China Prepares for UN Climate Action Summit
China plans to bring its proposal for “nature-based solutions” to the UN Climate Action Summit. (Wikimedia Commons)
China has recently stated in a paper that it will try to convince other countries to support “nature-based solutions” to climate change, according to Reuters. This comes ahead of the UN Climate Action Summit, which is scheduled to start on September 23.
China is the world’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. The country has previously focused on reducing heavy industrial sector emissions, which has been increasingly unsuccessful. Moreover, with America moving toward less stringent environmental regulations, China is becoming a greater representative of international efforts to curb climate change. Many have heavily commended Chinese President Xi Jinping for staying committed to the emission goals of the UN’s 2015 Paris Climate Accords.
China’s new plan is to promote climate change solutions that are nature-based, according to Reuters. Nature-based solutions would include reforestation and the expansion of wetlands. China also said that it aims to expand carbon sinks, cap fertilizer use, and encourage the usage of biomass energy. Furthermore, according to the Economist, China is working on a five-year economic plan that could potentially indicate how it plans to integrate its environmental policy with its economic policy.
A huge motivation for China to seek a greener approach to their policies is its infamous smog issues. Resolving smog issues would help to reduce serious health problems for Chinese citizens, as well as negative global publicity. Another incentive is the desire to reduce the economy's dependence on labor-intensive manufacturing, according to the Economist.
Yet, despite the Chinese government’s public stance on limiting the negative effects of climate change, the country does not support local debate regarding the issue, often increasing controls on non-government organizations (NGOs). This is often because NGOs and the public generally criticize the Chinese government for not doing enough to combat climate change. For example, the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, a Chinese think-tank, supports a greater commitment to limiting fossil-fuel emissions, according to the Economist. Along these lines, many young Chinese citizens are working to fight apathy about climate change and convince the government to pursue a more aggressive policy. According to the Guardian, Howey Ou, a local student who has publicly protested for greater change, said, “People in China don’t know the situation and think the Chinese government is doing a lot and is great.”
Some analysts are doubtful that China is ready to pursue tougher emission targets due to a slowing economy. In August, a senior Chinese climate official stated that the trade conflict with the United States was making it less likely for the country to reduce emissions swiftly, according to the Economist.
Yet, regardless of the exact policy China wishes to enact, it is clear that the country wishes to continue to be a global leader on the issue. The southwestern Chinese city of Kunming is scheduled to host a UN meeting in 2020 with the purpose of creating a global agreement to protect biodiversity. Nature-based solutions will continue to be a part of China’s proposed solution at the meeting.