Chinese NGO Holds Forum at Rio+20

At a forum held on June 16 at the Rio Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a group of Chinese scholars and entrepreneurs introduced what they have been doing in order to push the boundaries of sustainable development in China. The forum, entitled Resource Environment and Sustainable Development, was organized by the Chinese Society for Sustainable Development, along with Tsinghua-Federal University of the Rio de Janeiro China-Brazil Center for Climate Change and Energy Technology Innovation, the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21, China NGO Network for International Exchanges, the UN Association of China, and the International Green Economy Association.

Seven Chinese panel speakers held presentations at the forum, addressing a wide range of topics varying from clean energy use, sustainable urban construction programs and transportation to green economy and innovative recycling agriculture.

Teng Fei, a professor from the Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy at Beijing's Tsinghua University, introduced his research on clean fuel consumption; while Cui Dapeng from the Low Carbon Research Group, elaborated on his perceptions of green economy, which incorporate both a low-carbon approach as well as social engagement. Cui also briefed the audience on how China is currently carrying out several trial projects regarding green economy.

Chen Guanghui, chairman of Huangshan Multidimensional Biotechnology Co. in east China's Anhui Province, demonstrated how local farmers as well as his company have benefited from the various biotechnologies his business has invented.

He Jiankun, director of the Institute of Low Carbon Economy at Tsinghua University and vice chairman of the Chinese Society for Sustainable Development, stated China has made significant progress concerning sustainable development over the past two decades, but along with rapid economic development and urbanization, the country is now facing the ever-increasing pressures from resource depletion, environmental degradation and climate change. He called for closer international cooperation so that developed and developing countries can join hands to cope with these challenges and further promote global sustainable development.

Following the presentations, the panelists answered questions from the audience, and shared their views on sustainable development with them.

About 20 Chinese NGOs participated in the sideline events of the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, engaging in discussions and exchanging information with their foreign counterparts on virtually all kinds of sustainability issues.