International consultants praise China's environmental policy – and demand a 15-year plan
Vienna, April 19, 2026 — China is getting a boost for its environmental policy – and from the very top. On Monday, an international advisory panel explicitly praised the People's Republic's efforts to improve environmental quality. In a draft recommendation paper, the experts propose a 15-year strategy against air, water, and soil pollution. The message is clear: Beijing should not only maintain its green course but massively expand it.
Who is advising whom here?
The council in question is the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), an advisory body established in 1992 that reports directly to the Chinese State Council. The council includes international scientists, former ministers, and representatives from environmental organizations, as well as Chinese government representatives. The recommendations are not binding but carry political weight in Beijing.
The draft now presented emphasizes China's progress in reducing fine dust, expanding renewable energies, and reforestation. At the same time, the paper warns: Without a coordinated 15-year plan, there's a risk of falling back into old patterns. Specific targets for CO₂ reductions or limit values are not mentioned in the published excerpt.
Europe's Dilemma with the Green Dragon
For European observers, the news is mixed. On the one hand, the world needs a China that reduces its ecological footprint – the People's Republic remains the world's largest CO₂ emitter. On the other hand, Beijing is also using its green transformation as a geopolitical instrument: Chinese solar modules and batteries already dominate the global market, putting European manufacturers under pressure.
The EU faces a balancing act. Brussels has set its own climate goals with the Green Deal while simultaneously wanting to reduce its dependence on Chinese technologies. When international bodies praise China's environmental policies, it strengthens Beijing's negotiating position – for example, at climate conferences or in trade disputes over subsidies for green technologies.
15 years – for what exactly?
Details of the proposed long-term strategy are still scarce. According to reports, the CCICED recommends an integrated approach that combines air pollution control, water protection, and soil remediation. The circular economy and biodiversity protection are also to be given greater weighting. Whether and how these proposals will be incorporated into the Chinese government's next five-year plan remains to be seen.
Critics point out that despite all progress, China continues to approve and build new coal-fired power plants. The gap between announcements and implementation remains a persistent issue. Environmental organizations like Greenpeace have been demanding binding intermediate targets with independent oversight for years – so far without success.
The Two Sides of Power
China's environmental policy is simultaneously climate policy and industrial policy. What appears as ecological reason also serves economic expansion. Europe must understand this dual strategy to avoid oscillating between admiration and naivety. A 15-year plan sounds ambitious – what matters will be how much of it is more than just paper. YANUS will continue to follow this topic.
