Peking University, December 14, 2023: The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was hosted by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai from November 30th to December 12th. Professor Yu Kongjian, dean of the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Peking University (PKU), who has been an early advocate and promoter of “Nature-based Solutions” (NbS), was invited to two high-level conferences to present China’s experiences in practicing NbS and the key role of landscape architecture in mitigating and adapting to climate change. 

At 3 p.m. on December 9, Yu delivered a lecture at the high-level conference titled “Harnessing Nature's Power. Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Nature as Infrastructure”.


In his lecture, Yu raised a discussion on the expansion of funding for the preservation of nature and biodiversity with panelists Charles Karangwa, global head of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) NbS Management hub, Sandeep Sengupta, global coordinator for Climate Change at IUCN, and Torey Carter-Conneen, chief executive officer of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). 


The participants spoke highly of the progress on green infrastructure made by Yu’s team at PKU. During the conference, IUCN announced that they would actively promote the establishment of an international center for NbS based on the signing of a memorandum of understanding with PKU. They aimed to conduct more research related to NbS in collaboration, mentor young students, and promote the work of nature protection and sustainable development worldwide.

At the high-level meeting co-hosted by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the International Development Finance Club (IDFC), titled “Accelerating Finance for Nature-based Solutions: Unlocking Opportunities for Sustainable Development” at 6:30 p.m. on December 9, Yu gave a keynote speech on launching initiatives that might accelerate financing for NbS, introducing the unique advantages and experiences of NbS application in China. He focused on the practical aspects of the NbS reformation.

The concepts advocated by Prof. Yu such as climate adaptation based on nature, national ecological security pattern, and sponge city, have been implemented in over 200 cities in China, all of which propagated China’s experience in supporting NvS. As a result, he was awarded the John Cobb Common Good Award. He is also a winner of Cooper Hewitt 2023 National Design Awards for Landscape Architecture and the 2023 Cornelia Hahn Oberlander International Landscape Architecture Prize.

Written by: Chen Li Tsai
Edited by: Fan Xueyuan
Source: College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture