Advancing sustainability among Chinese enterprises ahead of Stockholm+50 International Meeting

The United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme jointly kicked off a three-day Stockholm+50 Stakeholder Consultation with a Business Roundtable and Youth Consultation Workshop in Beijing on April 27, 2022.

The Business Roundtable, held in partnership with China Chamber of International Commerce and with support from the Swedish embassy, Business Sweden and PwC, exchanged insights on how China's business sector can adopt sustainable business practices, leverage green finance opportunities and lower carbon emissions.

This is part of a series of regional consultations taking place globally ahead of June's Stockholm+50 international meeting in Stockholm. The meeting will commemorate the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment – the first time in history the environment, poverty and sustainable development were recognized as interconnected.

Improving sustainability among the business sector is essential for achieving net-zero carbon emissions and building a greener future for all. The roundtable therefore convened business leaders in various sectors, policymakers and academics to share their experiences, and discuss the opportunities and challenges to ensure a low carbon and just transition.

Beate Trankmann, representative of the United Nations Development Programme in China, emphasized that business-as-usual cannot continue to keep the 1.5 degrees Paris target for global temperature rises alive – widely seen as the only safe limit – we must urgently decarbonize our economies, transform our societies and fundamentally reshape our relationship with nature.

As one of the world's largest economies, businesses in China adopting greener practices would have a significant impact on achieving global climate agendas. The roundtable therefore served as an important opportunity for businesses to further understand sustainable best practices, composing effective net-zero strategies and ensuring they take the right steps to meet both national and international goals.

Sun Xiao, secretary-general of the China Chamber of International Commerce, stressed that achieving the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals is a tough battle that needs to be addressed by all stakeholders. First, the world should adhere to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and practice true multilateralism. Second, the world should strengthen research in and promote carbon-neutral technology innovation. Third, the world should strengthen multi-party cooperation and the decarbonization of industrial supply chains.

Joakim Abeleen, trade and invest commissioner and market area director for Greater China at Business Sweden, remarked that many Swedish companies have global carbon-neutrality goals, many of which are ahead of the national 2045 target. In China, Team Sweden has launched the "pioneer the possible" platform, which focuses on supporting Swedish enterprises in China to become role models of sustainable development.

The third annual report on the Sustainable Development Goals practices of enterprises in China was also announced and businesses were invited to participate in this year's study. The report, produced by the UNDP in collaboration with PwC and CCOIC, seeks to help the corporate world better understand and integrate the SDGs into business plans and activities. This year's report is set to be released toward the end of 2022.

Finally, during the Youth Consultation Workshop, 30 selected young climate activists from the government, research institutions, private sectors and NGOs shared their opinions and recommendations for combating climate change and protecting the planet. The consultation provided a platform for youth engagement and civic participation in climate issues, amplifying their voices for more inclusive decision making.