Change: Development Opportunities amid Crisis

New Opportunities for Developed Countries

China’s low-carbon development road also presents opportunities for other countries. The amount developed countries should contribute towards achieving target emission cuts was a main focus of the climate change conference. Many regard funding as a burden, but Italy has a different view. Director General of the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea Corrado Clini said in a speech at the China Pavilion in Warsaw that developed countries’ financial commitment to developing countries provides them with a political opportunity for development.

 China and Italy first cooperated on environmental protection in 2000. In the past decade or more, they have jointly carried out more than 200 projects. In that time, assistance funds from the Italian government have reached 185 million euros, according to Clini’s conservative estimate. The cooperation covers such aspects as transforming unsustainable production and consumption modes, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, energy efficiency and combating desertification. 

Investment in China’s environmental undertaking has brought Italy fruitful returns, as many Italian companies have found ways into the huge Chinese market. One example is that in 2008, when Beijing decided to purchase engines to update the city’s bus system from Italy’s Iveco rather than Cummins, the better known U.S. engine-maker.

 Although Italy is not a leader in environmental technology, its products suit the Chinese market, taking into consideration both quality and price. The country also helped Beijing construct air quality monitors and smart car systems, and Iveco donated 300 engines to Beijing that met the then world’s strictest EEV standards. Last September, the Italian government launched the Green Science and Technology Program in which 17 Italian companies were involved.

  Mr. Clini remarked that the series of actions China is carrying out provide unique opportunities for both developing and developed countries to participate in the joint pursuit of creative solutions to climate change. Xie Zhenhua defined China-Italy cooperation in this field as a model of South-North cooperation.

Climate change is a challenge that everyone must confront as a matter of urgency. Proactive exploration of new modes of environment-friendly development and of unified development and environmental protection is undoubtedly the wisest approach.