BEIJING -- Multinational researchers have initiated global efforts to address issues on sustainable development, including climate change, food and energy as well as biodiversity.

More than 160 experts and scholars, from 12 countries including Finland, Russia, Norway and China, gathered in Beijing at the Second Pan-Eurasian Experiment (PEEX) Science Conference, which opened on Wednesday, to explore new approaches to sustainable development.

They discussed topics on Earth observation of Arctic and cold regions, carbon and nitrogen monitoring and biogeochemical cycles, and big Earth data and data management infrastructure, among others.

The PEEX is a multidisciplinary research program aimed at resolving major uncertainties in Earth system sciences and global sustainability related to Arctic and boreal Pan-Eurasian regions as well as China. It was started by European and Chinese research organizations and institutions.

The overall goal of the PEEX is to focus on global challenges, particularly in climate change, air quality, loss of biodiversity, food supply, energy production and fresh water.

The conference is a scientific platform to discuss further steps for PEEX Science Plan implementation and explore better approaches to global sustainable development, said Guo Huadong, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

It was organized by the CAS Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, the University of Helsinki and the Russian Institute for Scientific Research of Aerospace Monitoring.