In exploring sustainability, different countries have formulated various models which give preference to different factors, such as technological innovation, the market, or legal and administrative tools. The formulation of models is generally influenced by a nation's system of governance, stage of development, and market environment. China's ecological progress, in line with its political, economic, social, cultural, and ecological conditions, emphasizes the comprehensive application of various tools, imbuing every aspect of production and life with the concept of green development. This paradigm hoists sustainability to the level of human civilization, with the aim of achieving harmony between humankind and nature and realizing social prosperity over eons to come. It signifies China's vision and solution to addressing the sustainable development challenge.

Building a community of shared future

Forging a civilization that embodies ecological sustainability is the joint responsibility of all human beings. Since the Industrial Revolution, excessive exploitation of natural resources has sapped the ecology, and prejudiced the survival and development of humankind. There is only one earth on which humans subsist. Nations of the planet live in the same ecological system, and face a common destiny. Protecting the world and realizing sustainable development are therefore matters of global concern, requiring all nations to shoulder their shared responsibility. Building a sound ecological environment – or striking a balance between protection and development – is China's goal and chosen path, as it is for all nations.

The concept of promoting ecological progress has been widely commended in the international community. The UN Environment (UNEP) officially incorporated this ideology into its resolution at the 27th governing council in 2013. In UNEP's report on China's ecological progress strategy and action of 2016, the then executive director Achim Steiner declared China's proposed ecological progress a useful exploration and concrete practice in making the concept of sustainable development a reality, and providing references whereby other countries may address similar economic, environmental and social challenges. The idea of an ecological civilization sets a new goal and charts a fresh path on the course of sustainability, marking another dimension in this high endeavor.

Achieving global ecological progress requires joint actions from all nations. On the premise of forging a community of shared future for all humankind, all countries should make joint efforts to enjoy a good ecological environment. The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers a key platform for bringing this idea to fruition. Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed, at the plenary session of the BRICS Xiamen Summit on September 4, 2017, to seek coordinated and inclusive development that unifies the economy, society and the environment by virtue of the opportunity to implement the 2030 Agenda. The international community needs strengthened cooperation and exchange, in particular in the aspects of capital and technology, to build a new-model of complementary, mutual-benefit global environmental governance system. However, taking into account the differences in national situations, development stages, cultures, and politics, it is impossible for all countries to model themselves according to a single paradigm. Instead, we should, in light of its particular conditions, confluence the ecological progress idea with the flows of economic, social, political and cultural development, thus forming models that fit their respective situations.

Zhang Huiyuan is director of the Ecological Progress Research Center, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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