Bertrand Lortholary, French ambassador to China, (center), congratulates the winners of the youth painters at the launch ceremony in Beijing on September 14, 2026. Photo: Dong Feng/GT

The Embassy of the French Republic in China launched the 2026 Franco-Chinese Month of the Environment (MFCE) at the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau in Beijing on Monday. Diplomats, a Chinese official in the industrial sector and an image ambassador for the campaign urged more action be taken to raise awareness and protect our shared home - Earth. 

This year, the campaign is themed "A Planet Full of Life," paying tribute to the magnificent diversity of the Earth's biosphere while reminding humanity to focus on the threats it faces and the resulting challenges. 

Bertrand Lortholary, French ambassador to China, noted in his speech that this is the 13th MFCE since its inception in 2014, and a highlight of the cooperation between France and China in the environmental sector - an area where both of the countries are fully mobilized and have continuously strengthened their commitment since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change. 

France and China have a leading role to play in protecting global public goods and providing sustainable solutions to climate and environmental challenges, building upon the ambitious declarations adopted by both countries - notably during President Macron's state visit to China in December 2025, said Ambassador Lortholary.

This year, around 200 events are taking place across some 30 cities: exhibitions, symposiums, science cafés, book clubs, an artist residency, the inauguration of an eco-museum, and more. All in all, it is a rich program, Lortholary introduced. 

This year's theme, "A Planet Full of Life," strikes an optimistic note despite the concerns raised by the extreme weather events in recent months, said the French diplomat. 

August was the hottest month ever recorded globally, the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service said Thursday.

The global average surface air temperature reached 16.96 C, slightly above the previous record of about 16.95 C set in July 2023. It was 0.85 degrees above the 1991-2020 average for August and 1.65 degrees above the estimated 1850-1900 pre-industrial level.

"It encourages us not to give in to discouragement, but rather to keep thinking, innovating, and taking action. While the theme leans towards biodiversity, it is not exclusive; I would like to emphasize that all environmental topics have a place in the MFCE," stressed Lortholary. 

Florent Aydalot, minister-counselor for culture, education and science at the French embassy in China, told the Global Times that during the MFCE, activities will be held across China for audiences of all ages and all walks of life, including youth painting competitions and expert lectures. 

France and China have continuously strengthened their cooperation. In May, the two countries established a working group dedicated to addressing climate and environmental challenges; meanwhile, the France-China Carbon Neutrality Center (CNC) has continued to play an active role.

The CNC has been focusing on fostering the development of innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change.

Minister-counselor Aydalot highlighted that some exhibitions could turn out to be fairly interesting to visitors, for instance, the China-France cooperation project, featuring the China-France carbon neutrality center, as well as the wisdom of wild animals that dealing with the extreme weather. 

"These will underscore the significance of bilateral collaboration in environmental protection," said Aydalot. 

Aydalot added that the 13-year initiative raises environmental awareness and unites efforts to protect the planet through bilateral cooperation and public participation. 

Launched in 2014 and led by the French Embassy in China, the MFCE is the only interdisciplinary event focused on environmental issues in China by a foreign embassy. It has played a significant role in raising public environmental awareness and deepening Chinese-French environmental cooperation. 

The campaign serves not only as a vehicle for cultural activities but also as a public-facing extension and practical application of the broader environmental cooperation between France and China.