China has unveiled a set of groundbreaking guidelines aimed at accelerating the green transition across all areas of economic and social development. Announced by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council on Sunday, this marks the country's first systematic deployment of its green and low-carbon goals, according to Xinhua reports.
Over the past decade since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has achieved significant milestones in environmental protection and green growth. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment reports that carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP have dropped by over 35 percent compared to 2012 levels. Additionally, China's renewable energy capacity surpassed thermal generation for the first time in December last year, now accounting for more than half of its installed power generation capacity.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. The country's energy structure is still heavily reliant on coal, and the proportion of fossil fuels and traditional industries remains high. The foundation for improved ecological and environmental quality is not yet solidified.
In this context, the new state-level guidelines are considered essential to meet China's carbon emission targets and promote a green transformation of its development model. Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, emphasized the necessity of these guidelines, stating that they will drive the nation's high-quality growth.
"The guidelines have not only updated and expanded China's previous policy system of green and low-carbon development but also made comprehensive and systematic deployments to address new challenges in pursuing green growth," said Yu Xiang, director of the Climate Change Economics Research Office at the Research Institute for Eco-civilization, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He added that these documents will further promote the comprehensive green transition in all economic and social sectors.
The release of these guidelines signifies China's commitment to environmental sustainability and its proactive approach to tackling climate change. As the world's second-largest economy, China's actions in this arena are poised to have a significant impact on global efforts to achieve a greener future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
