Beijing, April 20, 2016 – China Business Council for Sustainable Development (CBCSD) held the Twelfth Conference on Latest Trends of Sustainable Development with a specific focus on green and low carbon development pathways on April 20th in Beijing. The event gathered more than 130 high level attendees from CBCSD Board and member companies, the larger Chinese corporate sector, government, academia and civil society.

WBCSD President and CEO Peter Bakker participated in the introductory session through a video address directed to CBCSD, its members and the conference attendees. President of China Enterprises Confederation and former Standing Vice Chairman of CPPCC, Mr. Wang Zhongyu then delivered a speech focused on the new national strategy, and how it brings about novel goals for businesses in addressing sustainable development. In his opinion, corporate social responsibility should be carried out with a perspective of structural adjustment, technology development, energy conservation and emission reduction management to successfully achieve green and low carbon developments.

Dr. Myung-Ja Kim, Chairperson of Korea Business Council for Sustainable Development (KBCSD), proposed further business collaboration on the basis of the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement. She also invited participants to attend the Second Korea-China Sustainable Development CEO Roundtable in Jeju in September 2016.

Additional presentations during the day offered insights into natural resource governance, energy efficiency, and new urbanization challenges – as well as how business can contribute with solutions to address these and ensure a sustainable and low carbon development. Speakers include: Su Wei, Director General of the Department of Climate Change, National Development and Reform Commission; Li Tie, Director of China Center for Urban Development of National Development and Reform Commission; Song Zhiping, Chairman of CNBM; Yang Fuqiang, Senior Advisor of Natural Resources Defense Council; Wei Jigang, Researcher of Research Department of DRC, the State Council; Duan Maosheng, Director of the National Carbon Market Research Center in Tsinghua University; Zhang Jian, Director of Urban and Rural Planning Management Center of MOHURD; Zheng Daqing, Global Vice President of BASF; and Jennifer Ye, Partner of Risk Assurance Services in PwC China.

President of CBCSD, Mr. Wang Jiming gave the closing speech, highlighting that CBCSD will play a predominant role in connecting businesses, government and other organizations going forward, working to implement sustainable business solutions with its member companies and additional partners, with guidance from corresponding governmental agencies.