Speech By Mattias Lentz, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to China, at the Opening Event of Sustainability Tour 2024 social media campaign

Dear colleagues from the EU Member States Embassies, the EU Delegation and the European Investment Bank,

Projects partners,

Media guests,

All friends joining us online,

I am pleased to speak to you today to announce the launch of the Sustainability Tour 2024.

Organised by the Delegation of the European Union to China, the Sustainability Tour is a social media campaign that celebrates cooperation between the European Union, the European Union Member States and China in projects that foster sustainability in our societies and economies.

We have just witnessed the hottest summer on record in China, in Europe and in the World. Climate change is a global challenge that requires a decisive and confident response from all countries. No country can tackle today's challenges and tomorrow's emerging threats alone. We need to work together around the World to turn solutions into reality.

This second edition of the Sustainability Tour affirms that global green transition remains at the core of EU-China relations, from high-level dialogues to applications that have a positive impact on people's lives. Challenges of climate change, desertification, pollution and biodiversity loss are interconnected and are an existential threat to humanity and the planet. To address these challenges, the EU and China collaborate in areas such as circular economy, biodiversity, chemical management, plastic pollution, national carbon markets, climate adaptation, methane emissions management and control, the clean energy transition, and oceans sustainability.

In the coming weeks, major international climate and environment negotiations will take place: COP16 on Biodiversity in Colombia; COP29 on Climate Change in Azerbaijan; COP16 on Desertification in Saudi Arabia; and the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in the Republic of Korea. We should not miss the opportunity to step up our actions and accelerate a global, just and inclusive green transition. The Summit of the Future, on 22 and 23 September during the 79^th session of the UN General Assembly, is another opportunity to change our future. Negotiations of a Pact for the Future will address pressing international issues, including sustainable development and financing for development.

While the EU is committed to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050 and our carbon emissions have been steadily decreasing since 1990, the EU has been also continuously increasing support to partner countries towards a green transition. Nowadays, the EU and its 27 Member States are the biggest providers of public climate finance in the world. The EU remains committed to support partner countries and helping them to address barriers to the implementation of key commitments agreed amongst countries.

Dear friends,

Everyone can help limit climate change. The bicycle, which is at the heart of the Sustainability Tour, is a simple and accessible way to give your contribution. You too have the chance to help fighting climate change, by riding a bike instead of driving. Cycling will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and has the advantage of also benefiting your health.

I invite you to embark on this journey on two wheels to learn about the meaning of sustainability and collaboration between the EU and China. I hope that the Sustainability Tour will be an inspiring trip for you. The EU and China shall continue working together towards a more sustainable future.

Enjoy the ride. Stay safe and sustainable!

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