Multilateralism is the only way out! CCTV questions whether there are concerns about nuclear contaminated water being discharged into the sea. Interview with the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme: Addressing Climate Change

This summer, many parts of the world have experienced extreme weather events such as high temperatures, wildfires, floods, and hurricanes.

How should countries work together to address the severe challenges brought about by climate change? As an activist in global climate governance, how will China work together with other countries to build a clean and beautiful world?

Today, our guest is Ing Anderson, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. Let's search for answers together in the conversation.

Zou Yun: Ms. Anderson, welcome to the interview with "High end Interview". Let's start with this unusual summer. The world has experienced high temperatures, rainstorm, floods and mountain fires. It's really an extreme summer weather. You have mentioned before that the impact of climate change exceeds any situation experienced by the Earth and humans. What lessons do you think we can learn from it? More importantly, how should we take action?

Anderson: First of all, we don't have to panic, we should focus on dealing with it. This is exactly what I saw in China. China is not panicking, but rather focusing on responding. We should understand the causes of these events, and there are clear research results on this. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, composed of scientists, has been studying this for over 30 years and has concluded that the more gases such as carbon dioxide and methane emitted by human activities, the worse the situation will be. As the concentration of carbon dioxide increases, the atmosphere that protects our planet will absorb and accumulate more solar radiation. We hope to reduce the emissions of these gases. So that's why renewable energy is so important, electric vehicles are so important, and smart buildings are so important. This is what we see in China and around the world. Impressively, in China, the current installed capacity of non fossil energy power generation accounts for about 52%. What do you think?

Zou Yun: This is indeed a global leader.

Anderson: Indeed. China is conducting trade in renewable energy infrastructure both domestically and internationally, which presents enormous opportunities.

On December 12, 2015, at the Paris Climate Change Conference, the landmark Paris Agreement was finally born after a difficult game. Ban Ki moon, then Secretary General of the United Nations, praised China's historic and outstanding contributions in promoting the Paris Agreement.

In the Paris Agreement, all parties pledged to control the increase in global average temperature from pre industrial levels within 2 degrees Celsius and strive to keep this value within 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, there are differences among countries on how to implement this goal. The main difficulty lies in coordinating the core concerns of countries at different stages of development.

Research shows that about 90% of global excess carbon emissions originate from developed countries. The international community generally believes that developed countries bear the historical, legal, and moral responsibility for causing global warming. At the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, developed countries collectively pledged to invest $100 billion annually from 2020 to support developing countries in addressing climate change. However, this promise has not been fulfilled yet. The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in December, and the commitment of $100 billion in annual climate funding has become a focus of attention from all parties.

Zou Yun: Recently, on August 15th, China celebrated its first National Ecological Day.How do you evaluate China's actions in green development and its emphasis on the modernization path of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature?

Anderson: I am glad to see China's actions, and I really like the poetic concept proposed by China - "Green mountains and clear waters are like mountains of gold and silver." I think such a poetic expression can resonate more with everyone because many people do not understand technical terms such as controlling temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius or greenhouse gases. I am really glad to see China establish a National Ecological Day, which has drawn the attention of the whole country to this issue. This is a Chinese expression of sustainable living, a Chinese expression of protecting the earth together, a Chinese expression of common development and eliminating poverty, achieving these goals without damaging the environment. Throughout the world, people have always had the impression of "becoming rich through pollution", right? For hundreds of years, the eradication of poverty in all countries has caused a significant amount of pollution. Wait until there is enough money before cleaning up the pollution. I think people have now realized that they can no longer take this path. The National Ecological Day in China, as well as related concepts and principles, indicate that people have realized that we have a better path to development. We need to live in harmony with nature and strive to live in a pollution-free world.

Zou Yun: China promises to achieve carbon peak before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060. How do you view China's green development path and its contribution to global environmental and climate change governance?

Anderson: The voice of China is really important. China's actions domestically are very important, and China's actions internationally are also very important. I mentioned renewable energy. It is noteworthy that China has made commitments and exceeded them in renewable energy. Now China has surpassed its promised goal of achieving renewable energy by 2025. In terms of governance, I would like to say that China, as a leading economy and a responsible emitter, has participated in climate negotiations from beginning to end.The carbon emissions of the G20 economies account for 80% of the global total and 84% of the world economy. So the G20 economies must make stronger and more ambitious commitments. This is crucial. Some economies have a long carbon footprint, while some countries have a shorter carbon footprint, which is the actual situation. The carbon emission history of each country varies. The 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference made a commitment on funding, planning to allocate $100 billion annually to address climate change by 2020. We are close to this goal. We are almost reaching our goal, so I hope that by the end of the year when the UAE Climate Conference is held, we will reach the target of developed countries investing 100 billion US dollars, which is three years late.

Zou Yun: Your visit to China this time is mainly to attend the annual meeting of the China International Cooperation Committee on Environment and Development. Can you share with us the core message you hope to convey during your participation?

Anderson: Firstly, China established an excellent platform like the China International Cooperation Committee on Environment and Development over 30 years ago, inviting global partners to engage in dialogue on policy issues. In my closing speech, I said that a country is willing to open its doors and say, "Please come in, please tell me your suggestions." This demonstrates both confidence and humility. This is extraordinary. To my knowledge, no other country has done so. So we came to China, which implements an open policy, and asked us, "What do you think? Please provide us with the best advice."

Zou Yun: This approach is indeed very rare, especially in the current world situation.

Anderson: This is remarkable because everyone knows that there are forces of division in geopolitics right now. But in the meetings of the past few days, we have not seen a situation of division. We have seen bridges of communication, trust, and confidence. This is very impressive. My speech is also related to what I just talked about. I appreciate China's active development of renewable energy both domestically and internationally. Can we make progress faster? Can the international community learn from China? In terms of energy, we need to cheer for China. It's really great to see the rapid development of China's electric vehicle industry. While developing electric vehicles, can we consider how to dispose of discarded batteries? Because we need precious metals such as cobalt, lithium, copper, platinum, etc. Can we consider the issue of recycling discarded electric vehicles? Develop relevant policies before electric vehicles are scrapped, so that we can utilize the precious metal components of scrapped electric vehicles without having to mine new mines. Therefore, I believe it is important to have a very clear understanding of key minerals. Thirdly, China has always maintained a leading position in biodiversity, and we will discuss this in more detail. We have reached an agreement, so how can we accelerate the implementation of these agreements? I think these issues are all very important.

Zou Yun: We just mentioned that you appreciate China's open attitude, which is not only reflected in environmental protection, but also related to many other international issues. In fact, as the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, you have repeatedly emphasized that addressing natural crises and climate change requires more multilateral efforts. Are you concerned about the further intensification of unilateralism and anti globalization sentiment?

Anderson: I am indeed worried. My boss, UN Secretary General Guterres, repeatedly emphasized that we cannot let geopolitical disputes disrupt our work and ruin it. This is too important. You mentioned that I once said climate is a major issue. The Secretary General of the United Nations once said that this is a moment of life and death for us, a crisis of survival. Geopolitical factors have led to a certain degree of unilateralism, which is not conducive to problem-solving. Therefore, what I have heard in countries such as China fills me with hope. Everyone has a consensus that although countries still have differences in other fields, let us work together on climate issues. I am optimistic because of my job, I must be optimistic. I believe that we will make some progress at the United Nations Climate Change Conference at the end of this year, because we must make progress. In Canada, some of the wettest areas are experiencing fires.

Zou Yun: Mountain fire.

Anderson: This mountain fire is really scary. From Canada to New York, people have to breathe the smoke generated by wildfires. Every country, especially the "global southern" countries, has been impacted by the climate change crisis. The crisis is urgent and climate change has arrived.

Anderson: We will inevitably face a common future, and no country is an island. The food I eat comes from farms in other countries, and my neighbors and I breathe the same air. The waves rolling from your coast will also surge towards my coast. The fact is that we are connected to each other. What you just mentioned is very accurate. We cannot be alone because we live on the same planet. Therefore, we need to recognize that multilateralism is the only way out when we encounter difficulties. We don't have walls that can withstand climate change. It's not that building a wall will prevent the sea level from rising. So the United Nations and its Secretary General are vigorously promoting the resolution of this issue, because like many other leaders, he understands that action must be taken, and procrastination is essentially collective suicide.

Zou Yun: Speaking of this interconnected relationship, are you concerned about Japan's nuclear contaminated water being discharged into the sea?

Anderson: The one handling this matter is another United Nations agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, headquartered in Vienna. But in a broader sense, I would like to say that we are paying attention to this event from the periphery. We did not participate in this work because we do not have the ability to handle nuclear and fission related issues. This is not within the scope of the Environmental Planning Agency's work.

Zou Yun: This is still a pollution related issue.

Anderson: Indeed, but this aspect of work is handled by institutions with relevant capabilities. However, I also know that the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution declaring the right to a healthy and clean environment as a universal human right. Therefore, I believe that discussions on this issue will continue on many forums. We will certainly continue to closely monitor.

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On December 19, 2022, in Montreal, Canada, at 3am local time, the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity entered the final review stage of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This framework, abbreviated as the "Kunmeng Framework", is known as the "Paris Agreement" in the field of biodiversity governance and has milestone significance. At the last moment, negotiations remained deadlocked, with some countries leaving the negotiating table at one point.

How to set global biodiversity governance goals and ensure that governance ambitions do not become empty promises, but rather translate into practical actions? How to alleviate the trust deficit caused by some developed countries failing to fulfill their funding commitments to countries in the "global south"? Some developing countries are concerned that the international verification mechanism may become a tool for political criticism. How can we achieve fairness and justice in global governance?

The Chinese side urgently convened a meeting of delegation leaders to eliminate misunderstandings among all parties. After a long and arduous negotiation, the "Kunmeng Framework" has finally been hammered out. As a witness to this process, Ms. Anderson was deeply impressed by the leading role played by China.

Zou Yun: The "Kunmeng Framework" was approved ahead of schedule last year. We all know that achieving this important global consensus is not an easy task. This is a difficult journey. You know this better than I do. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to bridge the differences between countries with different positions and even conflicting interests. How do you view the role played by China in it?

Anderson: We have reached an agreement on the Kunming Declaration, which sets out the basic principles we hope to achieve. This is very helpful because we have clearly defined the path and goals, and then it's time for negotiations. Through the unremitting efforts of the Chinese side and the hard work of our Chinese friends, we have made great progress. Therefore, when the second phase of the meeting was held in Montreal, we already knew the positions of all parties and preliminarily judged that we would be able to reach a certain degree of consensus. But in the final few nights of negotiations, we still spent three or four o'clock in the morning. In the end, through firm determination, wise diplomacy, and extraordinary hard work, everyone reached a consensus. The Chinese team has approximately 200 people involved in this work. It is precisely because we have put in tremendous effort that we have been able to achieve results.

Zou Yun: A United Nations report shows that nearly one million species of animals and plants will become extinct within decades. Can you introduce to us the urgency of reversing biodiversity loss and the significance of this framework?

Anderson: Yes, you're absolutely right. There are approximately 8 million species on our planet, only 8 million. And we humans are one of these 800 species of all things. You are right, if we don't take action, we will lose about one million species. People will say, what does this matter? A fly, an orchid, a butterfly, an ant, why do I care? However, nature is such a magical system, where everything is interconnected. This did not happen suddenly, but evolved over millions of years. Therefore, if one or another species is lost, the entire system will become dysregulated. Let's think about how our crops and fruits are pollinated through birds and bees.

Therefore, we cannot lose this part of nature, otherwise an effective agricultural and food system will be unsustainable. Let's take a look at how rain is formed. Trees evaporate water through photosynthesis, condense into clouds, and then return to us in the form of rainfall. If we destroy the vegetation, the rain will be interrupted. Therefore, we need to understand that all things in nature are interdependent. We have reached the "Kunmeng Framework". This ambitious agreement proposes to jointly curb and reverse the loss of biodiversity. We need to protect at least 30% of the land.

Zou Yun: The "3030" goal is a milestone consensus.

Anderson: Yes. By 2030, we will protect 30% of land and water, restore another 30% of degraded ecosystems, and provide $30 billion in biodiversity conservation funding. We will halve the toxic substances in sewage and the risk of using pesticides. We need to address the issue of invasive species. We have reached this agreement, and China has played an important leadership role.

Zou Yun: Plastic pollution is also a major focus of your work, so you refer to the United Nations Resolution to End Plastic Pollution as the most important multilateral environmental agreement since the Paris Agreement. Why are you so concerned about this issue? Additionally, how do you think can we ensure that economic and social development are not sacrificed too much while achieving this goal?

Anderson: Let's think about plastic, this precious material, which is a very useful material. Don't misunderstand me, I am not against plastic, I am against plastic pollution in the environment. Let's think about it. When we go to the store to buy something, at least in Western countries, the salesperson will give you a plastic bag to hold five tomatoes. When you get home, put the tomatoes away, and the plastic bag becomes garbage. This is too crazy! This precious material is made from the resources we extract from underground. We only took five minutes to throw it away. We need to rethink our relationship with plastics. We should bid farewell to disposable plastic products and use other packaging materials. Abandoned cotton, coffee bean shells, cocoa bean shells, and peanut shells, which are discarded during food processing, can be used to make packaging. Plastics are indeed needed in fields such as medicine, and we should achieve recyclability. China banned the import of plastic waste in 2018, which was a remarkable decision. I believe that China's amazing innovation, imagination, and creativity can help the world find solutions and help us break free from these pollutants in an innovative way.

Zou Yun: Ms. Anderson, as far as I know, you have been to China many times. I would like to know what impressive examples you have seen in environmental protection or ecological civilization that may have inspired other countries?

Anderson: Where should I start? Let me make a long story short, because there is too much to say! The topic of energy transformation has been discussed earlier. In terms of ecology, China has now clarified the ecological protection red line, determining where to do what, what resources need to be protected, and which areas should be agricultural land, etc. This is a very meaningful and remarkable policy. China is still implementing large-scale land restoration plans, especially in the north, where millions of hectares of land have been restored. In fact, "Chinese Landscape Engineering" has been selected as one of the first ten "World Ecological Restoration Flagship Projects" by the United Nations. This is not something that has only happened in recent years. When I was young, in the 1990s, we participated in this incredible restoration project on the lowest plateau in China. This kind of work is very outstanding and deserves attention.

Zou Yun: As a senior environmentalist, do you have any special personal habits or daily lifestyles that you think are worth sharing with our audience, which may help with environmental protection?

Anderson: When I'm at home, I ride a bike everywhere because it's beneficial for my health, it's really good, and I don't need any gasoline to travel. There are still many things, I have installed solar panels in my residence in Kenya. This will be a gift for Kenya when I leave because I cannot take the solar panels with me. I remember these solar panels were produced in China, and my family installed 35 solar panels. I have achieved complete self-sufficiency in energy. I think we need to think about our personal lifestyle habits. The food we buy should eventually enter our stomachs, not the trash cans, right? All food should be like this. Food waste is a big problem. The Chinese government has launched the Clean Your Plate Campaign, which I appreciate very much.

Zou Yun: Ms. Anderson, you have been working in international organizations dealing with climate change issues for about 30 years.

Anderson: Yes.

Zou Yun: Have you had any special experiences or stories that have influenced your career path and understanding of your mission? Is it the experience when your grandmother took you to talk to trees early in the morning when you were a child? Or did you have the experience of teaching and participating in humanitarian work in Sudan when you were in your twenties? Or what other experiences have affected you?

Anderson: It seems that you understand my life experiences very well.

Zou Yun: I did some homework.

Anderson: My grandmother was born north of the Arctic Circle. She is Norwegian. When you were born in such a cold place, it was very cold

Zou Yun: The sky is cold and the earth is frozen.

Anderson: The conditions are harsh, and the trees can only be so high at most because it's very cold there. You will appreciate nature in a completely different way. I was lucky that she passed away when I was 22 years old. So I can spend a long time with her. She taught me a lot and taught me to treat the Earth gently, because when you live in such a harsh environment, you must be diligent, thrifty, and frugal. I think her influence on me is very significant. She will make me talk to trees.

Zou Yun: I know.

Anderson: She will make me talk to plants, hoping that I can establish a connection with them. That's how she did it. My mother always says that my grandmother asked you to talk to plants again, but I like doing so. When I was young, I worked in humanitarian work in Sudan, which made me very respected. Because when you are in a place where people have nothing... I mean really nothing, they seem to have been forgotten by the world. That was during the Great Famine in the late 1980s, when people