Amid growing global environmental challenges, China and the European Union have reinforced their commitment to enhanced cooperation on climate change, biodiversity conservation, and plastic pollution control. This pledge was made during a meeting between China’s Minister of Ecology and Environment, Huang Runqiu, and Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia.
The discussions highlighted the importance of the China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue and focused on global biodiversity protection, ongoing negotiations for an international agreement to curb plastic pollution, and preparations for the upcoming 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31). Huang emphasized the historical cooperation between China and the EU in environmental protection and climate action, underscoring the need for continued communication and the implementation of existing agreements to achieve shared environmental goals.
A significant part of the dialogue centered on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to place at least 30 percent of degraded terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal ecosystems under effective restoration by 2030. Both parties expressed their intent to work collaboratively towards achieving positive outcomes at COP17 and COP31, thereby contributing to improved global environmental governance.
Ribera commended China’s active role in environmental protection and climate negotiations, expressing support for ongoing dialogue and deeper cooperation in addressing climate change, preserving biodiversity, and reducing plastic waste. The renewed commitment between China and the EU underscores the crucial role of their partnership in advancing international environmental agreements and promoting a sustainable future.