Interview: China's leadership at COP29 benefits global energy transition, says Swiss explorer

This photo taken on Nov. 11, 2024 shows a Chinese-made electric vehicle serving for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

"I hope that COP29, with the support of China, will help developing countries to have better access to energy, health, and education," Piccard said.

by Martina Fuchs

GENEVA, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's leadership in clean technologies and proactive stance at COP29 can benefit the energy transition in developing countries, said Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard.

"China is one of the biggest investors for renewable energies, clean technologies, clean mobility, for batteries, photovoltaic, wind farms, China is playing a leading role," Piccard told Xinhua in a virtual interview, as the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) unfolds in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

"I respect and admire China a lot for what they have done until now. I hope they will continue and become a leader in investing in the developing countries to help them become cleaner and more efficient," said Piccard, founder and chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation.

Piccard, together with Brian Jones, was the first to complete a nonstop balloon flight around the globe in a balloon named Breitling Orbiter 3 in 1999. He was designated as a Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2012.

In 2016, Piccard and co-pilot Andre Borschberg completed their first-ever solar-powered flight around the world with the airplane Solar Impulse.

COP29 seeks to establish a new climate financing target to replace the existing pledge to mobilize 100 billion U.S. dollars per year to address the needs of developing countries.

"I hope that COP29, with the support of China, will help developing countries to have better access to energy, health, and education," Piccard said.

The conference, which runs until Nov. 22, will also discuss the global carbon market and the energy transition from fossil fuels.