In order to comprehensively and deeply study the status of eco-civilization construction in China and, at the same time, meet the new requirements of the party and the state for eco-civilization construction from the perspective of the four aspects of green environment, green production, green living, and green governance, this paper evaluates the eco-civilization status of 337 cities at prefecture level and above. The results show that the overall level of eco-civilization development in China is not heartening. Focusing on three research areas, including the carrying capacity of resources and environment and the layout of economic and social development, the classification and utilization of solid waste, and the transformation of agricultural development modes and construction of beautiful countryside, this paper performs a thorough analysis and then puts forward corresponding strategies and tasks. This research provides countermeasures and strategic suggestions for macro decision-making in eco-civilization construction at the national level.
In order to establish development goals and identify development priorities, deepening the strategic layout for ecological civilization construction in China requires an international comparison of ecological civilization construction in China and abroad. This research establishes an indices system for the international comparison of ecological civilization construction; evaluates the Group of Twenty (G20) economies based on ecological condition, environmental quality, social development, and resources utilization; and ranks the G20 economies on an ecological civilization index 2017 and on an ecological civilization construction progress rate (1990—2015). The results show that China’s level of ecological civilization construction ranks far below those of developed economies, especially in terms of environmental quality and resources utilization. However, China's construction speed ranks first among the G20 economies. This research analyzes the task hierarchies, strategic emphases, and time nodes required for China to catch up with advanced levels of ecological civilization construction.
This article discusses the regional atmospheric environmental capacity of areas in different stages of economic development, and presents the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Jingjinji) region and the five northwestern provinces and autonomous regions in China as examples. The atmospheric environmental capacities for sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and ammonia (NH3) emissions were calculated for the various provinces with the constraint condition of the annual average ambient PM2.5 concentration standard (GB3095—2012), using a global chemical transport model from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-Chem). The results indicate that the total emissions of SO2, NOx, primary PM2.5, VOCs and NH3 emited from the Jingjinji and the five northwestern provinces and autonomous regions all exceed the environmental capacity.
Under China's goal of ecological civilization construction, research into strategies for industrial development layout within the constraints of the environmental carrying capacity has become increasingly important. Based on China's atmospheric and water carrying capacities, its water resources, and the positions of its main functional zones, this paper puts forward strategies for the layout of industrial development in China's industry, energy industry, and key regional industries under the constraints of the nation-wide environmental carrying capacity and the carrying capacities of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Jingjinji), the five northwestern provinces and autonomous regions, and other key areas. These strategies provide scientific guidance for industrial layout planning and for the achievement of a successful combination of industrial development and environmental protection.
China is a populous country and the largest producer of solid waste in the world. With limited per capita resources and much lower environmental capacity than the world average, China should even more cherish its resources and protect its environment. Solid waste is not useless; on the contrary, it is useful resources and precious wealth. The amount of China’s solid waste is continually increasing, and its improper handling wastes resources while causing problems such as environmental pollution and social instability. Therefore, due attention should be paid to ecological civilization construction in China. This paper analyzes the current situation and the development potential of solid waste resource utilization in China, and concludes that the capacity and potential benefits of classifying and resource utilization solid waste are huge. Strategic directions, strategic objectives, a development path, and policy suggestions for solid waste resource utilization in China are also proposed.
New opportunities for beautiful countryside construction have been created by a transformation of agricultural development mode. This paper systematically reviews the problems and challenges facing this process, and discusses a path decision for beautiful countryside construction that is based on the requirements of ecological civilization construction. It then examines the focus of beautiful countryside construction, which is to strengthen comprehensive planning and management in rural areas, ensure that food is absolutely safe, develop coordination between farming and animal husbandry, actively promote the integration of rural industry, and implement beautiful countryside construction projects. Finally, this paper puts forward policy suggestions to accelerate beautiful countryside construction.
In order to promote the national ecological civilization construction strategy and the Belt and Road strategy, the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences has implemented a project titled the "Study on Ecological Civilization Construction Strategies in the Tianshan Mountain Northern Slope Economic Belt" in 2014—2016. Based on the vision for the Silk Road Economic Belt as well as the regional positioning and actual development of the Tianshan Mountain Northern Slope Economic Belt, six strategies have been proposed: (1) an optimization strategy for land spatial patterns; (2) an optimal allocation and sustainable development strategy for regional resources; (3) a green development strategy for the industrial economy; (4) a priority strategy for ecological and environmental protection; (5) a reform and innovation strategy for systems and mechanisms; and (6) a westward opening strategy. The study will provide decision-making support to accelerate ecological civilization construction in Western China, promote the extension of the green Silk Road Economic Belt, and implement the 13th Five-Year Plan for development in Western China and for the Tianshan Mountain Northern Slope Economic Belt Development Plan.
The saline industry is related to food security in China and is very important for the new energy and new materials industries. The Qaidam Basin in Qinghai Province is the center of the saline industry in China. Ecological civilization construction in the saline industry is both important and urgent in this region. This paper identifies severe challenges facing the ecological civilization construction of the saline industry, based on the present situation in the Qaidam Basin. Four strategies are proposed to promote the ecological civilization construction of the saline industry and to strengthen the saline industry in Qaidam Basin.
In order to evaluate China's level of ecological civilization, a set of indicators was established according to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the goal of ecological civilization construction in China. Using the double-benchmark progressive method and taking a city as an evaluated unit, this study examines the level of ecological civilization of three typical urban agglomerations: Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Jingjinji), the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta. The results indicate that the ecological civilization level of the Pearl River Delta ranks highest (69.95) and the ecological civilization level of Jingjinji ranks lowest (59.04). Green environmental field is the shortcoming of the three urban agglomerations' EC level. The urban EC level evaluation data shows the shortcomings of the EC, and designate the direction for the EC development level.
To assess the level of provincial ecological civilization development in China, this work constructs an evaluation index system that includes four areas, 10 targets, and 25 specific indicators. Based on a comparison and improvement of existing data standardization methods, this study puts forward a double-benchmark progressive method as the standardization method, and adopts the comprehensive weighted-index method to evaluate the ecological civilization development level of China's 31 provinces (including provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities). The results indicate that the ecological civilization development level in China is low, and that the ecological civilization development level of the southeastern coastal areas is higher than those of Central and Western China. In general, gaps still exist between China’s ecological civilization development level, its expected level, and the global level. Although China has made remarkable achievements to date in terms of overall economic and social construction, it is necessary to further strengthen and pay attention to ecological environmental protection, industrial pollution control, industrial optimization, and efficient resource use.
The fundamental work in ecological civilization construction begins with the creation of an accounting and statistical system that can provide reliable data support for the purpose of monitoring, evaluation, and decision-making. Although there are data on the resources and environment of China, they cannot be effectively integrated into a unified framework due to the lack of a top-level accounting and statistical framework of ecological civilization. Considering the actual demands of ecological civilization construction, this study analyzes the problems that exist in the accounting and statistical system of ecological civilization in China and constructs a statistical indicator system and an accounting framework of ecological civilization. Further, it gives suggestions for the improvement of the accounting and statistical system of ecological civilization in China.
As the first national ecological civilization pilot zone in China, Fujian Province has made significant progress, with a series of successful experiences in ecological civilization construction. This paper summarizes achievements in economic construction, environmental management, ecological protection, and human settlements construction since 2001 in Fujian Province. The authors find that the constraints on resources and on the environment are still considerable regarding future development in Fujian Province, and that the adaption of the institutional system to ecological civilization needs improvement. The authors also find that the conflict between development and ecological protection is becoming more and more prominent in the mountainous region of Minxi and Minbei. This paper summarizes the experiences gained during the top-level design, transformation from development mode, green governance, and system construction of ecological civilization in Fujian Province. The authors suggest that the national ecological civilization system reform pilot should be demonstrated intensively in Fujian Province, forming a strong institutional system that can lead the way in ecological civilization development and demonstrate its effects. The authors also suggest that Fujian Province should focus on promoting green economic transformation, innovating a supervisory system for the ecological environment, and optimizing the pattern of homeland security for the next stage of development.
The Tianshan Mountain Northern Slope Economic Belt is the largest economic belt in China, and is undergoing a development focus as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Green development in this economic belt provides an important reference for other countries along the Belt and Road route. This study assesses the environmental performances of the Tianshan Mountain Northern Slope Economic Belt based on regional and industrial levels. Three wings of this economic belt—the south wing, middle wing, and north wing—are defined using the environmental performance assessment results. The environmental performance of the north wing (which includes the Kuytun–Karamay–Wusu economic zones) is best, followed by that of the south wing (which includes the Gulja–Korgas–Qapqel economic zones, the Urumqi–Changji economic zones, and the Turpan–Kumul economic zones). The environmental performance of the middle wing (which includes the Shihezi–Manas–Shawan economic zones and the Bortala–Jinghe–Alashankou economic zones) ranks lowest. Strategies for the green industrial development of these three wings are suggested based on the assessment results.
This study discusses the environmental carrying capacity for surface water in different main functional zones in water-deficient areas, such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Jingjinji) and the five northwestern provinces and autonomous regions in China. Main function was used as the basic principle to divide control units.This paper analyzes the pollution-bearing capacity of the main functional zones of the Ministry of Water Resources and analyzes pollutant discharge statistics from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The results show that the ammonia discharge from the priority development regions of Jingjinji and Northwest China is greater than the water environmental carrying capacity, due to emissions from urban life. Pollutant discharge, including chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia, into major agricultural product-producing areas and key protected ecological areas overloaded the capacity of the Jingjinji region, while 19%–73% of the water environmental carrying capacity remained in the five northwestern provinces and autonomous regions in China. Therefore, the environmental and industrial policies for different main functional zones depend on the type of functional zone and on the overloaded condition of the water environmental carrying capacity.
China is experiencing a serious shortage of certain mineral reserves, and several important mineral resources are increasingly supplied via foreign imports. This paper proposes urban mining as a promising means of conserving resources and facilitating sustainable economic growth. The author summarizes the origin and meaning of urban mining, and analyzes the development of the ten main types of urban mining in China from 2006 to 2016, which include: scrap iron and steel, scrap non-ferrous metals, electronic waste, and end-of-life vehicles. Next, the author predicts the resource development and utilization potential of urban mining, and evaluates the contribution of urban mining to resource conservation, environmental protection, carbon emissions reduction, and economic development. Based on these analyses, the author presents strategic and policy suggestions to promote urban mining development in China.
This paper examines the problems inherent in the classification and utilization of rural waste in China. It starts by expounding the generation, hazards, and recycling significance of rural waste. Next, it deeply analyzes the issues that challenge the resource utilization of rural waste by evaluating the generation quantity, regional distribution characteristics, and resource-utilization situation of rural waste in China. A reasonable design for a development path and phased targets is then provided, based on the current goal of beautiful countryside construction and on the development trend of the resource utilization of rural waste. Finally supporting measures and policy suggestions are proposed for future resource development and utilization of rural waste.
This paper discusses the outstanding problem of the large quantity of industrial solid waste in China and its insufficient comprehensive utilization. Scientific laws regarding resource development, industrial activity, and industrial solid waste production are analyzed, along with the development trends and future utilization potential of industrial solid waste. In view of major issues related to industrial solid waste management patterns, legal system construction, economic adjustment measures, and the technical and industrial market, in addition to the overall requirements of environmental protection and resource recycling for ecological civilization construction in China, this study suggests that the resource-utilization strategy for industrial solid waste should be performed as an important part of China's resource and environmental strategy. The study also puts forward a development roadmap with stage objectives and major future tasks.
Traditional urban construction and operations often produce large amounts of waste. If not handled properly, such waste exerts a negative impact on the environment, resources, and society. The construction of a "no waste society" can achieve win-win situation for energy, environment, economic and society altogether. A "no-waste society" is not only an important symbol but also an inevitable goal of social progress. The construction of the Xiong’an New Area is a national event which would bring long-term interests for generations to come. The authors of this paper propose that we should take the lead in building a model for the planning and development of Xiong’an New Area under the concept of "no waste", so as to lay the foundation for the overall construction of "no-waste society". As it analyzes the significance of building a "no-waste Xiong'an New Area," this paper puts forward construction ideas for optimizing the layout of energy and industry, constructing a system of solid waste classification and resource utilization, and establishing a social management system. It also makes a few strategic suggestions regarding the construction of a "no-waste Xiong'an New Area."
The large amount of solid waste in China, if not properly handled, will cause serious environmental problems, lead to a waste of resources, and bring about adverse effects on society. Solid waste is a misplaced resource; thus, reducing or resource utilization solid waste to build a "no-waste society" will yield significant environmental, social, and economic benefits. Based on an analysis of significant existing problems hindering the construction of a "no-waste society" in China, along with feasibility studies, this paper suggests that it is necessary to promote the resource utilization of solid waste by piloting "no-waste city," from which to build a "no-waste society." Other strategic suggestions such as strengthening the top-level design, consolidating a foundation, defining stage objectives, and increasing policy support are also proposed in this paper.
This paper examines the total inputs and regional characteristics of chemical input in China since the 1990s, analyzes existing problems of chemical input, and puts forward a general transformation idea, transformation path, and security system for chemicals. Certain phenomena that result in obvious problems for this industry include the excessive use and a low utilization rate of chemicals, regional imbalances in chemicals input, imbalanced crops, and irrational crop structure within the planting industry. In addition, input methods need improvement. It is essential to transform the production mode by optimizing regional layouts, reforming planting systems, developing new chemicals, and adopting precision agricultural technologies. It is also necessary to strengthen support for and promote the green and sustainable development of farming based on scientific and technological innovation, integrated demonstrations, subsidy systems, standard specifications, and industry/university/research institute collaborations.
This paper summarizes the development of utilization models for the return of livestock and poultry manure to farmland in China. It analyzes the problems affecting the industrial development of the utilization of livestock and poultry manure recycling, and discusses development strategies for the next step in this process. In past years, important progress has been achieved in exploring utilization models for returning livestock and poultry manure to farmland, and in identifying suitable parameters for the farmland carrying capacity of livestock, both at home and abroad. However, problems remain such as unbalanced nutrients after combining planting and livestock systems, large nutrient losses, and a lack of reasonable principles for manure application on farmland. In the next step, studies should be based on the concept of the environmentally friendly return of manure to farmland and should introduce the concept of nutrient management after combining planting and livestock systems. Techniques should be carried out for the collection, storage, and processing of manure; for its return to farmland; for reasonable manure applications; for balancing nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients in order to reduce non-point source pollution; and for other aspects. In addition, policies about the efficient recycling of livestock and poultry manure should be promoted.
The efficient use of land is an important concept in ecological civilization construction. Given the objective reality that China's urbanization level is increasing, this paper deeply analyzes the causes behind the increase in the total amount of land being used for construction in villages and the decrease in the efficiency of land being used for construction in villages. The results show that inefficiency of land being used for construction in villages is due to a lack of reasonable planning and guidance regarding the number of villages, homesteads, and collective lands being used for construction. It is therefore proposed that the following strategies be carried out for village land planning: guidance for the development of villages based on different categories; reductions in the total amount of land being used for construction; intensive land usage; optimization of the reserves of land being used for construction; adoption of measures to local conditions, and control of the increasing amount of land being used for construction. This paper uses practical examples to explain the methodology of planning strategies. Finally, it puts forward an institutional guarantee of land planning in village construction. Improving the planning strategy and institutional guarantee can increase the efficiency of land use for construction, thereby promoting ecological civilization construction.
This Issue
Aug 2017, Volume 19 Issue 4