China ‘two sessions’: new green sector in top advisory body signals zero carbon resolve but long road ahead, analysts warn

85 delegates will represent new ‘environment and natural resources’ sector when 14th CPPCC national committee starts first session on March 4

Analysts warn of ‘limited’ impact, given likelihood of inter-agency bottlenecks in vast nation, and urge strong legislation instead

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China remains the world’s No 1 greenhouse gas producer, with coal supplying over 60 per cent of its energy needs. Photo: AP

Published: 12:00pm, 18 Feb 2023Updated: 3:37pm, 18 Feb 2023

China has set up a new environment and natural resources bench for its top political advisory body – in a move seen as a positive signal for its zero carbon drive.

However, the real challenge will be creating a new low-carbon economic model after decades of dependence on highly polluting coal, analysts warn.

This comes as the recently reshuffled Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which advises Beijing on crucial political, economic, and social issues, gets ready to begin its five-year term next month.

The annual meetings of the CPPCC and the National People’s Congress or China’s legislature, known as the “two sessions” and usually held every March, represent the country’s most important political event of the year.

A total of 2,172 delegates from 34 sectors will attend the first session of the 14th CPPCC national committee from March 4.

The latest national committee features a newly introduced “environment and resources” sector, according to a list posted on the official CPPCC website in January.