Climate Watch
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Climate Watch delves into the pressing climate tipping points that loom large on the horizon. We deliver the latest updates on the climate change landscape and shed light on the urgent need for collective efforts in tackling climate change. By talking to locals, experts, and activists from across the world, we aim to inspire and empower listeners to be part of the solution. Join our weekly journey into the heart of climate change for a sustainable future for generations to come.
141 Episodes
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The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement, will enter into force on 17 January, marking a major step in global ocean governance. What does it do, who benefits, and will it truly change how the high seas are managed? Zhao Ying speaks with Zhang Yimo, Priority Project Coordinator of WWF China's Sustainable Blue Economy Program.
As global temperatures continue to rise due to greenhouse gas emissions, can we dim the sunlight to cool the Earth?
The idea may sound extreme, but solar radiation management, or solar geo-engineering, has already become a serious subject of scientific research. And it's not just scientists—billionaires like Elon Musk and Bill Gates have also shown interest.
How viable is this concept in practice? What ethical, environmental, and global governance challenges could it bring?
Zhao Ying speaks with John Moore, a research professor at the Arctic Center, University of Lapland in Finland. From 2015 to '22, he led the Chinese geoengineering research program while serving as Chief Scientist at the College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University.
As the year comes to a close, we step back to look at what 2025 tells us about where we are on climate change. What climate events mattered most? Where did we see real momentum, and where are the biggest risks? And as we head into 2026, what should we be watching most closely? Zhao Ying speaks with Fei Fei to unpack it all.
For years, critics in Washington and Brussels have warned about China producing "too many" solar panels. But could this so-called "overcapacity" actually be the key to solving Africa's energy crisis?
A recent report by global energy think tank Ember shows that Africa’s imports of Chinese solar panels surged by 60% in the year leading up to June, marking the first signs of a solar take-off across the continent.
Zhao Ying speaks with Dave Jones, co-founder of Ember and the author of this report, to explore the potential for solar energy to transform Africa's energy landscape.
Cities are home to over half of the world's population. With rapid urban growth, it becomes increasingly crucial for cities not just to survive, but to build resilience for future generations.
The 2025 Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities, or Shanghai Award, offers a glimpse of that diversity. The award is jointly organized by UN-Habitat and the Shanghai Municipality. The winners – Algiers, Al Madinah, Bogotá, Espoo, and Incheon – each show a unique pathway toward sustainable urban development.
Zhao Ying speaks with Bai Xuemei, Professor of Urban Environment and Human Ecology at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, to explore what we can learn from their experiences.
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.
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