On 8 November, EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo met with the Minister of Ecology and Environment of China Huang Runqiu to exchange views on COP27 (Climate), taking place from this week in Sharm el-Sheikh, and on Part Two of COP 15 (biodiversity), which is chaired by China. Ambassador Toledo expressed the EU’s wish to further strengthen climate and environment cooperation with China.

In this first meeting with Minister Huang since his accreditation as EU Ambassador to China, Ambassador Toledo was accompanied by representatives of EU Members States: Ms Ivana Grollova, Deputy Head of Mission to China of the Czech Republic, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, Sweden Ambassador Helena Sangeland, Spain Ambassador Rafael Dezcallar, Belgium Ambassador Jan Hoogmartens, and The Netherlands Ambassador Wim Geerts.

Both sides praised bilateral climate and environment cooperation across the board, including in areas such as methane and carbon markets. Both sides confirmed their strong commitment to the Paris Agreement and to delivering on their respective ambitious targets. Ambassador Toledo reassured Minister Huang on the EU’s commitment to deliver on its 2030 climate targets cutting net greenhouse gas at least by 55% (on 1990 levels) and reach climate neutrality by 2050, despite the challenges posed by the current energy crisis triggered by Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine. The package “Repower Europe” just put in place by the EU, will make sure that, not only Russia will fail in blackmailing the EU with energy supply shortages this winter, but that the EU will keep, and even reinforce, its ambitious climate targets and commitments. The EU calls all Parties to increase ambitions and enhance climate action, including in climate finance.

During the friendly and candid exchange that lasted over two hours, Ambassador Toledo also had the chance to congratulate Minister Huang on the impressive work already accomplished ahead of Part Two of COP 15 and reassured the Minister of the EU’s full support in making China’s Chairmanship of COP15 a resounding success, aiming at protecting 30% of land and oceans by 2030, the famous “30 by 30 target”.