China and the European Union have agreed to enhance their cooperation on addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and plastic pollution. This commitment was reaffirmed by China’s Minister of Ecology and Environment, Huang Runqiu, in a meeting with Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, during the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia.
The discussions between Huang and Ribera focused on the China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue. They explored global biodiversity protection, ongoing negotiations for an international agreement on plastic pollution, and preparations for the upcoming 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31). Huang emphasized the longstanding constructive cooperation between China and the EU in environmental protection and climate action, highlighting the need for strengthened communication and implementation of existing agreements to advance shared priorities through international cooperation.
Both parties discussed the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aiming to protect nature with specific targets set for 2030. A notable objective of this framework is to restore at least 30 percent of degraded terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal ecosystems by the end of the decade.
Huang expressed optimism about China and the EU working together to achieve positive outcomes at COP17 and COP31, contributing to improved global environmental governance. Ribera welcomed China’s efforts in environmental protection and climate negotiations, advocating for continued dialogue and closer cooperation in tackling climate change, conserving biodiversity, and reducing plastic pollution.
This renewed commitment underscores the significance of China-EU collaboration in advancing international environmental agreements and promoting sustainable development on a global scale.