On 24 and 25 September, 2020, the Delegation of the European Union to China (EUD) and the Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASISD) co-hosted an EU-China Seminar on Green Recovery and Green Stimulus in Beijing.

In April 2020, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on countries to prepare for a green economic recovery after the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. In July 2020, EU Leaders approved a major recovery plan to ensure a sustainable, inclusive and fair recovery.

On 22 September 2020, President Xi Jinping called for a green recovery of the world economy in the post-COVID era, and pledged that China’s CO2 emissions will reach their peak before 2030, with carbon neutrality before 2060. On the EU side, the European Commission has presented a plan to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, with the aim of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

In this context, the event addressed latest policy developments and existing best practices, in order to accelerate green development in the EU and in China. The event was opened by Mr. XIE Zhenhua, Special Advisor on Climate Change Affairs, H.E. Nicolas CHAPUIS, Ambassador of the European Union to China, Ms Svenja SCHULZE, German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) (via video message) and Mr. PAN Jiaofeng, President of the Institutes of Science and Development of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Speakers from the European Commission explained EU plans to expand green development policies in Europe in the framework of the Green Deal and EU Recovery Plan. EU Member State representatives described their successful experience of green transition in several sectors. Chinese speakers shared their views and experiences on the same topics, reflecting the latest trends in China.

Leading academics from both sides presented the results of their research on the challenges and benefits of green recovery plans. They also produced a background paper, setting out the state of play and recommendations on EU and Chinese recovery plans. This paper will be finalized and uploaded on this page in October to include the key messages of the event.

(European Union)