From the CCICED AGM’s packed agendas and equally packed rooms, it was clear that whole-of-society challenges require whole-of-society approaches to finding solutions. Congregating in seven Open Forums, participants attending the second day of the 2024 AGM heard policy recommendations from nine Special Policy Studies (SPS) conducted by CCICED. The studies revealed that action must take place in every segment of society in China to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
In the morning, three parallel Open Forums convened on: Biodiversity Conservation and Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF); Developing Effective Law Enforcement and Technical Support Strategies to Reduce Carbon Emissions and Pollution and Enhance Green Growth; and Digitalization – Greening for Climate Adaptation and Sustainability of Cities.
In the Forum on biodiversity, Huang Runqiu, Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, reminded participants that China was one of the first signatories to the Framework and has contributed RMB 1.5 billion to the newly-established Kunming Biodiversity Fund. Three discussion sessions focused on: ecological protection models for achieving the “30x30” conservation targets; finance and resource mobilization for the GBF; and CCICED policy recommendations on implementing the GBF.
The Forum on effective law enforcement heard research outputs on:
- major technology innovations for carbon and pollution reduction and the upgrades of air quality standards;
- innovative technologies and policies of constructing a zero-carbon energy system as central to the green transformation; and
- practical examples of cases and practices in developing legislative and judicial guarantees for carbon and pollution reduction and green growth.
The Forum on digitalization and green technologies included aspects of the research studies regarding:
- adaptation challenges, not only in developing climate-resilient infrastructure, but also in building resilience in global supply chains; and
- the application of digital technologies in developing “sustainable smart cities” that also can build social capital while continuing to provide opportunities for enterprise.
The afternoon continued at an unabated pace, with four parallel Forums presenting research outputs on: Building a Green Belt-and-Road Initiative (BRI) as a Mechanism to Advance South-South Cooperation; Promoting Green Transformation and Contributing to the Global Climate Agenda; We Share One Ocean - Accelerating the Blue Transition and Carbon Neutrality; and Promoting Green Finance to Guide the Development of New Quality Productive Forces.
In the Forum on a green BRI, following opening remarks by Minister Huang and the special advisor to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, two roundtables discussed the new paradigm and path for South-South cooperation, and how South-South cooperation can support achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Forum on green transformation promotion delved into solutions for China’s global green and low-carbon transition, international climate cooperation, and the role of China in the new landscape of climate governance.
In the Forum on One Ocean, participants convened to consider recommendations from SPS reports on ocean-based solutions for sustainable development, valuing the Ocean and advancing blue finance, and strategies for reducing ocean plastic pollution.
The Forum on green finance considered recommendations for policymakers in the financial sector presented in the SPS Report on the New Paradigm: Unlocking the Potential of Capital Markets. Two panels engaged on the role of capital markets in advancing technology innovation and industrial upgrading, and on innovative technologies that will introduce new trends in capital markets.
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All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For this event, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB - Diego Noguera
Promoting Harmony with Nature to Implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Moderator Huang Runqiu, CCICED Chinese Executive Vice Chairperson and Minister of Ecology and Environment, addresses participants at the beginning of the event.
Marco Lambertini, International Leader of Biodiversity SPS and Convener of the Nature Positive Initiative
Achim Steiner, CCICED Vice Chairperson, Under-Secretary-General of the UN, and UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator
Fuwen Wei, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Kirsten Schuijt, Director General, WWF International
Participants listen to keynote speeches.
Technical Support and Rule of Law for Enhancing Carbon Reduction, Pollution Reduction, and Green Growth
Participants gather for the Open Forum on “Technical Support and Rule of Law for Enhancing Carbon Reduction, Pollution Reduction, and Green Growth.”
Kebin He, Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Professor of the School of Environment and Dean of the Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Tsinghua University
Yu Lei, Director, Institute of Atmospheric Environment, Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Ministry of Ecology and Environment
Marjorie Yang, Chairman, Esquel Group
Dechen Tsering, Regional Director and Representative, Asia and the Pacific Office, UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
Digitalization–Greening for Urban Climate Adaptation and Sustainability of Cities
(L-R): Liu Gang, Chief Economist, Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies (CINGAI); Liu Shijin, CCICED Chinese Chief Adviser and former Deputy President, Development Research Center of the State Council, China; Ben Gulters, Director, Strategy, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Netherlands; and Li Xiaojiang, former President of the China Urban Planning and Design Research Institute
Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director, Centre for Nature and Climate, World Economic Forum
Liang Guoyong, Senior Economist, UNCTAD
Liu Gang, Chief Economist, CINGAI
Qing Hu, Professor, School of Environment, Southern University of Science and Technology, China
Promoting Green Finance for the Development of New-Quality Productive Forces
A view of the room during the afternoon open forum
Liu Shijin, CCICED Chinese Chief Adviser and former Deputy President, Development Research Center of the State Council, China
Huimin Wu, Managing Director, China International Capital Corporation Limited (CICC) Global Institute (CGI)
Promoting Green Transformation and Contributing to the Global Climate Agenda
Participants listen to the remarks by Liu Zhenmin, China's Special Envoy for Climate Change.
Kate Hampton, CEO, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
Scott Vaughan, CCICED International Chief Adviser
Building a Green BRI to Advance Global South-South Cooperation
Participants during the Forum held in the afternoon.
Oyun Sanjaasuren, Special Advisor of CCICED and Director of External Affairs, Green Climate Fund
Olga Dzhumaeva, Head of the East Asia Delegation, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Erik Solheim, Senior Adviser, World Resources Institute (WRI)
Larissa Wachholz, Senior Fellow, Brazilian Center of International Relations (CEBRI)
We Share One Ocean: Accelerating the Blue Transition and Carbon Neutrality
Delegates listen to the remarks by Lars Johanning, University of Exeter, UK
A slide from the presentation by Ling Cao, Xiamen University
Ling Cao, Xiamen University
Around the Venue
