Adhere to green development and build a community of human and natural life

Source: People's Daily - People's Daily

On 11 October, the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity will be held in Kunming, Yunnan. With the theme of "Ecological Civilization: Building a Community of Life on Earth", this is the first time that the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Environment Convention has taken "Ecological Civilization" as the theme of the conference, which highlights the distinct world significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and reflects the confidence and determination of China and the international community to work together with the international community to jointly build a global ecological civilization and promote the harmonious coexistence of man and nature.

Ecological prosperity leads to civilization prosperity, which is an important experience derived from the history of the development of human civilization. Standing at the height of responsibility for human civilization, China advocates respecting nature, conforming to nature, protecting nature, and exploring the road of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. China adheres to the concept of ecological civilization to guide development, puts the construction of ecological civilization in a prominent position, integrates into all aspects and the whole process of China's economic and social development, and strives to build a modernization in which man and nature coexist in harmony. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) adopted the draft decision on promoting China's concept of ecological civilization, released the report "Green Water and Green Mountains are Golden Mountains and Silver Mountains: Strategies and Actions for China's Ecological Civilization", and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Laos took "Green Water and Green Mountains Are Golden Mountains and Silver Mountains" as its motto, reflecting that China's concept of ecological civilization is increasingly valued by the world. Nigel Toppin, high-level advocate for climate action at the 26th Meeting of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said the concept of "ecological civilization" is a beautiful and unique gift from China.

China is an important contributor to the construction of an ecological civilization. From incorporating the construction of ecological civilization into the overall layout of the "five-in-one" to writing the construction of ecological civilization into the Constitution, in recent years, China has promoted the construction of ecological civilization with unprecedented determination and strength, and the ecological environmental protection has undergone historical, turning and overall changes. In the past 10 years, China's forest resources have grown by more than 70 million hectares, ranking first in the world; long-term and large-scale control of desertification and desertification have achieved from "sand into people" to "green into sand"; 90% of terrestrial ecosystem types and 85% of key wildlife populations have been effectively protected... A long list of "report cards" of green development has witnessed China's pace of progress on the road of ecological civilization construction. John Cobb Jr., an academician of the National Academy of Humanities, pointed out that China's ecological civilization construction means that China cares not only about the well-being of the entire Chinese people, but also the sustainable development of the entire human race.

In building an ecological civilization, China is a resolute activist. "China will strive to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, which will require hard work, but we will do our best." In his important speech at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Xi Jinping reiterated the "double carbon" goal proposed a year ago, demonstrating China's unwavering determination to adhere to ecological priorities and adhere to green development. Emphasize the inclusion of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality into the overall layout of ecological civilization construction, strictly control the growth of coal consumption during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period; formally accept the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, strengthen the control of non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases; and start online trading in the national carbon market... Since the beginning of this year, from the top-level design to specific measures, China has implemented its commitment to green development with concrete actions, giving the world important incentives and inspirations. Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said China's experience in coordinating rapid economic development and environmental protection is very important.

In building an ecological civilization, China is a firm leader. By the end of 2020, China has carried out international cooperation and exchanges on the ecological environment with more than 100 countries, and signed about 150 ecological and environmental protection cooperation documents with more than 60 countries, international and regional organizations. From the establishment of the South-South Cooperation Fund on Climate Change, to the launch of the China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center, to the emphasis on cooperation in the field of ecological civilization as a key part of the Belt and Road Initiative, China's actions have been widely praised by the international community. Un Environment Programme Executive Director Yinge Annocyan believes that a strong multilateral system in which China is deeply involved is the key to reversing the global biodiversity conservation landscape. Not long ago, China announced that it will vigorously support the green and low-carbon development of energy in developing countries and will not build new overseas coal power projects. The international community generally believes that China's decision "opens the door to achieving more ambitious climate goals", reflects China's leadership in addressing climate change, and demonstrates the pattern and responsibility of China as a responsible major country.

The construction of ecological civilization is related to the future of mankind, and building a green home is the common dream of mankind. China will continue to work with other countries to build the foundation of ecological civilization, take the road of green development together, and continue to gather powerful forces for building a community of human and natural life.

People's Daily (03/11/2021)