Global Transformation of China’s Ecological Civilization Paradigm as Part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Increasingly recognized by the international community, the Chinese paradigm for the building and development of ecological civilization provides a direction and approach for global transition from industrial civilization to ecological civilization. China has done a great job in low-carbon development and climate change mitigation, and has made outstanding contributions to achieving the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations. At the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are five dimensions—people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership, collectively known as the 5P’s—for achieving harmony between man and nature. We can say that the action plan proposed in the Agenda goes beyond the three pillars of “economy, society, and environment” under industrial civilization, and it involves China’s great contributions to establishing ecological civilization. If industrial civilization could be regarded as a revolutionary innovation in human development by the West, then China’s building of ecological civilization would be a fundamental contribution to global sustainable development by adding Eastern wisdom to the cause.

The original text, published in the 3rd issue of Dongyue Discussions in 2018, has the title “Strategic Recognition, Development Paradigm and Strategic Measures for the Building of Ecological Civilization in a New Era.” It was abridged to be included in this book.