Hosted by the Global Compact Network China and organized by the Global Compact Promotion Office of China Enterprise Confederation, the China Summit on Caring for Climate convened senior business leaders, chief executives, UN representatives and members of the Chinese Government to discuss action on their shared commitment to address climate change.

At the summit leading representatives from the Chinese business community including members of China Enterprise Confederation, China Federation of Industrial Companies and China Association of Listed Companies presented a proposal for joint action against climate change. The statement declares that companies should “address climate change and reduce pollution and emissions” and proposes seven action areas for Chinese companies, including a commitment to low-carbon development and the proactive reduction of emissions.

Held at the Sinopec Conference Center from 29-31 July in Beijing, the event introduced the goals, policies and measures the Chinese Government has in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and showcased best practices from Chinese companies in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation. It served as a platform for exchange and dialogue between Government officials, entrepreneurs, scholars, civil society organizations and members of the business community, with an aim to drive innovation and promote collaboration in response to international conventions on climate change.

Participants included Chairman of SINOPEC and Global Compact Board member Fu Chengyu, Chairman of China Enterprise Confederation Wang Zhongyu and Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Xie Zhenhua.

Youth representatives from China, Japan and Korea demonstrated their support of the government and business commitments to address climate change in a signed youth statement. The UN Global Compact China-Japan-Korea Network Roundtable Forum selected Corporate Social Responsibility Youth Ambassadors to promote corporate sustainability in their communities and among their peers.

In a video message, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the summit and urged businesses to accelerate climate action. He stated, “It all starts with a commitment to ecologically sound growth, and this summit brings together the actors that know the market realities needed to accelerate ecologically sound economic action.” He also encouraged increased momentum towards a universal climate change agreement by 2015.