Doubling down

French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to China from Dec 3 to 5 emphasized the urgent need for ongoing dialogue to address pressing climate issues. The two nations signed a joint statement on cooperation to address global climate and environmental challenges, marking a pivotal moment in the global fight against the ecological crises.

This partnership recognizes the interconnected nature of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and resource scarcity. By pledging accelerated renewable energy deployment, transitioning from fossil fuels and supporting developing nations with financing, they reinforce commitments to vital agreements for a sustainable future.

Both nations emphasized the urgent need to implement existing pledges, particularly concerning greenhouse gas mitigation and adaptation strategies.

They also reaffirmed their dedication to the 2025 joint statement on climate change, a significant document marking the 10th anniversary of the landmark Paris Agreement. The two countries also reaffirmed their dedication to collectively tackling global challenges. They specifically highlighted their commitment to upholding the three Rio Conventions adopted at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro — the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification — the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, alongside the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These agreements form the essential legal and conceptual cornerstones for international collaboration to address climate and environmental issues worldwide.

China and France are doubling down on their commitment to combat climate change, reaffirming the critical role of science, and urging global unity on environmental action. The two nations have explicitly backed key scientific bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, alongside the emerging Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution.

The two sides also pledged to foster a supportive and open international economic system, accelerating global renewable energy deployment. This involves continuous contributions to a "just, orderly and equitable" transition away from fossil fuels, actively championing green, low-carbon socioeconomic transformation. Their enhanced collaboration will tackle areas such as carbon pricing, climate investment and financing, methane emissions, carbon footprint methodologies and adaptation. They specifically highlighted the need to control and reduce these emissions through technological and innovative solutions.

Looking ahead, both countries endorsed the global target of tripling nuclear power generation capacity by 2050 and supported the International Maritime Organization's 2023 strategy to achieve net-zero shipping emissions by or around 2050.

China and France are taking a united stance against entangled conservation crises, explicitly acknowledging the critical links between climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, deforestation, land degradation and water scarcity. Both nations aim to collectively halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.

This ambitious goal is paired with a commitment to sustainable development and fostering inclusive rural transformation. The two countries have also vowed active assistance to protect tropical forests. Furthermore, they recognize the imperative of strengthening integrated water resource management across local, regional, and global scales, with a shared vision for the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference in the United Arab Emirates. The conference, cohosted by Senegal and the UAE, aims to accelerate the implementation of SDG 6 on enhanced global water governance, and further elevate water-related issues on the international agenda.

China and France have also highlighted a shared resolve for marine protection. The 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France featured numerous Chinese projects and delegations. Key organizations such as the China Deep Ocean Affairs Administration and the China Oceanic Development Foundation focused on "Blueprints for the Future", addressing marine spatial planning, ocean data-driven decision-making and global cooperation. The China Association for Science and Technology, in collaboration with the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea and other institutions, emphasized global collaborative research on ocean-based carbon dioxide removal and its connection to the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans. Both nations enthusiastically welcome the impending activation of a landmark Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, which aims to conserve and sustainably utilize marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

They are actively urging countries worldwide to sign or ratify this crucial accord without delay, pressing for its rapid and effective implementation. Furthermore, Beijing and Paris have pledged to maintain and advance efforts within the Antarctic Treaty system, encompassing the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. This ongoing collaboration is set to focus on vital issues such as environmental protection, resource conservation and the safeguarding of biodiversity in the polar regions.

Both China and France are throwing their weight behind efforts to forge a new international, legally binding instrument aimed at eradicating plastic pollution, directly aligning with the UN Environment Assembly Resolution 5/14 that calls for a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. The two nations are also committed to fostering research and innovation, seeking out sustainable and competitive alternatives to plastic.

In a significant move to support global environmental efforts, China and France intend to collaborate on boosting developing countries' access to crucial financing, thereby accelerating these countries' green transition and supporting sustainable development. Developed nations are anticipated to take the lead in supplying and mobilizing climate and environmental finance for developing countries by 2035.Meanwhile, developing countries are encouraged to make voluntary contributions to this global effort. China has also been giving serious consideration to the Pact for Prosperity, People and the Planet (4P), an inclusive global coalition launched at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris in 2023.

Looking ahead, China and France are keen to actively explore the creation of a dedicated working group focused on tackling climate and environmental issues. They are considering convening a meeting in the first half of 2026 to formalize the establishment of this new collaborative body.

On a final note, the signing of the joint statement on cooperation in addressing global climate and ecological challenges, alongside Macron's state visit, marked a significant and productive milestone. The two countries engaged in a comprehensive dialogue regarding multilateralism and the current international landscape. Building on previous joint declarations issued on March 25, 2019, April 7,2023, and May 7, 2024, they reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing global governance, delivering a strong message about the urgent need for mutual action to secure the future well-being of the planet's biosphere.

The author is the executive vice-president of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.