenge, our world is experiencing unprecedented geopolitical tensions that test the very fabric of international cooperation. Trade wars, territorial conflicts, and a resurgence of nationalism threaten to derail the global collaboration essential to addressing these problems.

At the World Economic Forum, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Mr. Li Qiang, said, “Humanity still faces many challenges in addressing climate change and promoting green and low-carbon transition.”

However, it is during such times of uncertainty that we must harness our collective will and reaffirm our commitment to a cause that is greater than the sum of our individual interests. If history has taught us anything, it is that crisis begets opportunity – an opportunity to innovate, to unite, and to forge a path toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

The Paris Agreement stands as a testament to what can be achieved when nations come together with a common purpose. Yet, its success hinges on the unwavering commitment of all parties to implement their nationally determined contributions and to continually strive for more ambitious targets.

Renewable energy technologies present us with an opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint, create new industries, and ensure energy security.

By sharing expertise, fostering research and development, and facilitating the transfer of technology, we strengthen our collective ability to transition to a green economy.

China's commitment to peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060 marked an important step in climate action. The country has since embarked on substantial investments in renewable energy, with progress on initiatives such as expanding solar and wind capacity, promoting electric vehicles, and restructuring its energy framework. These steps taken by China not only help it reach the goals of the Paris Agreement but also support accelerating global progress on the SDGs.

Innovation must be matched with investment. Financial mechanisms that enable emerging economies to leapfrog to cleaner technologies will be pivotal.

The Green Climate Fund and other mechanisms must be fully capitalized to ensure that no country is left behind in this transition.

Moreover, energy security cannot be achieved in isolation. We must diversify our energy sources, develop resilient energy infrastructure, and ensure an equitable distribution of energy. To this end, forging strategic alliances and partnerships, even during times of political strain, must be prioritized.

Climate action is not merely an environmental concern; it is integral to peace and prosperity. As competition for resources intensifies, effective management and equitable access to energy can reduce conflict potential and enhance global stability.

This is not a problem we can postpone. The impact of climate change will only intensify, and the longer we delay, the greater the risk to our collective future.

We must act now, reaffirming our commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals, leading not just with immediate responses but with long-term strategies that build a resilient and sustainable future.

I urge all stakeholders – governments, private sector, civil society, and individuals – to engage in open dialogue, to build trust, and to foster a cooperative spirit that transcends current geopolitical tensions. Our unity in times of uncertainty is the source of our strength. Together, we can transform our energy systems, protect our environment, and secure a livable climate for future generations.

The UN Secretary-General was very clear: “The phaseout of fossil fuels is essential and inevitable. No amount of spin or scare tactics will change that.

Let’s hope it doesn’t come too late. We must now act to ensure a just and equitable transition to renewable energy.”

Let us seize the opportunities presented by these challenging times, strengthening international cooperation on energy and climate change. With solidarity, vision, and determination, we can overcome geopolitical uncertainties and build a sustainable legacy that stands the test of time.