Mr. Huang Runqiu, CCICED Chinese Executive Vice Chairperson and Minister of Ecology and Environment,
Mr. Xie Zhenhua, CCICED Chinese Executive Chairperson and former Special Envoy on Climate Change,
Mr. Steven Guilbeault, International Executive Vice Chairperson of CCICED and Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture,
Mr. Achim Steiner, International Executive Vice Chairperson of CCICED,
Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific,
Ms. Guo Fang, Vice Minister and Secretary-General of CCICED
Fellow Vice Chairpersons,
Excellencies, colleagues and friends.
It is a pleasure to be in beautiful Beijing for the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED). And it is indeed an honour to serve as a Vice Chairperson for this important body.
The CCICED is preparing to providing policy recommendations to the 15th Five Year Plan of China (2026-2030). Recommendations that, given Chinas prominent role in the global economy, can have a global impact.
This impact is needed more than ever as we continue to navigate an intensification of the triple planetary crisis the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste.
We know addressing these interlinked challenges offers significant benefits improved health, stronger economies, poverty reduction, and enhanced energy security. Recommendations that come from this meeting are key to realizing these outcomes: from achieving carbon neutrality to protecting nature and scaling circular solutions.
On climate, China continues to lead the renewable race. China recognized early on what is at stake: cleaner air, energy security, jobs, and economic resilience. A commitment that means in 2024, renewable sources comprised 56per cent of Chinas total installed power capacity. This helped renewables surpass coal in global electricity generation for the first time.
Backed by strong policies, China is now projected to peak emissions very soon well ahead of the 2030 commitment that China set.
Strong leadership creates strong expectations. And therefore, I encourage China to explore setting targets on coal flatlining and overall fossil fuel phasedown targets. There is opportunity here to take bold action and reshape the global energy narrative even further.
Chinas latest NDC, especially in todays complex geopolitical climate, signals continued climate leadership. It is a direction we at the UN strongly welcome.
As President Xi said at the UN Secretary-Generals Climate Summit last month: China is striving to do better. That effort is visible. Current policies already put China on the trajectory of cutting emissions 710% below peak by 2035. Enhanced ambition now could drive faster progress later. Cutting fossil fuel subsidies. Setting energy efficiency standards. After leading the way in the renewable revolution, these could be powerful signals where you can also lead.
I am also pleased to see that China is tackling its non-CO2 gas emissions. As such, we at UNEP would welcome broader membership of Chinese companies in the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, led by UNEPs International Methane Emissions Observatory, as well as welcome greater engagement with the Methane Alert and Response System MARS which issues alerts on large methane emissions.
There is opportunity here to take even greater action and reshape the global energy narrative even further. As a past runner, I know that the front runner sets the pace. China is a leader and is indeed setting the pace. And when China leads, the world will follow.
On nature, biodiversity, land degradation and desertification, Chinese leadership continues.
I welcome CCICEDs call for the next step: a major national science initiative for biodiversity conservation, stronger government incentives, and policies to attract private sector investment in Nature-based Solutions.
This builds on Chinas National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and existing ecological redlining, which already protects one-third of Chinas land. Strengthening enforcement, legal clarity, and resisting boundary rollbacks will be key to safeguarding long-term ecological goals and short-term development pressures.
Joining the Convention on Migratory Species a treaty that protects migratory species that move across boundaries, by land, by sea and by air would also mark a strong step forward in protecting Chinas migratory species.
On pollution and waste, China is a key player in the Global Framework on Chemicals, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution, and negotiations on an instrument to end plastic pollution. CCICEDs recommendations on sector-specific roadmaps, zero-waste cities and consumer incentives for circular products are hugely welcome.
While negotiations on the plastic pollution instrument continue, I look forward to the ongoing Chinese commitment to a treaty that tackles the impacts of plastic pollution and the full life cycle. CCICED research in this area will be key.
Friends,
The next five years will be pivotal. China has a unique opportunity to lead by example. By reducing emissions, strengthening the foundation for ecological civilization, and advancing a circular economy.
I thank China and the CCICED for the ambitious leadership they have shown. And now humbly ask for that leadership to continue. UNEP stands ready to support through our continued collaboration.
