The United Arab Emirates is set to host the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, marking a significant milestone as it will be the first-ever global stock take since the Paris Agreement came into effect.
During a regular press conference on November 28, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced that President Xi Jinping’s Special Representative, Ding Xuexiang, will attend the World Climate Action Summit in the UAE. China commends the UAE for its leadership in hosting COP28 and advancing green and low-carbon development, aiming to mobilize a global joint response to climate change.
China is committed to collaborating with all parties to support the UAE’s presidency and seize the global stock take as an opportunity to accelerate implementation, enhance support measures, and jointly construct a fair, reasonable, and mutually beneficial global climate governance system.
The concept of “ecological civilization” may seem novel, but its origins date back to 1984 when it was first introduced in the “Scientific Communism, Moscow, vol. 2” journal. Professor Qianji Ye, a prominent Chinese agricultural economist, further popularized this concept in 1987, grounding it in ecological sciences and environmental philosophy. China has since made significant strides in embracing ecological civilization, enshrining it in the Communist Party of China’s Constitution and the country’s five-year plan in 2012.
With a deep-rooted belief in seeking harmony with nature, China has consistently prioritized ecological progress, incorporating it into every facet of its economic and social development. The theme of “Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth” outlines a framework for averting further environmental degradation by enhancing biosecurity.
The white paper recommends measures such as expanding protected areas, national parks, and wildlife habitats, collecting and preserving rare biological germplasm resources, establishing off-site protection systems, and initiating ecological protection and restoration projects. While these actions align with global environmental consciousness, they provide a strategic vision and global roadmap for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, calling for collective action given the interconnectedness of nations and regions.
Recent studies warn that the world’s ecological footprint, representing the environmental resources needed to support human activities, could reach its limit within the next generation if immediate action is not taken to mitigate environmental damage. Overexploitation of global resources mirrors a scorched earth policy left for future generations.
China’s President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of ecological civilization during the UN’s virtual summit on biodiversity in April 2020, held as part of the UN’s 75th-anniversary celebrations. President Xi highlighted the significance of biodiversity to human well-being, urging respect for nature, adherence to its laws, and collaborative efforts to strike a balance between economic development and ecological protection.
Ecological civilization also underscores the importance of upholding multilateralism and fostering global environmental governance synergy. Existing international instruments such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement serve as the legal framework for environmental governance.
The rapid loss of biodiversity and ecosystem degradation since the industrial age poses a severe risk to human survival and development, a reality reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis underscores the interconnectedness between humanity and nature, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to create a thriving, clean, and beautiful world that welcomes all forms of life, regardless of their nature, size, or perceived value.
China’s commitment to ecological civilization and its support for initiatives like COP28 reflect a dedicated effort to address global environmental challenges and promote sustainable development on a worldwide scale.
