China's green transformation: a model for global development

The determined path to green, low-carbon development offers insights for the world.

China's commitment to a comprehensive green transformation is accelerating, setting a benchmark for sustainable development globally.

The CPC leadership attached greater significance to deepening the ecological reform with the focus on building a "beautiful China" at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in July.

"We must work to improve ecological conservation systems and make concerted efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, pursue green development and boost economic growth," said the resolution released after the meeting.

In August, the central authorities made systematic arrangements for a comprehensive green transformation for the first time. The main goals of these arrangements include fostering a 15-trillion-yuan energy-saving and environmental protection industry by 2030, raising non-fossil energy consumption to about 25% of the total national energy consumption, and utilizing 4.5 billion tons of major solid waste annually.

To understand the grand green shift of the world’s second largest economy, the following facts and figures may offer some help. (The materials come from China Economic Roundtable, a talk show of Xinhua News Agency, broadcast on Friday.)

Green Progress

Over the past decade, significant improvements have been made in China’s ecological environment. As the world's largest developing country, China has managed to protect its ecosystem while rapidly advancing economically and socially.

China has secured an average annual economic growth of over 6% with an average annual increase in energy consumption of 3%. The energy consumption per unit of GDP has decreased by 26.8%. At the same time, the installed capacity of renewable energy has exceeded that of thermal power, and the scale of renewable energy development and utilization remains the world's largest.

China is one of the fastest countries in the world to reduce energy intensity, said Tian Chunxiu, deputy head of the policy research center under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

China has also made substantial strides in forest conservation, achieving a forest coverage rate of 24.02%. The country has become a global leader in reforestation, managing to establish over 30% of its land area as ecological protection zones.

From 2015 to 2023, the average concentration of PM2.5 in major cities decreased from 46 micrograms per cubic meter to 30 micrograms per cubic meter, showcasing a successful reduction in air pollution. Additionally, the proportion of surface water classified as good quality reached 89.4%, with major rivers such as the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers maintaining high water quality standards for several consecutive years.

China has fully implemented its river and lake chief system, establishing health records for over 9,800 rivers and lakes, said Li Qun, an official of the Ministry of Water Resources.

Renewable Energy Development Leader

China's renewable energy sector has flourished due to robust market competition and supportive policies. The country has emerged as a global leader in wind and solar energy, with installed capacity exceeding 1.206 billion kilowatts by mid-2023—six years ahead of its target. Wind and solar power now constitute the majority of new electricity generation capacity in China.

Since 2020, China has consistently added more than 100 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity annually, establishing itself as a cornerstone of global energy transformation. This boom in renewable energy not only facilitates China’s domestic green goals but also provides high-quality equipment and solutions to countries worldwide seeking to transition to clean energy.

China's new energy industry was born and thrived in an open market, said Pan Huimin, a National Energy Administration official.

China's new energy industry has closely followed the path of technological innovation, meeting the evolving and upgrading domestic and international market demands through the accelerated iteration of technology products.

Thanks to a complete new energy industry chain system from raw material supply to equipment manufacturing and then subsequent services, China is able to support the sustained and rapid growth of the new energy sector.

Global Green Transformation Advocate

With a massive population and a growing economy, China is leveraging its carbon peak and neutrality goals to drive a nationwide green and low-carbon transition.

In 2023 alone, the renewable energy power generation in China resulted in approximately 2.45 billion tons of reduced carbon emissions, with exported wind and solar products contributing an additional 800 million tons.

Collectively, China’s new energy power generation and wind and solar exports contributed a a significant reduction of 3.25 billion tons of carbon emissions globally, said Pan Huimin, a National Energy Administration official.

China has become the largest market for clean energy equipment and has actively integrated into the global clean energy supply chain. The success of its green development offers valuable lessons, particularly for countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, as they navigate their own energy transitions.

Over the last 10 years, the respective costs of Chinese wind power and photovoltaic power equipment have dropped by 60% and 80%, lowering the development and construction costs of global clean energy projects significantly.

The country has set the ambitious targets of peaking its carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. 

These goals have spurred enormous demand for traditional industry upgrades and green consumption, leading China to become the world's largest green market. The country is now the largest green credit market and second-largest green bond market globally.

Addressing Challenges Head-On

Despite notable advancements, China faces considerable challenges in its quest for a sustainable future. The nation grapples with imbalances in development, underdeveloped technological innovation capabilities, and stringent resource constraints. Unlike developed countries that have largely resolved environmental issues, China must simultaneously tackle significant pollution reduction and achieve its carbon peak and neutrality targets.

Coal remains a crucial part of China’s energy strategy, often described as the "ballast" that stabilizes energy security. The nation’s industrial structure continues to rely heavily on high-energy-consuming and high-emission sectors. Local governments sometimes pursue unsustainable development models, further complicating the transition.

Moreover, market mechanisms to promote green development are still maturing. There is a pressing need for more robust policies to stimulate market vitality and enhance the role of market funding in supporting green initiatives. The carbon emissions statistical system in China also requires further refinement to ensure effective monitoring and trading.

Looking ahead, China’s green transformation necessitates deeper ecological reforms and a renewed commitment to developing a sustainable economy.

This involves not only breaking down institutional barriers that hinder high-level environmental protection but also fostering high-quality development through green production practices, said Tian Chunxiu, deputy head of the policy research center under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The upcoming period will demand more decisive actions to transition towards a circular, low-carbon economy. By enhancing the synergy between ecological conservation and economic growth, China can continue to lead in global efforts against climate change.

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