[International Energy Network, Live Report] On the afternoon of December 11, local time, the “From Arid Zones to Zero-Carbon Industrial Parks: Building Sustainable Energy Industry Systems” was held at the China Pavilion of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh. This side event was hosted by the Center for Energy Transition and Social Development School of Social Sciences Tsinghua University, co-hosted by the China Arab Green Development Cooperation Center and International Energy Network.
This side event will highlight successful practices of zero-carbon industrial parks globally and explore Chinese enterprises’ contributions to developing sustainable energy industries in the Middle East. By leveraging the vast land resources of arid regions, large-scale wind and solar energy projects are being developed while attracting investments in energy-related manufacturing. This approach aims to establish sustainable energy industry systems, contributing to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Guests attending the event included Jia Xiaoxia,Deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration’s Department of Desertification Control and Paul van Son, Chairman of Desertec Industrial Initiative (Dii) and Zeng Zhiyong , Dean of Zero-Carbon International Research Institute, China Zero-Carbon Clean Energy Co., Ltd and Fu Kai, Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization and LU Xuefeng , Director of Middle East Legal and Business Research Center of Shanghai University.
At the beginning of the event, Deputy Director Jia Xiaoxia,deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration’s Department of Desertification Control stated in her speech: Desertification refers to land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions caused by various factors, including climate change and human activities, encompassing issues such as soil degradation and reduced biological productivity. The severity of global land degradation cannot be overlooked. Through this event, we hope to collaborate with international partners to apply China’s practices in the new era to broader desert management, achieving zero growth in land degradation.
Paul van Son, Chairman, Desertec Industrial Initiative (Dii), elaborated on the theme of “Cooperation for Accelerated Energy Transition” Paul van Son said: As the global climate crisis intensifies, countries need to enhance international cooperation to overcome challenges in renewable energy storage and transmission, accelerate energy transition, and successfully achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets while maintaining robust economic development, thereby driving the global response to climate change.
Paul van Son, Chairman, Desertec Industrial Initiative (Dii)
Zeng Zhiyong, Dean, Zero-Carbon International Research Institute, China Zero-Carbon Clean Energy Co., Ltd, delivered a keynote speech centered on “Thoughts on Desert Control in Saudi Arabia”, Zeng Zhiyong pointed out that Saudi Arabia’s geographical location is uniquely advantageous for developing new energy sources. Located between the 20th and 30th parallels north, Saudi Arabia enjoys abundant sunshine, averaging 2,200 kWh per square meter. According to the General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia, the total installed power generation capacity is expected to reach at least 122.6 GW by 2030. The Saudi Energy Ministry has formulated renewable energy development planning goals as an important part of realizing the “Vision 2030.” By 2030, half of Saudi Arabia’s total installed power generation capacity will consist of new energy sources. The gap between the current development status and planning goals makes Saudi Arabia’s new energy market full of potential.
Zeng Zhiyong, Dean, Zero-Carbon International Research Institute, China Zero-Carbon Clean Energy Co., Ltd.
Dr. Fu Kai , Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization shared his views on “Energy Interconnection and Energy Transition in the MENA Region”, Fu Kai pointed out that it is necessary to accelerate the development of large-scale clean energy bases, such as solar energy bases and wind power bases in the Arabian Peninsula and the Sahara Desert. Strengthen grid construction and interconnection. Strengthen the construction and upgrading of backbone grids in Middle Eastern and North African countries, increasing cross-border power exchange capabilities. Promote cross-regional construction and cross-continental transmission corridors with East Africa, South Asia, and Europe to achieve clean energy development, export, and complementarity.
Fu Kai , Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization
Cao Yongjie, General Manager, GEnergy Technology Co., Ltd, delivered a speech on the theme of “Cocoon SPACE Industrial Park Zero (Low) Carbon Park Construction Practices” from four aspects: creative method steps, how to establish zero (low) carbon parks, investment returns, and experience summarization.
Cao Yongjie, General Manager, GEnergy Technology Co., Ltd.
Lu Xuefeng, Director, Middle East Legal and Business Research Center, Shanghai University, delivered a keynote speech on the theme of “Key Legal Considerations and Risk Management for Investing in Saudi Arabia” ,Lu Xuefeng pointed out that regarding the legal key points and risk management for investing in Saudi Arabia, attention should be paid to legal practice risks and social integration risks. Legal practice risks mainly manifest as vague legal provisions, limited enforcement, and differential treatment. In response, local agents should be entrusted, legal advisors should be consulted, and actions should comply with the law. Social integration risks mainly manifest as differences in cultural and religious customs. In response, attention should be paid to cross-cultural curriculum education and consultants should be hired.
Lu Xuefeng, Director, Middle East Legal and Business Research Center, Shanghai University
Gao Sheng,General Manager, Zhejiang Gaoming New Material Technology Co., Ltd, shared his views on “BIPV Transformation and Renewal for Old Industrial Parks” from four aspects: BIPV application scenarios, BIPV in buildings, BIPV retrofitting of existing buildings, and BIPV technology as a low-carbon “pioneer” in buildings.
Gao Sheng,General Manager, Zhejiang Gaoming New Material Technology Co., Ltd.
Ma Leilei, Managing Partner, Dragon United Law Firm, Saudi Arabia, conducted a detailed analysis of “Overview and Analysis of Legal Dispute Cases in Saudi Arabia” through numerous practical cases. She pointed out that in the face of infringement, it is important to enhance self-protection awareness and the ability to safeguard rights according to the law.
This side event will highlight successful practices of zero-carbon industrial parks globally and explore Chinese enterprises’ contributions to developing sustainable energy industries in the Middle East. By leveraging the vast land resources of arid regions, large-scale wind and solar energy projects are being developed while attracting investments in energy-related manufacturing. This approach aims to establish sustainable energy industry systems, contributing to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
