Bilateral initiatives expand climate ties

As key partners on the international stage, China and France have long been engaged in environmental protection cooperation.

In the realm of environmental collaboration, the two countries have established a solid foundation and achieved significant results. As early as 2007, they issued a joint statement on addressing climate change, formally establishing a partnership within their comprehensive strategic partnership framework.

This initiative proposed strengthening policy exchanges and practical cooperation, laying the groundwork for decades of subsequent cooperation in the sector.

In 2015, leaders from China and France issued another joint statement in Beijing, further clarifying the responsibilities and obligations of developed and developing countries in global climate governance.

This played a crucial role in promoting the conclusion and implementation of the Paris Agreement, showcasing the shared responsibilities and firm commitments of both countries to the global environmental agenda.

In the new era, Sino-French environmental cooperation has evolved into a multi-level and high-quality partnership. Last year, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, their environmental cooperation reached a significant milestone.

In 2024, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment and France's Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion adopted an environmental cooperation action plan, focusing on core areas such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, air quality improvement, and plastic pollution control.

The two sides identified priority areas for exchanges and cooperation, elevating their cooperation to new heights via specific measures such as exploring environmental pilot projects and enhancing coordination on multilateral environmental agendas.

Additionally, China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the French Office for Biodiversity signed an agreement on nature conservation cooperation, highlighting the development of a protected area system with national parks, biodiversity conservation and the restoration of important wetlands.

They also aimed to establish a regular exchange mechanism for sharing best practices and experiences in nature conservation management.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of France-based SUEZ's presence in China. As a global environmental company with more than 160 years of expertise in water and waste management, SUEZ has established long-term partnerships with municipal and industrial clients across 30-plus major cities and regions in China.

Notably, the Franco-Chinese Month of the Environment has become a bridge connecting the public of the two countries and deepening environmental consensus since its inception in 2014.

This cross-border environmental event is held annually in many locations across China, focusing on such topics as biodiversity, urban transformations and resource management. It popularizes environmental knowledge and enhances ecological protection awareness through various formats such as exhibitions, lectures, film screenings and art performances.

On Sept 22, the opening ceremony of the 12th Franco-Chinese Month of the Environment was held in Beijing, with a main theme highlighting the interdependence between marine and terrestrial ecosystems and emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions and collective actions in addressing global ecological challenges.

This year's event coincides with the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement and the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference. Against this backdrop, China and France have further pooled scientific research resources, deepened environmental cooperation through various exchange activities and injected new vitality into global environmental governance.

High-level interactions have provided strong political leadership for Sino-French environmental cooperation. In June, Huang Runqiu, China's minister of ecology and environment, met with Agnes Pannier-Runacher, French minister for ecological transition, biodiversity, forest, sea and fishing, in Paris.

The two sides held in-depth consultations on core issues such as biodiversity conservation, climate change and an international instrument on plastic pollution. Huang said that the long-term and close cooperation between China and France in ecological environment has made significant contributions to global sustainable development.

He added that China welcomes France to join the implementation initiative of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and is willing to strengthen communication and pool efforts with France in plastic pollution control and climate governance.

Pannier-Runacher praised China's outstanding achievements and leadership in addressing climate change, and expressed her desire to deepen cooperation in areas such as methane emission control, renewable energy development and the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal framework.