NEW YORK - China would play an important role as the climate challenge looms, a report published this month shows.

Named Guide to Chinese Climate Policy 2019 and authored by David Sandalow, an inaugural fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, the report examines Chinese carbon dioxide emissions, domestic and foreign policies regarding climate change in 2018.

It says that China has already played an important role in bringing down dramatically the cost of solar power and engaged in making electric vehicles. In 2018, China led the world in deployment of renewable energy, electric vehicles and nuclear power plants.

"The way China integrates climate change into economic development has the potential to be a model for many countries around the world" as many countries would like to emulate China's economic miracle with eyes closely on its development model, according to the report.

At a panel discussion on Wednesday evening marking the release of the report, Sandalow said it is exciting to see China's announcement of the green projects at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in April.