China and Europe have long been committed to actively cooperating in climate change and sustainable development, aiming to jointly address the global challenges of climate change and promote sustainable development and green growth.
During a panel discussion held by China Global Television Network (CGTN), experts explored the necessity and urgency of strengthening and improving global environmental governance through international cooperation.
They also highlighted the achievements of China and European countries in environmental protection and low-carbon efforts, explored international solutions to global environmental issues, and looked ahead to the future and prospects of low-carbon cooperation between China and Europe.
Patrick Nijs, former Belgian ambassador to China, said comprehensive cooperation is needed to avoid "hitting the wall."
"There is a kind of dialogue between the European Union and China going on about climate change. There are also discussions going on about the circular economy. And there are two major players in this game - Europe and China. And if there was not a kind of qualitative leap happening like this, we will hit the wall and we will go [down]. So we will be smart enough to anticipate the time we will hit that wall painfully by starting to develop a kind of much more comprehensive cooperation where both [sides] would actually bring what they they do from both sides together in order to have a significant impact, in order to mitigate our extinction. Or, we will just have to wait when we will hit the wall and I think it will be too late at that time," said Nijs.
Alvarez Pereira Carlos, secretary general of Club of Rome, pointed out that countries have to build relationships, and stressed that no one can handle these challenges alone.
"I think we need a shift in mindsets when you ask about the cooperation between Europe and China on climate change, but also in many other challenges that you were mentioning. Let's say there is one traditional framework for that, which is the framework of international relations as they are usually conceived. In my view, we are entering into a new era of human history, which has to be the era of planetary reconciliation, Carlos said.
"Overcoming this idea that we humans compete with each other and that we can destroy nature. So, we have to make peace with nature. Secretary General Antonio Guterres of the United Nations said that very strongly. But also we have to build relationships, for instance, between China and Europe, based on the very simple idea that no one can handle these challenges alone. Not China, not Europe, not the U.S., no one. It's a common challenge and the health of the planet is obviously a common good that we have to take care of, all together," he added.
Zhou Jinfeng, secretary general of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation, said there are many opportunities for China and Europe to work together.
"In the past few months, we have visited Paris to attend the Paris Peace Forum to talk about climate biodiversity. And this month we also joined Europe on the Global Green Coalition platform. And we are quite eager and often to visit Europe to participate, to learn, to share, and to cooperate. We think China has a big opportunity and potential to work with the EU to tackle the major climate challenges. That means we are on the same boat, a small boat, and we have to work together," said Zhou.
"China and Europe are a very good fit. We have a big population, and Europe has many related technologies and know-how policy, and experience-we can work in this area. If we do not work together, nobody can win the battle, nobody can [secure a] sustainable living on the planet, [so] we have to work together, that we believe. And there are many, many synergies and opportunities where we can work together," he continued.
Climate change cooperation, which enjoys bright prospects, has emerged as a focal point in the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Europe.
In April, a delegation of climate envoys from the EU and member states including France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark visited China and had productive discussions with their Chinese counterparts. Both sides were committed to intensifying climate dialogue and cooperation to bolster global climate governance.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz toured a China-Germany hydrogen technology cooperation project in Chongqing, southwest China, during his official visit to China in April. This underscores the extensive partnership between China and Germany in green energy, offering a glimpse into their broad collaboration.
China-Europe synergy crucial for tackling climate issues: experts
