早上好

我非常荣幸代表UNDP参加今天的北京CBD 论坛 与各位探讨关于全球气候合作及中国绿色发展机遇的议题

(On behalf of UNDP in China, it is a pleasure to be here today at the Beijing Central Business District (CBD) Forum and speak to you about global climate cooperation and green development opportunities in China)

Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a stark reality. Globally, it’s estimated that by 2040, over 130 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty by climate change.

Asia and the Pacific is the most vulnerable region to climate change.[i] 91 percent of all people affected by severe flooding in the past 23 years globally, live in our region, causing economic losses of 452 billion dollars.[ii]

The transition towards a low carbon future has been gaining momentum and China is making important contributions to climate action by leading investments and innovation in green sectors such as renewable energy and e-mobility.

At the same time, coal reliance poses risks to the speed of transformation towards China’s dual carbon goals. Last year, roughly two-thirds of new coal plants coming online globally were established in China[1]. This points to the challenging balancing act between climate commitments, energy security and socio-economic considerations.

In light of the complexity of inclusive, low-carbon development pathways, which require an integrated whole of society transformation, no country or region, however large and capable, will be able to do it alone.

Strengthened global cooperation for more ambitious and accelerated actions is required to meet the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and China’s national development agenda.

Multilateral partnerships are at the heart of the United Nations' efforts to realize the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, as the first binding agreement to combat climate change by all countries, is a powerful example of the international community coming together with a common purpose and a collective vision.

However, achieving this vision and transforming it into reality requires more than just commitments. It requires concrete actions, innovative solutions, and continued efforts from all sectors of society.

To this point, the updated Nationally Determined Contributions to be submitted by all countries by 2025 are a critical tool to raise ambitions backed by actionable plans to keep the Paris 1.5 degree target alive.

At UNDP, we are working to support countries to design the next generation of NDCs. Critical innovations should go beyond merely focusing on climate to incorporating biodiversity considerations with intact nature and ecosystems acting as powerful carbon sinks.

Bringing together climate and nature into inclusive transitions would turn climate actions into powerful systemic solutions – addressing the three dimensions of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental - in a comprehensive approach.

To deliver on this vision, UNDP is working with different stakeholders, like the ones gathered here today, to drive climate action and ensure whole-of- society engagement. Indeed, municipalities and businesses are both drivers of climate change and directly impacted by it. As such, they can be powerful agents of change.