Peking University, January 15, 2021: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently launched the Chinese version of its flagship report, Global Environment Outlook 6 (GEO-6), in Beijing. UNEP officials, GEO-6 authors and experts in the field of environment were invited to attend the launching ceremony. At the ceremony, Professor Huang Yi from the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, delivered a speech as the co-chair of GEO-6 High-Level Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Advisory Group (HLG), and introduced the key information included in GEO-6.

Group photo

Professor Huang pointed out in her report that, with the theme of “Healthy Planet, Healthy People”, GEO-6 examined the global eco-environment. Based on oceans of eco-environment monitoring data and evaluation of the effects of environmental policies at different scales, Professor Huang said our eco-environment system has been already in crisis, and it was unlikely that the implementation of existing policies could reach environmental and development goals that were formulated by the international community. She called for the promotion of transformative environmental and development policies and the total abandonment of unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. She also encouraged international cooperation in order to achieve sustainable development goals and other internationally agreed environmental goals.

Huang Yi

At the ceremony, Zhao Yingmin, vice minister of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said in a video speech, “The publication of GEO-6 Chinese Version coincides with the time when China is formulating its 14th Five-Year Plan. This will definitely provide valuable experience for China to tackle climate change and work on environmental protection in the next five years.”

Inger Andersen, UNEP executive director, highlighted the significance of GEO-6 to global environmental governance. She said, “GEO-6 was co-written by experts from all over the world and designated by member states and stakeholders. I’d like to thank China for its expertise and strong support for this important work as HLG co-chair.” In her speech, Anderson also appreciated Professor Huang for her contributions.

Inger Andersen

The College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering has participated in this international programme since GEO-1 in 1997. Over the past 20 years and more, a number of faculty members have been engaged in relevant work and made great contributions to China’s participation in global environmental governance.

Source: PKU News (Chinese)