270
Y. Wang
4.4 times.
1 With the rapid industrial growth, discharges of major pollutants have
increased substantially. In 2017, about 3.32 billion tons of industrial solid waste was
generated, an increase of 5.7 times over 1990. This pattern of economic growth at
the expense of resources, energy, and environmental quality has in fact undermined
development quality and efficiency, bringing enormous pressure to the environment.
In the process of economic development and reform and opening-up, China has
adopted the basic national policy of conserving resources and protecting the environment, implemented the sustainable development strategy, and blazed a trail for
green transformation while promoting the transformation of the economic growth
model. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has incorporated development
of an ecological civilization into the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan, established the
new concept of green development, and sped up top-down design and institutional
building in an endeavour to make historic breakthroughs in green transformation.
1. Significant results have been achieved in the improving of energy efficiency
and adjustment of the energy mix
China’s coal-dominated resource endowments fully justify why it is important to
adjust the energy mix and build a modern energy system in green transformation.
Since the 17th CPC National Congress, China has made energy consumption per
unit of GDP a mandatory indicator, incorporated it into three five-year plans in a
row, and taken solid measures to reduce energy consumption in key fields such as
industry, construction, and transportation. As a result, energy efficiency has improved
greatly, and energy consumption per unit of GDP has been on the decline, falling
by 41.5% from 2005 to 2018, or an annual average of 4.0%. Progress has been
made in the adjustment of the energy mix, with the proportion of coal in primary
energy consumption declining from 67.4% in 2012 to 59.0% in 2018. The use of
clean and low-carbon energy has picked up pace. In particular, substantive steps have
been taken to promote clean and high-efficiency coal use. Upgrading for ultra-low
emissions has been completed for coal-fired units with a total capacity of over 700
million kWh, hitting the target for 2020 ahead of schedule. All new coal-fired units
meet ultra-low emission standard, bringing China to the forefront of the world by
emission control indicators of coal-fired units. The use of clean energy has seen a
significant increase. China has the largest installed capacity of hydropower, wind
power, and solar power in the world; the share of non-fossil energy and natural
gas in total energy consumption has grown to 14.3% and 7.8%, respectively, and
the proportion of electricity in final energy consumption has increased to 25.5%. In
short, China has become a world leader in the use of non-fossil energy.
2. Great progress has been made in the adjustment of industrial structure
and development of green industries
Adjusting the industrial structure and improving industry chains are an important
measure of green transformation. Structural adjustment is estimated to contribute
1 The industrial sector consumed 675.78 million tons of standard coal equivalent in 1990 and
2,944.88 million tons in 2017.
Y. Wang
4.4 times.
1 With the rapid industrial growth, discharges of major pollutants have
increased substantially. In 2017, about 3.32 billion tons of industrial solid waste was
generated, an increase of 5.7 times over 1990. This pattern of economic growth at
the expense of resources, energy, and environmental quality has in fact undermined
development quality and efficiency, bringing enormous pressure to the environment.
In the process of economic development and reform and opening-up, China has
adopted the basic national policy of conserving resources and protecting the environment, implemented the sustainable development strategy, and blazed a trail for
green transformation while promoting the transformation of the economic growth
model. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has incorporated development
of an ecological civilization into the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan, established the
new concept of green development, and sped up top-down design and institutional
building in an endeavour to make historic breakthroughs in green transformation.
1. Significant results have been achieved in the improving of energy efficiency
and adjustment of the energy mix
China’s coal-dominated resource endowments fully justify why it is important to
adjust the energy mix and build a modern energy system in green transformation.
Since the 17th CPC National Congress, China has made energy consumption per
unit of GDP a mandatory indicator, incorporated it into three five-year plans in a
row, and taken solid measures to reduce energy consumption in key fields such as
industry, construction, and transportation. As a result, energy efficiency has improved
greatly, and energy consumption per unit of GDP has been on the decline, falling
by 41.5% from 2005 to 2018, or an annual average of 4.0%. Progress has been
made in the adjustment of the energy mix, with the proportion of coal in primary
energy consumption declining from 67.4% in 2012 to 59.0% in 2018. The use of
clean and low-carbon energy has picked up pace. In particular, substantive steps have
been taken to promote clean and high-efficiency coal use. Upgrading for ultra-low
emissions has been completed for coal-fired units with a total capacity of over 700
million kWh, hitting the target for 2020 ahead of schedule. All new coal-fired units
meet ultra-low emission standard, bringing China to the forefront of the world by
emission control indicators of coal-fired units. The use of clean energy has seen a
significant increase. China has the largest installed capacity of hydropower, wind
power, and solar power in the world; the share of non-fossil energy and natural
gas in total energy consumption has grown to 14.3% and 7.8%, respectively, and
the proportion of electricity in final energy consumption has increased to 25.5%. In
short, China has become a world leader in the use of non-fossil energy.
2. Great progress has been made in the adjustment of industrial structure
and development of green industries
Adjusting the industrial structure and improving industry chains are an important
measure of green transformation. Structural adjustment is estimated to contribute
1 The industrial sector consumed 675.78 million tons of standard coal equivalent in 1990 and
2,944.88 million tons in 2017.