UN Environment at Green Week Partner Green Session Workshop on ‘EU-China Cooperation on Climate Actions & Green-Circular Economy’ 

UN Environment at EU Green Week 2017 Partner event: ‘closer cooperation between the EU and China can create a win-win-win situation - for the EU, for China and the Planet’

As part of the annu

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al EU Green Week activities across Europe, UN Environment participated in a Green Week Partner Green Session Workshop on ‘EU-China Cooperation on Climate Actions & Green-Circular Economy’  on 31 May 2017 in Brussels.

This event attended by about 20 experts on EU – China relations from universities, think tanks, EU and international instutions, was organised by NatureHerit.

Held on the eve of the EU-China Summit in Brussels (1-2 June), the focus of this event was to identify how to move discussion in the context of EU-China cooperation on climate change and green economy  to implementation and practice.

Ulf Björnholm, Head of the UN Environment Brussels Office, gave an introductory speech in which he provided views on this relationship in the global context.

"From a global perspective, humanity has never been richer, healthier and safer than today. Since 2005, over half a billion people have escaped from extreme poverty and hunger; many of them in China. But much more needs to be done to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals “ said Mr Björnholm.

An inclusive green economy is an effective approach to meeting many of the targets he indicated : “Actions towards a green economy include for instance the development of a green national budget; you can reform governmental economic incentives for energy, water, land use, discouraging over-use. You can provide economic values to free public goods, such as nature, biodiversity, clean air or water.”

Mr Björnholm observed that EU-China cooperation on green and circular economy “ is already relatively well advanced – but the opportunity to do more is significant, as showcased by flagship initiatives such as ‘PAGE – the Partnership on Action for Green Economy’. “

“Given the many global challenges, arguments for a closer cooperation between the EU and China are compelling, with significant opportunities,” Mr Bjornholm noted. “This will not only be a bonus but a necessity, and it will create a win-win-win situation - for the EU, for China and the Planet. “

“There are many avenues to make this happen, including through the EU-China climate partnership and the EU-China Summit, as well as potentially through the Belt and Road initiative - provided that the right environmental and social safeguards are put in place. This will require hard work both sides, clear strategic thinking, leadership and a spirit of compromise.”

“UN Environment and other UN organizations can assist, through providing convening power, know-how and best practices ” he concluded.

For more information: 

• Read the Green Session Report / Summary -- ISSUU Document Sharing here.
• Watch the recording of the event here. (Green Session You Tube channel)
• Find out more about the event here.
• Follow Green Session on Twitter @Green_Sess

EU Green Week 2017 organised by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Environment, took place from 29 May to 2 June under the theme of 'Green jobs for a greener future'. It focused on how EU environmental policies are creating green jobs and contributing to economic, sustainable and socially responsible growth in the EU. It also highlighted the demand for new types of green skills in many professional sectors. The Green Session was an official Green Week partner event.