CHINA has emerged as one of the major powers on the world stage. Its economy is the second largest and its technological achievements have placed it in a leading position globally. Yet, Beijing has projected itself as an important partner within South-South cooperation, as reflected in its multi-pronged development strategies. Given the existential climate change challenges the world is facing, China has focused on playing its part in mitigating climate and environmental risks. One such area is arresting and reversing the erosion of biodiversity. It is important to realize fully that the earth’s resources are not unlimited. Therefore, conservation has to be an important tool for creating harmony between human beings and nature. Building an ecological civilization, with its emphasis on a shared future for all and sustainability, is an important pillar for promoting balanced coexistence between nature and mankind.
Excessive exploitation of nature has posed serious vulnerabilities, especially for those who have little or no resources for meeting the challenges of mitigation, adaptation and transition. From the climate and environment perspective, the entire world lives in a circular pattern. Hence, serious disruptions in one part of the world have effects in different regions of the world. Climate change and environmental hazards must be treated as pivotal earth commons, demanding collaborative actions and cooperation. Biodiversity challenges range from impacts on agriculture and food security, to health issues due to poor soil quality from the use of pesticides and fertilizers, to fisheries and other essential aspects. The link between climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and sustainable development cannot be overlooked.
Biodiversity has a critical role in promoting sustainable development. Seen through the prism of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), biodiversity is an important component in the process of achieving sustainable development. These goals are significant because they are universal and indivisible. Biodiversity and ecosystems are prominently highlighted as areas essential for contributing to human well-being and development. SDG-15 includes efforts to “protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt land degradation and biodiversity loss.” This goal was built on the Rio+20 Conference document “The Future We Want,” held in 2012, which reemphasized the “intrinsic value of biological diversity as well as ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values of biological diversity and its critical role in maintaining ecosystems.”
China has played a leading role in the process leading to the conclusion of the Biodiversity Convention. It holds the presidency of Conference of Parties 15 (COP 15) and, together with Canada, led the way towards the finalization of The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first phase of COP 15 was held in Kunming, China, through video link. Because of the continued COVID restrictions, at China’s request, Canada hosted the second phase in December 2022, which led to the conclusion of the Biodiversity Convention and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the leaders’ summit of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15), which is published in his book titled “The Governance of China IV” in a chapter titled “Protect the Earth for Sustainable Development.” In his COP 15 statements, he put forward China’s proposal to strengthen global biodiversity conservation and announced the establishment of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (also contained in the Kunming Declaration of 2021).
At the second phase of COP 15, important goals and targets were adopted. The four goals set forth are: Maintaining connectivity and resilience of all ecosystems, halting human-induced extinction of known threatened species by 2050, and preserving genetic diversity of species. Ensuring the sustainable use of biodiversity, and the restoration of ecosystems and affiliated aspects by 2050. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources and associated aspects. Provision of adequate means of implementation: financial, capacity building, technical know-how, and other means. Among the 23 targets, the most prominent is Target 2, which requires that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of degraded areas are restored.
Labelled as 30 by 30, the expectations are high, and China’s commitment as co-host of COP 15 is firm. China has demonstrated its commitment to combating climate change, especially biodiversity vulnerabilities, through several strategic interventions and policy guidelines. The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) is dedicated to National Economic and Social Development and includes long-term objectives focused on slashing carbon intensity. The tone was set by President Xi, who stated in 2020 that China would “aim for its emissions to reach their highest peak by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.” Taken internationally as China’s national position, this has been welcomed as a significant policy pronouncement in terms of its impact on global emissions. China cannot overlook the needs of its 1.4 billion population and regional unbalanced development. The energy needs, which are dependent on the use of coal and the gradual transition to solar, nuclear, and other renewable resources for energy and industrial growth, require time. It is expected that by 2050, 90 percent of power will be nuclear-based, with the propagation of green technologies and more.
The world is looking with favourable expectations at China’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a green economy, which will have a salutary impact on biodiversity commitments. China needs a domestic environment where climate-induced risks are minimized, and its development trajectory builds a sustainable environment for its people. Moreover, China’s image as a proponent of South-South cooperation for development will receive a boost if green methods, models, and technologies are shared with the developing world. Transitioning to green technologies is an important link in the cycle of mitigation and adaptation. The devastating impact of climate-induced disasters, such as the 2022 floods in Pakistan, has grave consequences for biodiversity, including the erosion of soil, agriculture, forests, and other natural resources. Therefore, it is imperative for the countries of the South, led by China, to promote regional outlooks, approaches, and ways to halt, restore, and improve biodiversity. Equally important is to emphasize a triangular cooperation framework that includes the North. At the next COP 16 in Colombia, this idea could be further explored.
—The writer is currently serving as Head of the Centre for BRI and China Studies at the Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development, a public policy think tank in Islamabad.
