On 20–21 April 2024, the 2nd China Carbon Finance Forum, co-hosted by the China Energy Conservation Association (CECA) and the China Quality Certification Centre (CQC), was held in Shanghai. WeCarbon took part by invitation.
Under the theme “Turning Green into Gold, Bringing Carbon to Zero”, the forum shared strong academic research and practical cases in finance and carbon asset management. It took a close look at the core elements of the carbon finance market, including the entities, sectors and product types it covers, and at China's carbon finance system, and discussed the problems and opportunities in developing and applying carbon assets and carbon finance products. Participants explored how carbon finance can open up green, low-carbon investment and financing opportunities, contributing ideas on how to align high-quality economic growth with emissions reduction and achieve efficient, low-cost carbon neutrality.
The opening ceremony was chaired by CECA Chief Supervisor and Honorary Director of the CECA Carbon Neutrality Committee Fang Qing. On behalf of the organisers, CECA Chairman, Vice President of Tsinghua University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Jiang Peixue and CQC Director Xie Zhaoxu welcomed the guests. Opening addresses were given by former Deputy Director-General of the NDRC Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection Zhao Penggao and First-Level Inspector of the Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Jiang Zhaoli. Finance professional and former CEO of China International Capital Corporation (CICC) Levin Zhu delivered the opening keynote.
To make solid progress towards China's sustainability goals, the forum held a series of launches: the “Launch of the CECA Carbon Neutrality Committee Sustainability Industry Incubator”, the “Launch of the Zero-Carbon Factory China Tour”, the “Zero-Carbon Factory Certificate Presentation”, and the “Launch of Five CECA Group Standards”: “Management Specification for Mutual Trust in Carbon Emission Reduction Data”, “Evaluation Standard for the Construction of Digital Carbon Management Platforms for Energy-Using Entities”, “Digital Carbon Management Platforms for Energy-Using Entities: Data Requirements”, “Digital Carbon Management Platforms for Energy-Using Entities: General Technical Requirements” and “Digital Carbon Management Platforms for Energy-Using Entities: Overall Framework”. Through practical delivery in industry incubation, industrial decarbonisation and standard setting, these initiatives help China reach its sustainability goals sooner.
As a signatory service provider to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) and a company on a national ministry's carbon neutrality services whitelist, WeCarbon is committed to advancing low-carbon pathways with advanced technology. Drawing on experience from China and abroad, it provides companies with sustainability and ESG transition solutions focused on sustainable business value, helping them gain an early advantage in the sustainability transition.