UNEP-China Partnership

UNEP, the international organization driving policy in environment and climate change, science and technology, provides technical assistance with mainstreaming environmental issues into national strategies by establishing strong strategic partnership with national, central, and local governments. In China their link is with the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP). On the country level, it is implemented through MDG mechanisms and the UN Development Assistant Framework (UNDAF). Other strategic partners include UN-system agencies, bilateral agencies, international NGOs, as well as the business and private sector, think tanks, academia, media, and national NGOs. The UNEP leverages the comparative strength of all the partners to increase public interest and direct a country towards sustainable development.

China's goal of becoming a conservationist and environment-friendly society is in line with UNEP's priorities to support country level implementation. UNEP has supported environmental assessments and initiatives relevant to the nations and regions, such as the Global Environment Outlook (GEO), Green Economy Initiative (GEI), and environmental emergency response and disaster management. UNEP could provide a platform for multi-bilateral and trans-boundary programs.

UNEP launched the Green Economy Imitative (GEI) in 2008 with the aim of assisting governments and other stakeholders to reshape and refocus policies, investments, and public awareness campaigns. This is done by migrating traditional sectors towards low-carbon and encouraging the development of environmental-friendly sectors such as clean technologies, renewable energies, and approaches that will sustain and preserve natural assets. These methods go hand-in-hand with sustaining economic development and generating more jobs. UNEP-led Green Economy has been well received by China's Government, Low-Carbon and Green Economy means and ends are integrated with the national strategy, and pilot sites and sectors are being thoroughly studied.

In the aftermath of Copenhagen, more countries are adapting green growth strategies, but it has become apparent that no country can achieve it alone. A global endeavor realized through strong partnerships will increase investment in green technologies. Governments, including China's, can take the initiative in R&D, and team up with the private sectors that help "make it so".

As carbon emission from construction amounts to about one third of total carbon emission, UNEP established the Sustainable Building and Climate Initiative (SBCI) to improve energy efficiency, incorporating different stakeholders within the sector, including those responsible for building policies and codes. Two enterprises from China are SBCI members, and it is demonstrably ground where considerable global gains can be made, as China's volume of construction leads the world.

In 2008, the UN launched UN-China Climate Change Partnership Framework (CCPF). Funded out of UN MDG coffers, its building projects are based on climate change policy, mitigation, and adaptation. UNEP collaborates with its national partner, the National Development and Reform Commission of China to research the impact of, and adaptation strategies for, glacier melt in the Himalaya region in Northwest and rising sea levels off coastal China. Climate change science and recommended adaptations will be integrated into national and provincial planning. It should be understood that the adaptations will provide benefits immediately and well into the future, whether or not projected climate changes become reality. This is called the ‘No Regret' principle.

The value of natural systems in combating climate change through their role in mitigation and adaptation is extremely promising, UNEP determined, and implemented Global Environmental Fund programs in China that range across protected area management, dry land management, river basin management, energy conservation and efficiency, and renewable energy.