To gain insight into local low carbon development and green finance innovation practices and explore opportunities for collaboration, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Hewlett Foundation, and the ClimateWorks Foundation went on a study tour to the Wuhan and Gui’an New Areas from August 22nd to 26th. Wuhan is one of the pilot cities for NRDC to conduct total coal consumption control and is an exemplary city for promoting the low-carbon transformation of heavy industries. The delegation met with the Wuhan Municipal Development and Reform Commission and representatives from relevant departments to discuss the policies and practices of Wuhan Municipality in energy conservation and emission reduction, industrial transformation and upgrading, and response to climate change. The delegation also visited the Hubei Carbon Emissions Trading Center to discuss in detail the progress under Hubei’s carbon trading pilot program, their innovative products, and future development plans. 

Guizhou is one of the five green financial reform and innovation pilot zones in China. In Gui’an New Area, the delegation held a symposium with the heads of green finance of the Gui’an New Area Administration Committee and bank representatives from 10 institutions to discuss how to use financial tools to support the development of green industries. The delegation also visits a few green finance pilot projects, including the local multi-functional energy distribution center, photovoltaic panel factory, electric vehicle factory, and green data storage tunnels.