By Mayara Subtil*
The development of a joint environmental agenda between Brazil and China, with greater integration among science, conservation, and sustainable production, was the focus of a meeting held in Beijing, China, with universities and civil society organizations. IPAM (Amazon Environmental Research Institute) participated in the discussions on Monday (14), which identified research priorities, opportunities for collaboration, and barriers to be overcome in cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on the period between COPs 30 and 33.
The China-Brazil CSOs Closed-door Dialogue on Environmental Conservation was organized by WWF China, in partnership with iCS (Climate and Society Institute) and other supporters. The meeting was divided into two sessions: in the morning, discussions brought together representatives from universities, and in the afternoon, civil society organizations.
Olivia Zerbini, a researcher at IPAM, highlighted at the meeting the need to integrate different dimensions of the environmental agenda—from food production to biodiversity conservation—as well as to address the extreme effects of climate change.
“We need to connect soils and biogeochemical cycles to biodiversity, integrated agroecosystem management, the regenerative economy, and value-based markets, while also advancing food sovereignty, community resilience, and climate justice. “This is a process that must be built collaboratively, incorporating the perspective of producers as well,” he stated.
The participation of different stakeholders in the development of indicators was also among the points highlighted during the dialogue. For Zerbini, involving producers themselves in this process allows for the incorporation of different perspectives and brings knowledge production closer to the realities on the ground.
The debate is taking place amid expectations regarding China’s role in the international climate agenda in the coming years. According to a Bloomberg report, Chinese officials are evaluating a possible bid by the country to host COP33, scheduled for 2028, after India withdrew its offer to host the climate conference. The talks, however, are still in the early stages, and there is no confirmation that the Chinese government will submit a bid.
COP33 will also play a crucial role in the Paris Agreement cycle, with the completion of the secondGlobal Stocktake—a process that assesses countries’ collective progress toward meeting climate goals. The decision on the host country rests with the Asia-Pacific regional group, which is responsible for nominating the future host nation for the 2028 summit.
Brazil-China Cooperation
The meeting is part of a series of events organized by IPAM in China to expand cooperation between the two countries on issues related to climate, forests, biodiversity, agriculture, and sustainable development.
On September 13 and 14, the institute participated in the 2nd Brazil-China Symposium on Forests and Nature in Hangzhou. The event brought together experts and representatives from both countries to discuss topics such as forest protection, biodiversity, food security, sustainable agriculture, and nature finance, as well as to explore ways to expand bilateral cooperation in these areas.
This agenda builds on the exchange of experiences on ecological restoration previously held in China. IPAM participated in the Ecological Civilization Flagship Knowledge Exchange Program, which brought together researchers and representatives from different countries to learn about Chinese policies and experiences in restoration, sustainable agriculture, nature-based solutions, and combating pollution.
During the program, participants also visited ecological restoration initiatives and learned about efforts to rehabilitate degraded areas. The exchange aimed to bring together different international experiences and identify opportunities for cooperation and the application of solutions in other contexts.
Upcoming Events
IPAM’s schedule in China continues this Tuesday (the 15th), with new meetings focused on cooperation between the two countries. Among the planned activities is a meeting with representatives from AGFEP (Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy), a research institute affiliated with CAU (China Agricultural University), established in 2020.
On the same day, the institute will participate in the China-Brazil Dialogue on Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Agrifood Systems, a meeting dedicated to regenerative agriculture and the development of more sustainable agrifood systems. The goal of the discussion is to broaden the dialogue between the two countries on food production, environmental conservation, and the transition to production models that are more resilient to climate change.
*IPAM communications analyst. mayara.barbosa@ipam.org.br