Dawei Zhang has published a paper on China’s three-dimensional monitoring system that covers air, water, terrestrial and marine environments. This outlook first reviews the achievements of China’s eco-environmental monitoring network and ongoing technological advancements, then discusses the implications of China’s experience for global environmental governance, and finally offers conclusions and recommendations for international collaboration.

The paper says that, against the backdrop of interlinked ecological crises and sustainable development goals, China’s construction of the world’s largest eco-environment monitoring network offers broad insights for the global community. A systematic, digitally advanced and integrated approach to monitoring can substantially enhance environmental protection, effective climate action and sustainable development outcomes. It proposes:

– strengthening existing international mechanisms;
– global environmental monitoring partnership;
– advancing integrated design and standardisation; and
– enhancing systemic perspectives and forward-looking strategies.

The paper concludes that China welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the international community and to share lessons learned in building its eco-environmental monitoring network.