The impact of China's Ecological Civilization Proposal on the agri-food system

an analysis of the COFCO International experience

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22456/2178-8839.144268

Keywords:

China, Ecological Civilization, COFCO International

Abstract

China, through its Ecological Civilization proposal, incorporated into the Constitution of the Communist Party of China in 2012, initiated the implementation of administrative reforms to address environmental impacts. This approach adopts a multidimensional perspective, encompassing social, political, economic, and cultural dimensions. This article seeks to investigate how the concept of Ecological Civilization is integrated into China’s policies for the agri-food sector, using the case study of COFCO International’s sustainability policy – one of the leading state-owned enterprises in the sector on the international stage. Based on the analysis categories employed, the results indicate a prevalence of policies focused on the evaluation of public employees and an insufficiency of fiscal policies in the case of COFCO. The research is qualitative in nature and employs document analysis of the company’s Sustainability Reports.

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Author Biographies

Laura Schneider de Lima, Pontificia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC MG)

Master’s student in International Relations at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC-MG). Scholarship holder from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). General Coordinator of the South Atlantic Study Group at PUC Minas. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Vale do Itajaí (2022), recipient of the Student Merit Award for academic achievement. Graduated from the Federal Institute of Santa Catarina, Camboriú Campus (2017). Research interests include International Politics, Politics and Culture, Political Economy, and Latin American Studies.

Marina Paula Oliveira, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC MG)

Substitute Professor in the International Relations undergraduate program at PUC-Minas. PhD candidate and Master in International Relations at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (2022). Holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations (PUC-MG). Works as an Advisor to the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE). Has experience in community engagement with those affected by the collapse of Vale's dam in Brumadinho. Gained international internship experience at the International Relations Office of the University of Porto (Portugal) in 2017 and at UNESCO/Committee for the Information for All Program (Moscow/Russia) in 2016. Her experience and interests lie in the fields of Intercultural Competencies for conflict mediation, Anthropology, Sociology with an emphasis on Environmental Sustainability, social mobilization, social vulnerability, gender equity, social memory, territorial development, and social project management. She is a defender of human and environmental rights and has participated in international conferences in various countries, including Russia, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, France, England, Chile, and Mexico.

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Published

2025-07-12

How to Cite

Schneider de Lima, L., & Oliveira, M. P. (2025). The impact of China’s Ecological Civilization Proposal on the agri-food system: an analysis of the COFCO International experience. Conjuntura Austral, 16(74), 87–101. https://doi.org/10.22456/2178-8839.144268

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 74 (2025)

Section

RESEARCH

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Copyright (c) 2025 Laura Schneider, Marina Oliveira

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Received 2024-11-28
Accepted 2025-06-03
Published 2025-07-12

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