Suzhou's green development gains UN support

The United Nations Development Programme launched an innovation demonstration project in Suzhou New District on April 9, aiming to help the district promote green industry and realize sustainable development goals.

The project will be co-developed by UNDP, SND, and the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges of the Ministry of Commerce.

The project will follow the development pattern of innovation, coordination, eco-friendliness, openness, and sharing so as to foster the research and transformation of advanced green and low-carbon technology, the development of green technology innovation demonstration projects, the goal of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, and SND's leading role in sustainable development.

UNDP's lab for green innovation was also established at the event. It is the first of its kind set up by UNDP in China to support regional sustainable development.

Beate Trankmann, the resident representative of the UNDP in China, said that UNDP will work closely with Suzhou to support the city's transformation to low-carbon, high-quality and sustainable development.

Chen Chunming, deputy secretary-general of the Suzhou government, said that he hoped the city would accelerate the structural adjustments of industry, energy, transportation, and land use.

Yu Meihua, vice-mayor of SND, said that she is looking forward to seeing the integration of green technology and industry, so as to realize more coordinated development in upper and lower-stream industries such as intelligent manufacturing, new energy, energy conservation, green materials, massive health, and green city construction.

In January this year, SND was ranked as a national green garden area and a national green industry demonstration base.