As world leaders gather in Belém for COP30, the UN’s flagship climate summit, WWF International Director General Kirsten Schuijt is spotlighting China’s growing influence in bridging nature conservation and climate action. 🌿
In an exclusive interview with CGTN ahead of the conference, Schuijt praised China’s ‘two mountains’ philosophy—prioritizing environmental health as a foundation for economic growth—as a blueprint for global sustainability. "The world can be inspired by what China is doing in protected areas, species recovery, and climate mitigation," she said.
From Pandas to Progress 🐼
Schuijt highlighted China’s recent wins: the revival of giant panda and tiger populations, expanded marine protections, and its September 2025 submission of upgraded climate targets (NDCs) to the UN. With renewables now outpacing coal globally, she emphasized China’s "key role" in accelerating this green transition.
Building on COP15 Legacy 🌏
As host of the 2022 COP15 biodiversity summit, China helped secure the historic Kunming-Montreal Framework, including the ‘30 by 30’ goal to protect 30% of Earth’s land and seas by 2030. Schuijt urged continued leadership: "Nature isn’t a sidebar agenda—it’s our best ally against climate breakdown."
With COP30 now underway, all eyes are on how nations will unite to turn pledges into action. For young climate advocates worldwide, China’s mix of policy and pandas offers a compelling case study. 💡
