Climate Watch

In a time of global uncertainty, it can feel harder than ever to unite communities around urgent issues like climate change. For scholars Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim of Yale University, the answers may lie in the past. Drawing on spiritual and ethical traditions from across cultures, they believe that humanity's relationship with nature must be guided by values as much as science. From the th...

In a time of global uncertainty, it can feel harder than ever to unite communities around urgent issues like climate change. For scholars Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim of Yale University, the answers may lie in the past. Drawing on spiritual and ethical traditions from across cultures, they believe that humanity's relationship with nature must be guided by values as much as science. From the th...

This Earth Day, we take a hard look at an unexpected force shaping the future of clean technology: tariffs. As countries race to build green industries like EVs and batteries, trade tensions are starting to influence who gets ahead. In this episode of Climate Watch, Fei Fei speaks with Kyle Chan, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University and author of the newsletter High Capacity. We unpac...

In this episode of Climate Watch, Fei Fei explores how U.S. tariffs are shaping the clean energy transition in Asia. We speak with Putra Adhiguna, Managing Director of the Energy Shift Institute in Jakarta, to understand how countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia are being affected by shifting U.S. trade policies on clean energy. From trade routes to solar supply chains, this episode look...

Forests are taking center stage in China’s climate and development strategy. The country aims to meet its climate goals while also improving rural livelihoods by leveraging its abundant forest resources. But forests aren’t just about trees as we typically imagine—bamboo is also part of the picture. With a national three-year plan to boost the bamboo industry wrapping up this year, could this fast-...

According to the United Nations, about a third of the global population still relies on polluting fuels for cooking, posing serious health risks. A recent study, “Energy–Poverty–Inequality SDGs: A Large-Scale Household Analysis and Forecasting in China,” reveals that access to clean cooking fuels not only improves health but is also linked to rising incomes and reduced inequality. The transition t...

2025 is the International Year of Glacier Preservation, and this week marks both World Day for Glaciers (March 21) and World Water Day (March 22)—a crucial moment to spotlight these vulnerable giants. What can we do to slow down the loss? And what does the future hold for the Third Pole? Climate Watch spoke with Ding Minghu with the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences. With 20 years of expe...

China is developing a nationwide carbon footprint management system—but how will it work, and will it lead to real emissions reductions? In this episode, we break down what a carbon footprint actually means, how it's calculated, and whether companies are truly cutting emissions or just using sustainability as a marketing tool, with Professor Xu Ming from Tsinghua University. He's a leading expert...

March 8 marks International Women’s Day, and in this special edition of Climate Watch, we spotlight female leadership in climate action and the fresh perspectives women bring to climate solutions. We sit down with two remarkable Chinese women to explore their journeys in climate action, self-discovery, and beyond. This episode also marks the launch of our collaboration with Professor Wang Binbin o...

We dive into China’s plans for zero-carbon industrial parks. With the Two Sessions approaching, lawmakers are expected to focus on key policy priorities, including green development. Last year, the Central Economic Work Conference outlined the construction of these parks as a major goal. We speak with Song Yuyan, Director General of the Secretariat of Green Partnership of Industrial Parks China, a...

In this episode, we dive into China’s latest energy reform targeting renewable power—shifting from fixed subsidies to market-driven electricity pricing. With the goal of balancing affordability, profitability, and sustainability, how will this change impact consumers, businesses, and the environment? What does this shift mean for both the renewable and thermal power generation in the country? Asso...

President Donald Trump has introduced a series of new tariffs targeting key trading partners on top of tariffs on steel, aluminum, and Chinese imports. These policies are raising questions about how trade restrictions could impact industries like solar energy, which is crucial to the world’s clean energy future. We explore these developments through a conversation with Linxiao Zhu, a Policy Adviso...

Farmers are facing increasingly extreme weather—floods, droughts, and storms that threaten food production and livelihoods. In this episode, we spoke with Associate Professor Liu Juan from China Agricultural University about how small-scale farmers, large agribusinesses, and rural communities are adapting to these growing challenges. We explore the role of policy, technology, and consumer choices...

Welcome to a bonus episode of Climate Watch in celebrations of the Year of the Snake. We’re taking a slithery detour from our usual conversations with experts and business insiders to delve into the fascinating world of snakes.

In this episode, we explore the implications of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement once again. Trump’s stance has reshaped the global climate conversation, but how has the U.S. climate community adapted over time? What does this mean for future climate action, both in the U.S. and globally? We broke down the significance of this shift and explored what coul...

As wildfires sweep through Southern California, experts have extensively explained their connection to climate change. With fires growing more intense and frequent, it’s crucial to understand the mix of natural and human factors behind them. From prolonged droughts and dry winds to expanding urban sprawl in fire-prone areas, we examine how these elements contribute to the recent blazes. But beyond...

Hydrogen has become a key topic in China’s energy discussions. At the start of the year, Chinese authorities unveiled a plan to promote clean and low-carbon hydrogen in the industrial sector, building on growing support from provincial and city governments. In this episode, we dive into hydrogen’s evolving role in the energy transition with insights from Professor Liu Ke of the Southern University...

In this episode of Climate Watch, we explore the significance of China’s first-ever Energy Law, which aims to support renewable energy development and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Why did it take two decades to finalize? What does it mean for China’s carbon neutrality goals? We unpacked these questions with Professor Lin Boqiang of Xiamen University.

Happy holidays! In this year-end special, we look back on 2024 and its significant impact on humanity and the planet. This episode revisits key discussions about how climate change is transforming food systems, affecting public health, and testing global responses. These conversations inspire us to reconsider our connection with nature and envision a future where humans and the planet thrive toget...

Last week, Chinese leaders gathered in Beijing for the Central Economic Work Conference to review this year’s progress and set priorities for 2025. While the meeting often grabs headlines for its economic and financial signals, it also carries major implications for climate policy. In this episode, we unpack the key takeaways from the conference, focusing on green and low-carbon development, carbo...

Desertification is a growing threat to ecosystems and livelihoods worldwide. Innovative solutions are making a difference. This week at COP16 in Riyadh, China highlighted its decades-long fight against desertification, showcasing projects that blend ecological restoration with community development. From the expansive Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program to collaboration on Africa's Great Green...

Another international meeting aimed at addressing plastic pollution has ended without an agreement. INC-5, held in South Korea, was expected to make significant progress toward a global plastics treaty. Instead, we heard familiar calls for urgency and action—echoes of the recent COP29 climate summit. But are these urgent messages losing their impact? In this episod, we explore why we should reshap...

COP29 has wrapped up in Baku, and while a deal was reached, many left wondering if it’s enough. Wealthy nations pledged US$300 billion annually to support developing countries—but is it really sufficient to address the climate crisis? In this episode, we explore the complexities behind climate finance with Liu Shuang, China Finance Director at the World Resources Institute. We also explored the ro...

Welcome to our COP29 special series, Greener China: A journey to 2060. Carbon intensive industrial plants in Northeast China are committed to a green production path amid the country’s target to reach carbon net zero by 2060. However, issues like funds, technology and talent exodus are slowing down their steps. We explore what challenges the industrial giants in the region encounter and what the p...

Welcome to our COP29 special series, Greener China: A journey to 2060. A 2022 report from the International Energy Agency revealed that the industrial sector contributes over a quarter of global CO2 emissions. In China’s pursuit of carbon neutrality, heavy industrial bases in the northeastern region play a key role with their transformation to green production. We uncover what measures the industr...