by Zheng Yin

As the world confronts accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss, green development is no longer a policy preference -- it is an imperative.

For countries with global influence like China and the UK, their shared responsibility to lead the global green transition is not just evident. It's urgent.

Both countries have made sustainability a central pillar of their development agenda. China is making active efforts to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. The UK is also advancing its ambitious goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. China's path toward modernization is increasingly defined by its vision of "harmony between humanity and nature." It is a vision that aligns closely with the UK's green ambitions.

Such common ground presents an extraordinary opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation in the realm of green development.

China's domestic green transformation is already reshaping global supply chains. Nearly 40 percent of the country's electricity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, and renewables account for more than half of its installed power capacity. China is also the world's largest producer of clean energy technologies -- manufacturing nearly 60 percent of wind power equipment and 80 percent of solar photovoltaic components globally. In the electric vehicle (EV) sector, it is the undisputed leader, home to more than half of the world's EVs.

This industrial strength is increasingly visible on UK roads. Chinese firms such as BYD and Geely have become fixtures of the British market, from electric double-decker buses to London's iconic black cabs. Their investments go beyond exports -- they are driving innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to the UK's green industrial transformation.

As Mike Hawes, head of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders pointed out, these collaborations have yielded practical outcomes and new technology that benefit both countries. Former UK Investment Minister Lord Gerry Grimstone similarly pointed to growing Chinese investment in the UK's green infrastructure, from offshore wind to energy storage. The opportunities for deeper alignment in clean technology are real -- and ripe for the taking.

In recent years, green finance has gained remarkable momentum on the international stage. As two of the world's most influential financial centers, China and the UK are uniquely positioned to shape this transformation. That potential was underscored during the visit to China by Lord Mayor of the City of London Alastair King last March, who highlighted green finance, sustainable development, and clean energy as key areas for collaboration.

Just weeks later, China issued a historic 6 billion yuan (840 million U.S. dollars) green sovereign bond on the London Stock Exchange -- the first of its kind to be denominated in RMB. This milestone not only reflects growing financial integration but also signals a shared commitment to supporting the low-carbon economy.

Yet ambition alone will not deliver results. To translate potential into progress, China and the UK must make more efforts to ensure policy coordination, regulatory clarity, and a level playing field for business.

Encouragingly, a new round of the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue earlier this year produced commitments to strengthening cooperation on industrial policy, automotive standards, and digital innovation -- a strong signal of intent on both sides. The recent ministerial dialogues on climate and environment further demonstrate the two sides' commitment and leadership in relevant fields. The planned meeting of the China-UK joint economic and trade commission may inject new impetus.

With sustained political will and active business engagement, this partnership can help accelerate the global low-carbon transition, driving innovation, investment and shared prosperity.

The future of the planet demands bold, cooperative leadership. China and the UK, with their expertise, resources and global influence, should lead by example.

Editor's note: The author is an international affairs observer.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Xinhua News Agency.