Sustainable development report unveiled at COP30 in Brazil

The "2025 China Sustainable Development Indicator System" report is unveiled at the China Pavilion during the COP30 in Belem, Brazil, Nov. 10, 2025. [Photo/CICG] 

A report titled "2025 China Sustainable Development Indicator System" was unveiled on Monday at a side event on marine environment protection held at the China Pavilion during the 30th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, which runs from Nov. 10 to 21.

Li Gao, vice minister of ecology and environment, gives his speech at the China Pavilion during the COP30 in Belem, Brazil, Nov. 10, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

During the event, Li Gao, vice minister of ecology and environment, noted that in recent years China has made progress in both carbon reduction and carbon sink enhancement in the marine sector, promoting green and low-carbon development of the ocean industry. 

For example, the country's Blue Circle model for marine plastic waste recycling won the 2023 United Nations Champions of the Earth Award. China has also worked to prevent and control coastal pollution, restore marine ecosystems, and build beautiful bays. 

Meanwhile, China has continued to promote South-South cooperation through the joint establishment of marine laboratories and observation stations, providing technical assistance in sea-level rise assessment and marine waste management. 

Li emphasized that China stands ready to work hand in hand with U.N. agencies and countries around the world to jointly safeguard the environment.

Yu Yingfu, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), gives his speech via video at the China Pavilion during the COP30, Nov. 10, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Yu Yingfu, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), delivered a speech via video. He called for strengthening global consensus on ocean governance, expanding dialogue and cooperation, and increasing public participation to safeguard the global ocean environment. 

At the event, the report "2025 China Sustainable Development Indicator System" was jointly released by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges and Columbia University's Earth Institute. It presents a three-tier indicator system covering the national, provincial, and city levels, offering a comprehensive assessment of China's progress in sustainable development.

Since 2016, when China's national and provincial annual sustainable development evaluation measure was introduced, the country's overall sustainable development index has risen steadily, with a cumulative increase of 47.7%. Four sub-indexes, including economic growth, social well-being, environmental protection, and governance, all showed sustained improvement.

According to the report, nine Chinese cities — Hangzhou, Wuxi, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing, Changsha, Qingdao, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai — received 3A ratings in their sustainable development evaluations for 2025, a sign of their leadership in advancing green and low-carbon transitions. 

The report also includes comparative analyses in terms of sustainable development performance and practices with international cities such as Copenhagen, Vancouver, Seoul, Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, Lima, and Nairobi.

The event was held under the guidance of CICG and the Department of Marine Ecology and Environment of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.