China And Kenya Call For Reform Of Global Environmental Governance, Demanding Fairness And Equity At The UN Climate Assembly

Published on December 14, 2025

China and Kenya have called for a reform of global environmental governance at the UN Climate Assembly, demanding fairness and equity in tackling the climate crisis. Both nations stressed the urgency of addressing the interconnected issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. They called for a more inclusive system that ensures all countries, especially developing ones, are fairly represented and supported in global climate policies. This push for reform aims to create a more balanced approach to environmental challenges, promoting sustainable solutions that benefit all nations, regardless of their economic or developmental status.

This week, China and Kenya made a notable statement during the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, calling for a more “just and equitable” approach to global environmental governance. The joint appeal came during a high-profile side event titled “Improving Global Environmental Governance to Jointly Build a Clean and Beautiful World,” which was held as UNEA wrapped up its proceedings.

The significance of this call cannot be overstated, as UNEA is recognized as the world’s highest-level decision-making body for environmental matters. It gathers UN member states every two years to establish the global policy agenda for environmental action. The conference serves as a key platform for shaping the direction of global environmental governance, and this year’s event was particularly important in light of the mounting challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution—the so-called “triple planetary crisis.”

During the event, China’s Vice Minister for Ecology and Environment emphasized the urgency of addressing these interconnected global challenges, stating that the world is facing a shared future defined by these three issues. The combined impact of climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and escalating pollution threatens not only the planet’s ecosystems but also the future of humanity itself. This “triple planetary crisis,” as it has come to be known, is intensifying in scope and scale, affecting every corner of the globe, from the rising temperatures that drive extreme weather events to the loss of species that disrupt ecosystems and the pollution that threatens air, land, and water quality.

China’s representative underscored that these challenges require concerted, global efforts to address, and called for more cooperative action at the international level. While individual countries have a role to play, the response must be guided by a system of governance that is equitable and just—one that ensures that the benefits and responsibilities of climate action are shared fairly among all nations, regardless of their level of development. The call for fairness in global governance reflects the growing recognition that the environmental burdens of the world are not equally distributed. Developing nations, in particular, are often the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, despite having contributed the least to its causes. Therefore, any effective global governance system must take these disparities into account.

Reinforcing this message, the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Permanent Representative to UNEP, highlighted the need for a governance framework that aligns with the principles of equity and fairness. An important element of this framework, the ambassador noted, is the notion of “common but differentiated responsibilities.” This concept asserts that while all nations are responsible for addressing environmental challenges, the responsibilities of each country should be commensurate with its capacities and historical contributions to global environmental degradation. This approach would help ensure that developing countries are not unfairly burdened by the same climate goals that are set for more industrialized nations.

At the same time, Kenya’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions by 35% in its next Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) was also highlighted during the side event. Kenya’s NDC is a key part of the country’s climate action plan under the Paris Agreement, which requires all signatory nations to outline their efforts to limit global temperature rise. The NDC outlines the country’s targets for mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts, including steps to reduce emissions across multiple sectors, such as energy, agriculture, and waste management. Kenya’s goal is a substantial commitment that will require both domestic action and international support to achieve, underscoring the importance of global solidarity in the fight against climate change.

The announcement from Kenya was an important signal of the country’s ongoing dedication to climate action. As a developing nation, Kenya faces numerous challenges in meeting its climate goals. Still, its determination to reduce emissions and promote sustainable development models demonstrates its leadership in the global climate conversation. By setting ambitious targets, Kenya aims to inspire other countries, especially those in Africa, to follow suit and contribute to collective global efforts to address the climate crisis.

The UNEA gathering, with its focus on environmental governance, provided a platform for both China and Kenya to reaffirm their commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future. The importance of creating a governance system that is more inclusive, fair, and transparent is becoming increasingly clear. A global governance system that respects the diverse needs and capabilities of countries is essential for ensuring that all nations—regardless of their level of economic development—can participate in climate action and benefit from its outcomes. This includes access to financial resources, technology transfer, and capacity-building efforts to help countries mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts.

As the UNEA sessions concluded, the diplomatic signals sent by China and Kenya provided an important foundation for future global climate negotiations. Their call for a more just and equitable global environmental governance system will likely influence discussions and decisions at upcoming international climate meetings, including the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is set to take place in the coming months. This call represents a collective hope that the international community will come together to create a governance structure that is not only effective in addressing the urgent environmental crises of our time but also rooted in fairness and justice.

China and Kenya have urged reform in global environmental governance at the UN Climate Assembly, calling for a fairer, more equitable system to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, with a focus on supporting developing nations.

the joint statement by China and Kenya is an important step forward in shaping the future of global environmental governance. It emphasizes the need for an inclusive, equitable, and cooperative approach to tackling the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. As the world faces these interconnected crises, the call for a more just system of governance offers hope for a future in which all nations, regardless of their economic status, can contribute to building a sustainable and resilient world.