Harmony between man and nature inspiration for concerted actions: China Daily editorial

The frequency with which bilateral and multilateral meetings on climate change have been held has only served to highlight the seriousness of the crisis and the growing sense of urgency that a great deal more needs to be done, and done quickly.

Although the test of the pandemic is more immediately acute, the climate challenge is undoubtedly more fundamental, inclusive and grave. Humanity has survived one pandemic after another, but runaway climate change could mean the end for our species. It would certainly precipitate disastrous consequences for people and all the natural systems that sustain us. With greenhouse gas emissions still increasing and temperatures rising, unless the world acts together and immediately, reaching the tipping point is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Which is why realizing harmony between man and nature which President Xi Jinping called for in his video speech at the Leaders Summit on Climate on Thursday is of practical, not just symbolic significance.

Building a shared future for all life on Earth by realizing an ecological civilization should be the shared aspiration of all humankind. That will not be achieved without concerted efforts to limit the global temperature rise. It is crucial that all countries shoulder their responsibility to find a people-oriented way to live in harmony with nature.

China is seeking to set a good example in this regard. Drawing upon the ancient Chinese notions of "unity of nature and man" and "follow nature's course", China attaches great importance to realizing an ecological civilization and it is not only making sustained efforts to create a beautiful China but also ensure we can all share a beautiful Earth.

These efforts are underpinned by the whole process of advancing the country's green and sustainable development, which includes the commitment to complete the world's largest reduction in carbon emission intensity, and realize carbon neutrality from carbon peaking in the shortest time in history.

But to advance cooperation on climate change, and do more to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must be upheld, and concerns of developing countries on capital, technology and capacity building must be addressed.

It is good to see the summit has built on the good momentum generated by talks between John Kerry, Biden's special climate envoy, and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua in Shanghai last week, in which the two sides affirmed the US and China are committed to working together, and with other countries, to hold the global average temperature increase to well below 2 Celsius and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 C.

It is to be hoped that Xi's proposal that countries strive to rise above their differences to improve the global climate governance system will resonate with countries so that global climate ambitions for mitigation, adaptation and support are strengthened to ensure the Paris Agreement-aligned temperature limit can be kept within reach.