The UN Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm in 1972, was a turning point for environmental governance. It saw the emergence of global environmental cooperation as a concept – in part, as an attempt to create a common frame of reference that could transcend the geopolitics of the Cold War – and the creation of new alliances and divisions, particularly between the Global North and South.
It was also a critical moment for the People’s Republic of China, which had only recently come to occupy the China seat at the United Nations and had famously begun its rapprochement with the United States, following President Nixon’s visit to China. Most importantly, it marked the beginning of environmental protection as a concept in China and laid the groundwork for China’s position on sustainability, climate change and other critical issues at the UN.
As we approach the 50th anniversary of Stockholm 1972, China Dialogue and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute are organizing a series of workshops to identify synergies and opportunities for collaboration across multilateral processes on climate, nature, human rights, development, gender equality and health.
On 28-29 September 2021 Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) and China Dialogue organised a hybrid event in Stockholm: ‘Towards Stockholm+50: China’s Role in Global Environmental Governance’.
Read the conference proceedings and a series of articles prepared for the conference in this report published by RWI and China Dialogue:
HighlightsThe conference was organised around five sessions:
Stockholm 1972: Why the Anniversary Matters
Much has changed in the 50 years since the UN Conference on the Human Environment, but its legacy remains important. Why did it matter, and what has changed since?
- Björn-Ola Linnér, Professor in Environmental Change, Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research Linköping University
- Johanna Lissinger Peitz, Stockholm +50 Ambassador, Ministry of the Environment, Sweden
- Heidi Wang Kaeding, Lecturer in International Relations, Keele University
- Marcos A. Orellana, UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights
- Chair: Sam Geall, CEO, China Dialogue
China’s Participation in Global Governance of the Environment
The evolution of China’s environmental policies since 1972 has been remarkable. China is now at the centre of efforts towards a global deal for nature and the climate. What is the legacy of Stockholm in protecting nature and the climate, and preventing harm from pollution and contamination?
- Chen Jiliang, Researcher at Greenovation Hub
- Li Shuo, Senior Global Policy Advisor, Greenpeace East Asia
- Mao Da, Director, Toxic-Free China
- Chair: Ma Tianjie, Beijing Project Director, China Dialogue
Geopolitical Tensions – What Role Can Sweden Play?
The 2020 “super year for the environment” was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and coincided with rising global geopolitical tensions and a historic low-point for multilateralism. What role can Sweden play to support action and effective policy-making towards Stockholm+50?
- Jonas Ebbesson, Professor of Environmental Law, Director of Stockholm Environmental Law and Policy Centre, Stockholm University, Chair of the Compliance Committee of the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention)
- Karl Hallding, Senior Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute
- Johanna Lissinger Peitz, Stockholm +50 Ambassador, Ministry of the Environment, Sweden
- Chair: Malin Oud, Director of Stockholm Office, China Programme Director, The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Litigating the Climate Emergency and the Healthy Ecosystems Crises
The devastating effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on human rights call for innovative approaches to bring about transformative change. To what extent can litigation help catalyse this?
- David R. Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on Human rights and the Environment
- Pooven Moodley, Director of Natural Justice and ICCA/Territories of Life Consortium Council co-chair on Defending Territories of Life
- Zhang Jingjing, Lecturer in law at University of Maryland Law School, and Director of the Center for Transnational Environmental Accountability
- Chair: Claudia Ituarte-Lima, Senior Researcher, The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
From Stockholm to Glasgow: Whither the Climate Deal and the Super Year?
Where are we now on the road towards Glasgow and beyond; are negotiations for the Rio Conventions (on climate, biodiversity and desertification) on track?
- Colombe Cahen-Salvador, Co-Founder & Executive Director, NOW!
- Dong Yue, Research Fellow, International Climate Affairs, President’s Office, Energy Foundation China
- Anna Åberg, Research Analyst, Environment and Society Programme, Chatham House
- Steven Stone, Chief of UN Environment’s Resources & Markets Branch (R&M)
- Chair: Isabel Hilton, Founder and Senior Advisor, China Dialogue
Read the conference proceedings and a series of articles prepared for the conference in this report published by RWI and China Dialogue:
DOWNLOAD THE BRIEF WITH CONCLUSIONS FROM THE CONFERENCE Towards Stockholm+50