China plays an increasingly central role in efforts towards global sustainability. China’s position needs to be understood in relation to the importance of sustainable development to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and indeed Xi Jinping’s rule. At the core of such efforts is the idea of Ecological Civilization. The importance and potential implications of Ecological Civilization remain poorly understood outside China and China studies.

This seminar aims to contribute towards broader knowledge on this crucial topic. It seeks to unpack ecological civilization and understand what the concept means in practice. To help us do so, we are pleased to welcome some of Norway’s leading experts on ecological civilization and Chinese environmental politics.

 

Panel

Bjorn Leif Brauteseth, PhD candidate, Centre for Development and the Environment, University of Oslo  – “Identifying the tensions between Chinese Communist Party Ideology and Organization in building Ecological Civilization”

Gørild Heggelund, Research Professor, Fridtjof Nansen Institute – “Ecological civilization and Chinese environmental and climate politics”

Yong Zhou, Postdoctoral Fellow – Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo – “Ecological Civilisation and New Challenges of Hydropower Sustainability”