Environmental Conservation and Green Transition in China's 14th Five-Year Plan
An exploration of the conservation efforts and green transition highlighted in China's 14th Five-Year Plan, detailing the nation's strategic approach to sustainability and environmental protection initiatives. The article provides insights into the goals and measures outlined in the plan, emphasizing China's commitment to a greener future.
TroibNews 
China's green transition has demonstrated significant progress over the past four years, inspired by its ambitious "dual carbon" targets. Sectors such as green energy, sustainable infrastructure, and low-carbon lifestyles are witnessing substantial investment opportunities.
By 2024, cities at or above the prefecture level achieved a ratio of 87.2 percent of days with good air quality, falling slightly short of the 87.5 percent target. While these improvements are commendable, ongoing efforts are essential to fully meet the goal.
In terms of water management, 90.4 percent of China's surface water met or exceeded grade III quality by 2024, exceeding the 85 percent target and indicating effective environmental management strategies.
Forest coverage reached 25 percent in 2024, surpassing the set target and highlighting considerable advancements in ecological restoration and carbon sequestration efforts.
China has also made remarkable strides in clean energy, particularly evidenced by developments in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, showcasing significant achievements in this area. As reported by the National Energy Administration, by the end of November, the total installed capacity of wind power in the country reached 490 million kilowatts, marking a year-on-year increase of 19.2 percent. Meanwhile, solar power capacity surged by 46.7 percent to nearly 820 million kilowatts.
Since 2013, the installed capacity of wind power has increased sixfold, while solar power has seen a rise of over 180 times.
Yunnan Province is another area making progress in the green transition, with more than 90 percent of its installed power capacity now derived from clean energy sources such as hydropower, solar, and wind. Since 2007, the number of plant and bird species around the previously polluted Dianchi Lake in Kunming has risen to 303 and 175, respectively, while the number of fish species in the lake has reached 26.
The acceleration of green finance development is also noteworthy. In 2023, the Agricultural Development Bank of China, which serves as the country's rural policy bank, boosted its financial support for green initiatives, including renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, aiding environmental sustainability in rural regions.
Hydrogen energy development has also seen significant progress. In 2024, new policies were put in place to bolster the hydrogen sector, furthering China’s ambitions to transition to a low-carbon economy.
### Plans for 2025
The green transition is expected to continue providing growth potential and business opportunities. Moving forward, China will prioritize reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency as critical components of its green transition strategy.
Stricter regulations and incentives aimed at promoting energy-saving technologies will be central to these efforts.
China's "dual carbon" objectives remain at the forefront, focusing on peaking emissions before 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060. By 2025, increased adoption of electric vehicles is anticipated, facilitated by expanded infrastructure and governmental strategies designed to boost their market presence.
Future initiatives will also emphasize the development of eco-friendly industrial parks and reducing carbon footprints in urban areas, alongside promoting green technologies within construction and infrastructure sectors.
With an ongoing commitment to carbon reduction and energy efficiency, China's green transition strategy aims to prioritize ecological sustainability in the long term.
Additionally, in recent years, China has trained over 3,000 officials and technical personnel from more than 120 developing countries on ecological and environmental protection efforts, as well as climate change mitigation, positioning itself as a leader in South-South cooperation.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
By 2024, cities at or above the prefecture level achieved a ratio of 87.2 percent of days with good air quality, falling slightly short of the 87.5 percent target. While these improvements are commendable, ongoing efforts are essential to fully meet the goal.
In terms of water management, 90.4 percent of China's surface water met or exceeded grade III quality by 2024, exceeding the 85 percent target and indicating effective environmental management strategies.
Forest coverage reached 25 percent in 2024, surpassing the set target and highlighting considerable advancements in ecological restoration and carbon sequestration efforts.
China has also made remarkable strides in clean energy, particularly evidenced by developments in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, showcasing significant achievements in this area. As reported by the National Energy Administration, by the end of November, the total installed capacity of wind power in the country reached 490 million kilowatts, marking a year-on-year increase of 19.2 percent. Meanwhile, solar power capacity surged by 46.7 percent to nearly 820 million kilowatts.
Since 2013, the installed capacity of wind power has increased sixfold, while solar power has seen a rise of over 180 times.
Yunnan Province is another area making progress in the green transition, with more than 90 percent of its installed power capacity now derived from clean energy sources such as hydropower, solar, and wind. Since 2007, the number of plant and bird species around the previously polluted Dianchi Lake in Kunming has risen to 303 and 175, respectively, while the number of fish species in the lake has reached 26.
The acceleration of green finance development is also noteworthy. In 2023, the Agricultural Development Bank of China, which serves as the country's rural policy bank, boosted its financial support for green initiatives, including renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, aiding environmental sustainability in rural regions.
Hydrogen energy development has also seen significant progress. In 2024, new policies were put in place to bolster the hydrogen sector, furthering China’s ambitions to transition to a low-carbon economy.
### Plans for 2025
The green transition is expected to continue providing growth potential and business opportunities. Moving forward, China will prioritize reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency as critical components of its green transition strategy.
Stricter regulations and incentives aimed at promoting energy-saving technologies will be central to these efforts.
China's "dual carbon" objectives remain at the forefront, focusing on peaking emissions before 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060. By 2025, increased adoption of electric vehicles is anticipated, facilitated by expanded infrastructure and governmental strategies designed to boost their market presence.
Future initiatives will also emphasize the development of eco-friendly industrial parks and reducing carbon footprints in urban areas, alongside promoting green technologies within construction and infrastructure sectors.
With an ongoing commitment to carbon reduction and energy efficiency, China's green transition strategy aims to prioritize ecological sustainability in the long term.
Additionally, in recent years, China has trained over 3,000 officials and technical personnel from more than 120 developing countries on ecological and environmental protection efforts, as well as climate change mitigation, positioning itself as a leader in South-South cooperation.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
