Beijing, 1 December 2014 - In the context of the Annual General Meeting of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), attended by UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, reiterated China's commitment to achieving Eco-civilization through the transition towards a low carbon, green economy.
The core aim of eco-civilization is to balance the relationship between humanity and nature, which includes economic development, population, resources and the environment.
The Vice Premier also reaffirmed China's commitment to pursue energy efficiency, improve economic regulations and encourage market interventions in support of a green transition.
This comes in the heels of China's landmark decision last month to peak emissions by 2030. Prior to that, Mr. Zhang told the Secretary General's Climate Summit in September that by 2020 China would aim to reduce its emissions of carbon per unit of GDP by 45 per cent, compared with levels in 2005.
Mr. Steiner, who is Vice-Chair of the Council, welcomed China's adoption of visionary environmental policies, adding that 2015 will mark the implementation phase for some of the most far reaching and comprehensive green policies ever seen, including on air pollution, as well as the ushering in of the 13th Five Year Plan.
The three-day high-level CCICED meeting is held under the theme "Management and Institutional Innovation in Green Development". Two open fora will discuss 'Institutional Innovation for Ecological Civilization' and 'Green Transformation and Outlook for China.'
The CCICED was established in 1992 as a high-level international advisory body composed of Chinese and International figures experts in the field of environment and development. It aims to provide forward-looking, strategic and early warning policy recommendations to China's leadership as well as decision makers at all levels. The Council also facilitates the implementation of sustainable development strategies and the development of resource-efficient and environment-friendly policies.
