The 7th WCIFIT | Experts: Aligning Industrial Restructuring with End-Consumer Demand is Key to Western China's Carbon Neutrality Journey
Western China, encompassing 12 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, spans over two-thirds of the nation's land area. What advantages does this vast region hold for achieving carbon neutrality, and what pathways should it pursue? On May 23, these questions were addressed at the 2025 Western China Carbon Neutrality and Green Low-Carbon High-Quality Development Forum, a flagship event of the 7th WCIFIT, held at the Chongqing International Expo Center, where participating experts offered their insights.
"Western China boasts expansive territory and abundant resources, with particularly commendable potential in wind, solar, and hydropower - all clean energy sources," said Zhang Juntao, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Energy Conservation Association and Secretary-General of its Carbon Neutrality Committee. He noted that while Chongqing currently relies heavily on coal-fired power generation, the region should actively explore low-carbon pathways to 'green' its energy mix in the future.
"The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has built a collaborative bridge between China's western regions and the world." remarked Datuk Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, Director General of Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). He emphasized the immense development potential of Western China, highlighting the expertise of provinces like Chongqing and Sichuan in sectors such as food processing and renewable energy. Leveraging the Corridor, he added, Western China could become an ideal partner for Malaysia in advancing sustainable palm oil production.
Photograph courtesy of reporter Zhang Jinhui/ Visual Chongqing
How should Western China chart its carbon neutrality path, endowed with both the 'timely advantage' of abundant resources and the 'geographical advantage' of strategic connectivity?
"Carbon neutrality isn't as complex as many assume!" remarked Pan Jiahua, Director of the Carbon Neutrality Committee of China Energy Conservation Association and Vice Chair of the National Expert Committee on Climate Change. He emphasized that achieving "zero-carbon" development hinges on two critical factors: restructuring industrial systems and aligning them with end-consumer demand.
Illustrating this point, Pan explained that fossil fuels like petroleum undergo exploration, extraction, refining, and conversion before being used in conventional vehicles. In contrast, renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics (PV) involve manufacturing, installation, and utilization to power new energy vehicles - a process that inherently embodies industrial restructuring. In 2024 alone, China added 278 million kilowatts of new PV capacity, with distributed solar generation emerging as a pivotal force in the energy transition. Western China, he noted, should seize this opportunity by capitalizing on its resource advantages to accelerate green, low-carbon development.
While the industrial sector remains a cornerstone of national economic growth, it is also the largest consumer of energy and emitter of carbon. How to build a "zero-carbon" industry? Dai Yande, former Director of the National Energy Research Institute, advocated for industry-specific strategies. For instance, he cited research showing that the steel sector must prioritize energy efficiency improvements and process innovation, while the construction materials industry should focus on demand reduction and carbon-negative technologies - particularly those centered on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). A phased, pragmatic approach, he stressed, is essential to achieving high-quality carbon neutrality.
Fang Qing, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors at the China Energy Conservation Association, offered concrete recommendations for Western China's carbon neutrality and green, high-quality development. He highlighted the dual role of the region as both China's ecological safeguard and energy base. Key measures include refining policy frameworks to channel private investment into green industries; strengthening innovation-driven development through increased R&D funding and commercialization of core low-carbon technologies; cultivating talent in green and low-carbon fields; and enhancing regional and international collaboration to adopt global best practices and proven solutions.
Source: New Chongqing - Chongqing Daily
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