A United Nations event in Beijing on Tuesday highlighted China’s climate action efforts and its push to mobilize public participation ahead of World Environment Day. The United Nations Environment Programme’s China office hosted the gathering at the UN compound, drawing representatives from government agencies, foundations, businesses, and youth groups. In his video message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the past 11 years have been the hottest on record. He stressed that climate damage now extends far beyond rising temperatures. Air pollution, land degradation, ecosystem collapse, and biodiversity loss all threaten human well-being. Homes face destruction and hunger is worsening across vulnerable regions. “Every fraction of a degree of warming matters,” Guterres declared. He then urged nations to make deep and rapid cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, the event focused squarely on concrete climate action.
In her remarks, Wang Qian, head of the UNEP China office, addressed the audience directly. She noted that while climate impacts are intensifying, solutions are also expanding quickly. Immediate climate action can help build safer, healthier, and more prosperous societies. In particular, Wang highlighted several public awareness campaigns UNEP has launched. For instance, it partnered with Beijing Capital International Airport and the subway system for offline outreach. Furthermore, UNEP teamed up with Sina Weibo and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s communication center. Together they started a Global Climate Dance Challenge to promote climate action online.
Later in the event, Pan Xiao, a senior specialist with the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, presented key data. Green industries now contribute roughly 24 percent of China’s nominal economic growth, he said. That accounts for at least one percentage point of the country’s 5 percent GDP expansion last year. Moreover, Pan stressed that China’s green transition has entered a deeper stage. The country will not return to the old energy-intensive development path. His council will continue sharing China’s experience to strengthen global confidence in green development.
Additionally, Yan Shidong, director general of the environmental education center, spoke at the event. His center has long co-organized China Pavilion side events at UN climate conferences. These efforts aim to give the international community a full picture of China’s climate action and public engagement practices. As World Environment Day nears, Chinese cities are hosting many activities. In Guangzhou, for example, primary school students joined eco-art projects and learned about recycling. The hands-on lessons extended environmental education well beyond the classroom.
