On November 21, 2024, the Beijing side event at the UNFCCC COP29 China Pavilion, themed on “Actions and Progress for Addressing Climate Change in Beijing” was successfully convened in Baku, Azerbaijan, which highlighted Beijing’s commitment to green and low-carbon development. Co-organized by the Beijing Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, and other partners, the event showcased innovative climate actions and fostered international dialogue.

 

Group photo of the side event “Actions and Progress for Addressing Climate Change in Beijing” (Photo: ICLEI East Asia)

 

In her opening remarks, Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI, commended Beijing’s leadership in urban sustainability and its role as a global model for megacities. She emphasized ICLEI’s longstanding partnership with Beijing, which spans over a decade of impactful collaboration. Ms. Brand also recognized the value of such exchanges in fostering global capacity-building and strengthening multilevel climate governance. Additionally, as a global city network, ICLEI also made efforts to enhance international partnership and city-to-city exchanges to this event, including inviting the City of Turku, to share its exemplary climate adaptation practices.

 

Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI, delivered a speech at the Beijing event (Photo: ICLEI East Asia)

 

Ms. Wang Ruixian, Deputy Director General of the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, delivered a keynote speech. She emphasized Beijing’s dual carbon goals and highlighted that carbon emissions per 10,000 yuan of GDP have decreased by nearly 50% over the past decade. The city’s innovative efforts include promoting green and low-carbon development in key sectors, implementing a pioneering emissions trading system, and enhancing climate adaptation capabilities.

In 2024, Beijing release of the “Implementation Opinions on Building a Beautiful Beijing”, which expands the vision of sustainable development from “Green Beijing” to “Beautiful Beijing”, emphasizing harmony between humans and nature.

Moderated by Zhu Shu, Regional Director of the ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, the panel discussion facilitated a dynamic exchange. Experts from the City of Turku, Beijing Energy Holding, Beijing Drainage Group, and the Jiangshanfu Community in Shunyi District shared insights on empowering green and low-carbon development, carbon-neutral sewage treatment, and climate-adaptive community construction. The discussions showcased both international and local best practices, highlighting the transformative potential of grassroots and municipal actions in addressing global climate challenges.

 

panel discussion (Photo: ICLEI East Asia)

 

Looking ahead, ICLEI will continue to work closely with Beijing, to tackle climate challenges, promote urban sustainability, and collaborate with cities worldwide to jointly take ambitious actions for a greener future.