New UK Ambassador promotes ambitious climate change collaboration in Guangdong

• Ambassador promoted the ‘Race to Zero’ campaign to reduce emissions
• UK and China are global leaders on climate change and this year will host COP 15 in Kunming and COP 26 in Glasgow
• The UK wants an ambitious climate change partnership with China

In Shenzhen the Ambassador visited the Shenzhen Bus Group and boarded a COP26-branded electric double-decker designed by BYD at the ‘Race to Zero – Green Transport Partnership Event’.

Race to Zero is a campaign to mobilise ‘net zero’ initiatives around the world. Road transport currently accounts for 10% of total global emissions.

At the event, the UK Ambassador to China, Caroline Wilson CMG, said:

I am really pleased to be in Shenzhen and I welcome the news that Shenzhen Bus Group and BYD have committed to supporting the Race to Zero Campaign.

The UK and South China already have a strong green partnership as we are collaborating on everything from green finance to green hydrogen and from civil nuclear to long-distance power transmission.

However I want us to be even more ambitious and expand our joint projects – a great example of this is the setting up of a new UK-China tech lab for offshore wind in Guandong.

The Ambassador met with the Mayor of Shenzhen Mr. Chen Rugui to discuss strengthening cooperation in climate change and green finance.

As part of her visit to Guangdong, Caroline Wilson also met with leaders in business to learn about future opportunities for collaboration and trade partnership.

She also experienced charging an electric vehicle at one of BP Xiaoju’s electric vehicle charging stations – showcasing a joint venture between BP and DIDI.

Starting from February 2020, the partnership has built and operated 340 EV charging points across 19 stations in Guangdong.

The Ambassador also visited the Design Society to announce a new creative collaboration between China Merchants Shekou and the UK’s V&A Museum.

Titled Fashioned from Nature, the collaboration will be officially open to the public from December 19th – and focuses on sustainable fashion and ethical consumption.