Highlights and images for 10 October 2024

At the opening session of CCICED’s 32nd Council meeting, many speakers applauded the platform’s research and policy contributions. Achim Steiner, Administrator, UN Development Programme (UNDP), recognized China’s “extraordinary gesture” and vision for collaboration through CCICED. Similar statements by the Council’s Executive Vice Chairpersons emphasized the value and urgency of CCICED’s 2024 theme, “Open, Inclusive and Innovative Cooperation to Build a Clean and Beautiful World.” Another key aspect of this year’s theme was the importance of addressing environmental and development challenges through innovation. Kristin Halvorsen, Director, Center for International Climate Research (CICERO), highlighted the world’s responsibility to find the right technologies to halt plastic pollution, among others.

In the keynote address, Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment (MEE), highlighted China’s commitment to promoting an inclusive and healthy planet. He outlined several achievements, including revising environmental laws, enhancing air pollution control, increasing green coverage and land recovery, investing in clean heating, and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Regarding CCICED’s role to provide innovative solutions to the Government of China, Huang emphasized the need to:

• conduct studies to enhance the ecological system, develop low-carbon mechanisms, and provide decision-making support to build a beautiful China;
• facilitate the low-carbon transition by creating integrated solutions to address the climate change crisis and ensure a better future; and
• connect China to the global community to create a safe and clean energy industry chain and enhance exchange and dialogue.

Via video message, Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP, said CCICED plays a critical role in addressing challenges globally, regionally and locally, and commended China for its strong leadership on the Global Biodiversity Framework. She expressed trust that China will continue its engagement and leadership to advance the transition to a circular economy and end plastic pollution with an “ambitious, credible and just” start to a Global Plastics treaty.

Xie Zhenhua, former Special Envoy on Climate Change, China, emphasized the need for a systemic approach that integrates climate responses with other social and environmental needs. He noted China’s early delivery of its climate commitments through expanding its renewable energy capacity by 2.5 times between 2020 and 2024.

Liu Shijin, CCICED Chinese Chief Adviser, introduced highlights from CCICED’s policy recommendations, noting the important role of long-term “patient capital” in supporting green technological innovation. He called for reviving negotiations on an agreement on environmental goods under the World Trade Organization (WTO) .

Following an overview of the CCICED’s 2024 Work Report, Scott Vaughan, CCICED International Chief Adviser, introduced the CCICED Issues Paper. Calling 2024 the Council’s busiest year to date, he emphasized the need for systemic coherence and integration across all working groups, and stressed international cooperation as crucial, since instability is rising and developing countries face increasing challenges.

Participants provided extensive feedback regarding the role and work of CCICED, including on:

• the potential for China to play a pivotal role in strengthening the global climate, biodiversity and plastic pollution agreements;
• convergence of the climate and biodiversity agendas; and
• the importance of encouraging a green open economy and green competition, advocating for a “people-centered approach.”