Towards Green Development: From an Option to an Objective
341
of circular economy in Japan and Germany as the benchmark reference line, the
National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Environmental
Protection conducted centralized pilot projects in the form of “circular industrial
parks,” In 2008, the State Council promulgated the Circular Economy Promotion
Law, with a view to promoting the development of a circular economy from micro-,
meso- and macro- dimensions. The 12th Five-Year Plan proposed that by 2015, the
national industrial system shall achieve a comprehensive solid waste utilization rate
of 72%, while more than 50% of national parks and more than 30% of provincial
parks shall implement the main goal of recycling transformation. The 13th FiveYear Plan stipulated to establish a more detailed evaluation framework for circular
economy and refine the circular economy evaluation indicators. In 2009, at the United
Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, then-Premier Wen
Jiabao pledged to the world the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The
low-carbon economy with the basic goal of reducing carbon emissions has gradually
become another important means for China to transform to the green development
of economy.
Another way to promote the eco-friendly industries lies in the eco-friendly restructuring of industries. The 2008 financial crisis reshuffled the economic sectors and
brought green economy to the attention of many countries. The industrial restructuring triggered by the financial crisis has accelerated the innovation of clean energy
and clean production technology, and thereby opening up new areas of growth. Countries all over the world began to develop new energy and other strategic emerging
industries to underpin a new round of economic growth. China designated seven
strategic emerging industries, namely energy conservation and environmental protection, a new generation of information technology, biology, new energy, new energy
vehicles, high-end equipment manufacturing, and new materials, as well as 23 key
areas. Eco-friendliness is the common direction for the development of these industries and areas. In 2012, the report to the 18th CPC National Congress specified
“green, circular and low-carbon development” as an important aspect of ecological progress. In 2015, the State Council issued the Opinions on Accelerating the
Ecological Progress, positioning green development alongside new industrialization,
IT application, urbanization, and agricultural modernization, as a major direction for
economic and social development, while clarifying the industrial carrier of green
development. The report to the 19th CPC National Congress emphasized to promote
green development and establish a sound economic system for green, low-carbon
and circular development. This is not only a continuation of China’s exploration for
the transformation of economic growth model, but also an important foothold for
adhering to green development and building a beautiful China in the new era.
2. Start by realizing the value of ecological goods and explore the mechanisms
and paths to transform lucid waters and lush mountains into invaluable
assets
To promote the industrialized ecology means managing eco-environmental resources
as a special capital based on theories on ecological services and public products, in
341
of circular economy in Japan and Germany as the benchmark reference line, the
National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Environmental
Protection conducted centralized pilot projects in the form of “circular industrial
parks,” In 2008, the State Council promulgated the Circular Economy Promotion
Law, with a view to promoting the development of a circular economy from micro-,
meso- and macro- dimensions. The 12th Five-Year Plan proposed that by 2015, the
national industrial system shall achieve a comprehensive solid waste utilization rate
of 72%, while more than 50% of national parks and more than 30% of provincial
parks shall implement the main goal of recycling transformation. The 13th FiveYear Plan stipulated to establish a more detailed evaluation framework for circular
economy and refine the circular economy evaluation indicators. In 2009, at the United
Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, then-Premier Wen
Jiabao pledged to the world the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The
low-carbon economy with the basic goal of reducing carbon emissions has gradually
become another important means for China to transform to the green development
of economy.
Another way to promote the eco-friendly industries lies in the eco-friendly restructuring of industries. The 2008 financial crisis reshuffled the economic sectors and
brought green economy to the attention of many countries. The industrial restructuring triggered by the financial crisis has accelerated the innovation of clean energy
and clean production technology, and thereby opening up new areas of growth. Countries all over the world began to develop new energy and other strategic emerging
industries to underpin a new round of economic growth. China designated seven
strategic emerging industries, namely energy conservation and environmental protection, a new generation of information technology, biology, new energy, new energy
vehicles, high-end equipment manufacturing, and new materials, as well as 23 key
areas. Eco-friendliness is the common direction for the development of these industries and areas. In 2012, the report to the 18th CPC National Congress specified
“green, circular and low-carbon development” as an important aspect of ecological progress. In 2015, the State Council issued the Opinions on Accelerating the
Ecological Progress, positioning green development alongside new industrialization,
IT application, urbanization, and agricultural modernization, as a major direction for
economic and social development, while clarifying the industrial carrier of green
development. The report to the 19th CPC National Congress emphasized to promote
green development and establish a sound economic system for green, low-carbon
and circular development. This is not only a continuation of China’s exploration for
the transformation of economic growth model, but also an important foothold for
adhering to green development and building a beautiful China in the new era.
2. Start by realizing the value of ecological goods and explore the mechanisms
and paths to transform lucid waters and lush mountains into invaluable
assets
To promote the industrialized ecology means managing eco-environmental resources
as a special capital based on theories on ecological services and public products, in