The announcement last autumn that China is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060 was welcomed by campaigners around the world.

As China hosts the Convention on Biodiversity COP later this year, the world watches in hope that 2021 will be the year that this superpower puts its economic and diplomatic heft behind tackling the climate and nature crises.

Environmental diplomacy is crucial, but there are major challenges in relation to China’s human rights record, with very serious concerns over the past year about its treatment of the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and the action it is taking in Hong Kong.

At this event, we will discuss how the UK, as co-host of the Glasgow climate summit and president of the G7, should navigate these issues and approach its diplomatic relationship with China during this crucial year for climate and nature.