On 10 May 2022, the Chinese government published a Notice requiring relevant public authorities (provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities) to implement the 2035 National Adaptation Strategy on Climate Change. The Strategy was prepared and jointly issued by 17 departments, including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. This Strategy updates a previously issued 2013 National Adaptation Strategy on Climate Change.
The 2035 Adaptation Strategy sets out high-level principles and objectives. For example, by 2035, China aims for its climate change monitoring and early warning capabilities to reach an advanced level internationally, for its risk management and prevention systems to be mature and the risk of major climate-disasters to be effectively prevented and controlled.
According to a June press release from the Government, compared with the 2013 Strategy, the 2035 Strategy has four main characteristics: (1) a stronger emphasis on monitoring, early warning, risk management and disaster prevention systems; (2) clarify adaptation priorities in key areas like water resources, agriculture and food security, health etc.; (3) construct a multi-level regional approach for adaptation; and focus more on building departmental coordination, financial support, scientific and technological support, capacity-building, international cooperation and other measures.
