Advancing an Eco-Friendly Partnership

Home to over 30 percent of the world’s critical mineral reserves, Africa contributes just about 4 percent of global carbon emissions, and yet the region bears the brunt of the impacts of climate change due to its high exposure, underdevelopment, weak economy, and limited financial resources for adaptation.

In 2023 alone, at least 15,700 people lost their lives to disasters caused by extreme weather, while another 34 million were affected by the climate crisis in various ways. As Africa’s vast natural resources continue to attract interest from superpowers, particularly for securing essential materials for manufacturing and technology, the continent also grapples with the environmental and socio-economic consequences of resource extraction, such as waste, emissions, and effluents that affect water, air, and soil. These adverse effects make resource security and sustainability central issues in global geopolitics.

Thus, humanity must begin to utilise resources more efficiently, with less damage to the environment and human health. It is a fact that climate change results from unsustainable development models, and we must use Africa’s natural resources sustainably.

China’s presence in Africa has dramatically expanded since the mid-1990s. Despite the significant benefits China’s partnerships bring to Africa’s economic growth, the Chinese government also recognises the environmental impact of exploring Africa’s resources. In light of this, it is necessary to examine the evolving nature of resource security and sustainability and explore how these issues are being addressed to safeguard the China-Africa community of shared future.

Chinese advancements

Today, China has made significant advances in green development, particularly in the development of advanced technologies for renewable energy and electric vehicles. China is also known for its three new industrial chain capacity advantages: photovoltaics, wind power, and batteries. In 2023, China accounted for over 60 percent of global EV production, over 70 percent of lithium battery production, and over 80 percent of solar panel production. These achievements have greatly enhanced China’s clean energy sector and green economy, which are integral to its modernisation process.

This underscores the importance China attaches to climate action. The country has charted a course for a new form of climate governance, bringing it to the centre stage of global climate discussions. For instance, the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, delivered on 16 October 2022, states that “Chinese modernisation is pursuing high-quality development … enriching people’s cultural lives, achieving common prosperity for all, promoting harmony between humanity and nature while building a human community with a shared future …”

These accomplishments highlight the complementary relationship between China and Africa, creating broad opportunities for cooperation in areas such as food and energy (especially renewable energy), manufacturing, infrastructure, and critical minerals. China’s path, experience, and practices of modernisation have valuable applicability and reference for African countries. Therefore, as China continues to broaden its engagement with Africa, it must persistently contribute to Africa’s eco-friendly modernisation through resource management, technology, and innovation.

At the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping announced eight major initiatives for collaboration, outlining a blueprint for the future of China-Africa relations, including industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, green development, capacity building, health care, people-to-people exchange, and peace and security. Green development and capacity building are crucial to ensuring Africa’s eco-friendly modernisation, resource management, and the development of green energy.

In his keynote address at the opening of the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, President Xi reiterated China’s commitment to narrowing Africa’s energy accessibility gap and collaborating with Africa on its transition to green and low-carbon development. He pledged that China would launch 30 clean energy projects in Africa, cooperate in mitigation and relief efforts, promote biodiversity conservation, and establish 30 joint laboratories to assist with green development in Africa.

This is a promise Africa must hold onto as it engages with China. Furthermore, under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has committed to promoting green development in areas such as green infrastructure, green energy, and green transportation, while stepping up support for the BRI International Green Development Coalition.

Future steps

So, what is next? How will China and Africa achieve eco-friendly modernisation?

This goal is not far-fetched. China’s support for Africa’s eco-friendly modernisation should first focus on governance and capacity building. China should deepen its experience-sharing on modernisation processes with African countries. When African countries are ready, China can assist them in formulating economic and social development plans, building governing capacity, and enhancing the effectiveness of state governance.

Second, technology and innovation are key to any country’s development. Sustainability concerns are especially important in broadening the scope of economic growth beyond mere statistical indicators to encompass reforms that foster a high degree of industrialisation and technological know-how. Technological change itself is responsible for up to three-quarters of any nation’s growth and development. In other words, Africa’s economic growth could stagnate if it fails to advance technologically. Therefore, China’s promise of technology transfer is vital. However, the transfer of technology between China and Africa must be environmentally friendly to safeguard the future.

Finally, China should continue to promote green development through its Belt and Road Initiative with Africa. The 2021 Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development, signed by China and 28 countries, advocates addressing climate change through actions guided by the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and respective capabilities, thereby driving China-Africa resource and technology cooperation.

In conclusion, both China and African countries recognise their interconnectedness, understanding that what occurs in one region can significantly impact others. Therefore, working together is not just a moral obligation to support those in need but also an investment in the long-term prosperity of all parties involved. Challenges such as climate change can only be effectively mitigated through collaborative efforts.

The author is Professor of International Relations/Strategic Studies and China-Africa Studies with Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, and Distinguished Visiting Professor, Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, China.