China has also set up a special department in charge of climate issues and ushered in the concept of "ecological civilization" and "greening China" to make more people aware of the costs of energy-and resource-intensive development. Xie has carried these eco-friendly concepts to the global climate talks. As China's lead negotiator at the 2009 Copenhagen talks, Xie made Herculean efforts to negotiate a deal.

China has intensified its efforts in climate diplomacy over the past years. At the 2013 Warsaw talks, Xie's team even softened China's stance on the "common but differential principle", which means advanced countries should share more responsibilities in curbing carbon pollution. From Warsaw, China took the "I want to do" stance by saying it is cutting carbon emissions because of self-responsibility, not foreign pressure.

Xie should also be remembered for enabling China and US, the world's largest carbon emitters, to set up a working group on climate change in 2013. In November, the two countries signed a historic joint climate pact, with China saying that its carbon emission may peak around 2030, drawing praise from the international community.

Xie has been awarded by the UN, Global Environment Fund and the World Bank for his contribution to environmental protection, which shows he can make a difference at the Paris climate conference, which is as important as any international trade and financial talks.

If the Paris talks are a success, Xie can proudly say his political and environmental career too has been a success.

The author is China Daily chief correspondent in Brussels. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn