Global Energy Policy and the SCO’s Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

Diverging Global Energy Policies and Implications for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

• Recent policy shifts in some developed nations, such as the United States’ “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” of 2025, indicate a renewed focus on fossil fuels, despite sustained growth in global renewable energy investment.
• These policies, which include reduced tax incentives for clean energy, present a significant challenge to the global progress towards SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• This trend towards traditional energy sources risks disturbing the global energy supply-demand balance, hindering the green transition, and worsening climate change.

China’s National Strategy for Energy Security and Alignment with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

1. Promoting Renewable Energy Development: The Chinese government continues to support research and development in clean energy technologies, such as wind and solar power, through subsidy policies. This directly contributes to achieving targets under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
2. Ensuring Energy Supply Stability: To counter potential international market instability, China has diversified its crude oil import channels by securing long-term supply agreements with key producing countries.
3. Engaging in Global Energy Governance: China actively participates in multilateral platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS to advocate for a fair global energy governance system and collaborative climate action, reinforcing its commitment to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a Framework for Achieving SDGs

• The SCO serves as a critical platform for member states to advance people-centered development, protect the ecological environment, and achieve a sustainable energy transition.
• A joint statement from the sixth meeting of SCO environmental ministers reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to strengthening cooperation to achieve sustainable development.
• The SCO summit in Tianjin announced plans to promote cooperation in green industry and sustainable energy, aligning with multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

Key Areas of SCO Cooperation and Contribution to Specific SDGs

Sustainable Energy Development (SDG 7)

• The SCO emphasizes safeguarding energy security and ensuring market stability while advancing an energy transition tailored to each nation’s specific circumstances, a core principle of SDG 7.
• Member states will engage in pragmatic collaboration through joint projects, including the development of new energy infrastructure.
• Cooperation will focus on advancing scientific and technological innovation by developing and applying advanced energy technologies.

Green Industry Cooperation (SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 12)

• Member states will deepen policy and information exchange to advance the integrated development of green industry supply chains, supporting SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• Efforts will be made to research unified green industry standards compliant with international norms.
• Cooperation will be strengthened to promote the research, development, and dissemination of advanced green technologies, directly contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and fostering sustainable economic growth under SDG 8.

China’s Role in Fostering Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Development (SDG 17)

1. Infrastructure Development: Guided by the “Shanghai Spirit,” China promotes the joint construction of key energy infrastructure, such as oil pipelines and power grids along Belt and Road routes, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting SDG 9.
2. Technological Exchange: China shares technical expertise in clean energy with SCO member states, facilitating their collective transition towards achieving SDG 7.
3. Financial Support: The China-Eurasia Economic Cooperation Fund provides financial backing for green energy projects, enabling investment in the green economy across SCO member states and promoting long-term sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • The article’s central theme is the global energy landscape, focusing on the tension between fossil fuels and renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. It discusses China’s efforts to develop its “new energy sector,” achieve an “energy transition,” and promote “sustainable energy development” through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which directly aligns with the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article explicitly states that the policy shifts back toward fossil fuels are a reason why “climate change is worsening.” It highlights China’s commitment to a “low-carbon and green development path” and calls for joint efforts by all countries to “address climate change.” This demonstrates a clear connection to taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The text emphasizes “green industry cooperation,” “R&D in clean energy technologies,” and the “joint construction of key facilities such as oil pipelines and power grids.” These points relate directly to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article is framed around the importance of multilateral cooperation, specifically through the SCO and BRICS. It details how China is using these platforms for “pragmatic collaboration through joint projects,” “policy and information exchange,” sharing “technical expertise,” and providing “financial support” to advance sustainable development. This embodies the spirit of strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article discusses the “sustained growth in global investment in renewable energy” and China’s promotion of “wind and solar power” to optimize its energy structure.
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The article describes SCO cooperation in “developing and applying advanced energy technologies,” sharing “technical expertise in the development and use of clean energy,” and financial support through the “China-Eurasia Economic Cooperation Fund” for green energy projects.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. China’s series of measures to “expeditiously optimize and upgrade its energy structure” and adhere to its “low-carbon and green development path” are examples of integrating climate action into national policy.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The article’s focus on “green industry cooperation,” promoting the “research, development, and dissemination of advanced green technologies,” and researching “unified green industry standards” directly supports this target.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries. The Chinese government’s policy of “supporting R&D in clean energy technologies” and encouraging “enterprises to innovate through subsidy policies” is a clear example.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The article highlights cooperation within the SCO framework to advance “scientific and technological innovation” and share “experiences and best practices in the green industry sector.”
   • Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries. China “shares its rich experiences and technical expertise in the development and use of clean energy with other SCO member states,” which is a direct application of this target.
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships. The article presents the SCO as a “collaborative platform” to achieve sustainable development, protect the environment, and refine the “global governance system,” which aligns with this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 7

   • Implied Indicator for Target 7.2: The article mentions “global investment in renewable energy” and the development of “wind and solar power,” implying that the amount of investment and the installed capacity of renewable energy sources are key metrics for progress.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 7.a: The “China-Eurasia Economic Cooperation Fund” is mentioned as providing financial support. The volume of financial flows dedicated to clean energy projects in developing countries can be seen as a direct indicator.

2. Indicators for SDG 9

   • Implied Indicator for Target 9.4: The call to research “unified green industry standards” implies that the adoption of such standards would be a measurable indicator of progress toward sustainable industrialization.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 9.b: The use of “subsidy policies” to encourage innovation suggests that the amount of government funding or subsidies allocated to R&D in clean technologies could serve as an indicator.

3. Indicators for SDG 17

   • Implied Indicator for Target 17.6: The article mentions the signing of a “joint statement” by SCO environmental ministers and “multiple long-term oil supply agreements.” The number of international agreements and joint projects focused on technology and sustainable development is an implied indicator.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 17.7: The number of “scientific research cooperation projects” aimed at disseminating green technologies, as mentioned in the context of SCO cooperation, could be used as a metric.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: chinadaily.com.cn