China and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to tackle major global environmental challenges by pledging stronger cooperation on climate change, biodiversity conservation, and plastic pollution control. This commitment was highlighted 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 between Huang and Ribera centered on the China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue, efforts to protect global biodiversity, and the ongoing negotiations for an international agreement on plastic pollution. They also addressed preparations for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).
Huang underscored the constructive cooperation that has existed between China and the EU in environmental protection and climate action over the years. He emphasized the necessity of enhancing communication, implementing existing agreements, and pushing forward shared priorities through international collaboration. Both parties expressed a shared interest in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which sets long-term goals for nature protection, including the restoration of at least 30 percent of degraded terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal ecosystems by 2030.
Huang expressed optimism that China and the EU could work together to achieve positive outcomes at COP17 and COP31, contributing to improved global environmental governance. Ribera praised China’s contributions to environmental protection and climate negotiations, advocating for ongoing dialogue and closer cooperation on climate action, biodiversity conservation, and reducing plastic pollution.
This renewed commitment between China and the EU underscores the significance of their collaboration in advancing international environmental agreements, aiming to promote a more sustainable future on a global scale.