The long struggle for a successful societal green transformation will not be over soon. After 30 years of effort during which CCICED has been a steady contributor to shaping China’s E&D relationship, we see at least another 15 years of hard work ahead. On February 22, 2021, in advance of the 14th FYP, the State Council issued a circular (see Box 7.4) laying out key elements for “green, low carbon and circular development” for building a new economy over the period to 2035. This represents the underpinnings of an ecological civilization. There are no points covered in the circular where CCICED has not provided relevant recommendations at some point in past decades. For some, we have sent signals well in advance of what the State Council has been calling for. At other times, CCICED has been able to provide additional suggestions relevant to what is already a progressive policy shift by the Government of China.

FormalPara Box 9.1. “State Council Calls for Green, Low Carbon and Circular Development.” (22 February 2021)

http://english.www.gov.cn/policies/latestreleases/202102/22/content_WS6033af98c6d0719374af946b.html.

(Note: This box is the full text from the State Council release)

The State Council issued a circular on Feb 22, urging efforts to build an economic system featuring green, low-carbon and circular development, and to promote an overall green transformation of the economy and society.

By 2025, the industry, energy and transportation system will see a noticeable improvement, with the manufacturing, circulation and consumption system featuring green, low-carbon and circular development taking initial shape.

And as of 2035, the endogenous power for green development will be intensified, the scale of green industry will advance to a new level and the ecological environment will be fundamentally improved. The goal to build a Beautiful China will be basically achieved, the circular said.

In terms of building a green manufacturing system, the circular set targets in many sectors, including industry, agriculture, services, environmental protection, industrial parks, and cluster and supply chains.

For example, green reforms should be obtained in industries, including steel, petrochemical, chemical, nonferrous metal, building materials, textile, papermaking, leather, and others, the circular said. And all-out efforts should be made to develop the remanufacturing industry and clean production.

Also, work should be done to develop ecological circular agriculture, strengthen farmland protection and promote saving water in agriculture.

The circular called for efforts to develop green logistics, encourage reusing renewable resources, build a green trading system, promote consumption of green products and advocate a low-carbon lifestyle.

For example, green and low-carbon vehicles using new energy or clean energy should be promoted. Logistics enterprises are encouraged to establish digital operating platforms, and develop smart warehousing and transporting.

Accelerated efforts should be made to build a waste recycling system for renewable resources, such as waste paper, plastics, tires, metals and glass.

A green and low-carbon lifestyle will be advocated around the country by practicing thrift and reducing food waste. Domestic waste classification will be further implemented. The transportation system will be more intelligent to guide more people into green travel.

The green, low-carbon transformation also should be stepped up in China’s energy system. Work should be done to raise the utilization ratio of renewable resources and develop wind power and photovoltaic power. Also, rural power grids should be upgraded, and construction and interconnection of natural gas infrastructure should be sped up.

According to the circular, the urban and rural living environment will be improved. In urban areas, green residential communities and buildings will be built, while in rural areas work in clean heating and dilapidated housing rehabilitation will continue.

The circular also called on efforts to develop green, low-carbon technologies and accelerate the application of sci-tech outcomes.

Fiscal funds and national budget investment should be used to support environmental infrastructure, environmental protection industries, efficient utilization of energy, and resources recycling. Also, green financing, including loans, direct financing and insurance, should be developed.

The circular also said China will intensify international cooperation in sectors like energy saving and green energy. It will require more international exchanges in policy technology, green projects and talent training.

China will actively participate in and lead global climate governance, improve its capability of promoting green, low-carbon and circular development, and contribute to building a community of a shared future for mankind.

An important conclusion that China’s government has reached is the need for strengthened international cooperation as a means to build a “community of shared future.” We know that it is not only for people but also to ensure that all life forms can function in healthy ecosystems and within planetary boundaries. This struggle is the larger one that will take us at least to mid-century—with the fulfillment of ecological civilization and sustainable development ideals as an approach. What once seemed like a very distant set of goals around topics like climate change and biodiversity conservation of land, freshwater, and sea now has become an interlocked crisis at our global, national, and local doorsteps. CCICED should be generational in its scope and be prepared to work closely with those who will have to take up the challenges of turning today’s crises into tomorrow’s opportunities. It is impossible to achieve the necessary level of transformative change without careful attention to lifestyle, sharing, and collective action throughout the world. China can be an enabling force in these essential shifts.

While preparing this CCICED at 30 document, we have marvelled at the determination of the pioneers on both the Chinese and international sides. Some are named in our document— many others not, simply for our trying to keep this report relatively short. Without the groundwork done from the 1970s to the 1990s, it is doubtful that CCICED would have been able to flourish as quickly as it did during the first two Phases. We also wish that it was possible to add more content about the working meetings, field visits within China and outside, and, of course, the discussions with senior leaders. These discussions have been a magnet, attracting international figures, and a major feature for some donors. We believe there is still a two-way learning effort underway. It was one of the original objectives of CCICED that international participants might come to better understand Chinese approaches and needs. The days of just modifying what was already on the E&D bookshelf are long gone. At its best, the CCICED collaborative teamwork of today is very satisfying since innovative solutions emerge.

The amount of time dedicated by some CCICED members and those involved with research and in the organization of special events is well appreciated. Also appreciated is the considerable effort that it takes to travel either to China or, in the case of Chinese CCICED participants, to participate in study trips abroad. Sometimes this travel amounts to more than 10,000 km and three continents. Surely this travel need may diminish somewhat in the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 world of live video exchanges.

Even though COVID disrupted agendas worldwide at the start of this new decade, strengthened efforts for solving longer-term environmental emergencies are emerging. It is essential that integrated planning and management of sustainable development action is accelerated throughout the world. China has reached a stage where its leadership is needed both inside the country and internationally. It is very encouraging that CCICED is now planning the details for Phase VII (2022–2026). This period is significant for delivering on ambitious goals related to pollution reduction, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and the socio-ecological UN 2030 SDGs. Accelerated policy action now will embolden and inspire societies to make smart choices for the future. Further transformative change is necessary.

There has been considerable discussion globally and in many institutions on the need to strengthen resilience and to build back better in the wake of COVID-19 damage. These terms are helpful to the extent that they genuinely address a move towards sustainability and towards an ecological civilization future. The problem is that for many people, “building back better” translates into re-creating what already was in place—tweaking rather than transforming. Perhaps it may be better to shift to alternative language, such as Building Forward Better or Building Forward Together. These latter terms more directly reflect action for reducing inequities and take full advantage of green development and embracing other future-oriented innovations.

The hybrid model of a limited number of TFs, with each having several special policy studies, has worked well during CCICED Phase VI. So far in the planning for Phase VII, four TFs have been proposed (see Box 7.5). This list provides continuity with existing key subjects, but it also is intended to bolster work plans. In all cases, greater emphasis will be placed on the quality of development and, wherever possible, mechanisms for accelerated action. There will be further efforts to identify value-added synergies among key elements, such as between climate change and biodiversity and among the many ways to transition to a low-carbon economy and lifestyle. By placing greater emphasis on sustainable production and consumption, CCICED hopes to identify innovative means for full societal participation in green development and local-level choices of green lifestyle, improved green supply chain decision making, and, of course, the development of the circular economy in cities, towns of all sizes, and in China’s vast countryside areas.

FormalPara Box 9.2. Four Proposed TFs for CCICED Phase VII (2022–2026)

(Source: CCICED Concept Note of Phase VII. CCICED Secretariat September 2021. 8 pp. This list may be subject to change)

Innovative Global Environmental Governance

Global environmental and development challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity, marine governance, BRI, etc.

National Green Governance System

Institutional and governance challenges during the green transition and supporting China’s War on Pollution.

Sustainable Production and Consumption

Adjustment of industrial, transportation, and energy structure and facilitating green and low-carbon production and lifestyle.

Low-Carbon and Inclusive Transition

Addresses inequality, risk prevention, and synergies during the green transition.

We are pleased that CCICED’s work has been so well documented and retained in accessible form over the years. The ability to easily access all key reports, recommendations, etc., is certainly valuable. Undoubtedly this will be useful for students, scholars, and others in the future to trace the dynamics of change over this past 30-year period, probably one of the most significant times for environmental changes over the long span of Chinese civilization. We hope it will be their children’s children who may thank us for what we in CCICED have tried to do for their health and prosperity—and for the health of the planet.