ThePaper.cn:

China is committed to green development. Especially after China proposed the "dual carbon" goals, we have further accelerated the transformation towards green and low-carbon development. So, what measures has the ministry made to conserve resources, reduce carbon emissions, and promote green transition in the industrial sector? What are the future considerations?

Xin Guobin:

Thank you for your questions. The industrial sector is a major energy consumer and carbon emitter in China. Over the past decade, we have firmly established and acted on the principle of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" and pursued a green, low-carbon, and circular development. We have achieved remarkable progress in the green development of the industrial sector. Here are some data I want to share with you.

In terms of energy and water consumption, the energy consumption per unit of the added value of industries above the designated size fell by 28% and 16%, respectively, during the 12th Five-Year Plan period and 13th Five-Year Plan period. On that basis, it dropped by 5.6% in 2021. The water consumption per 10,000 yuan of the value-added of industry dropped by 35% and nearly 40%, respectively, during the 12th Five-Year Plan period and 13th Five-Year Plan period. On that basis, it dropped by 7% in 2021. In terms of the comprehensive use of resources, in 2020, the comprehensive utilization rate of general industrial solid waste reached 55.4%, and China recycled 380 million tonnes of renewable resources. In terms of fostering new engines for green development, since 2012, the compound annual growth rate of the total output value of the environmental protection equipment manufacturing industry has exceeded 10%. These all demonstrate that China has made remarkable progress in this aspect. 

In pursuit of the goal of energy conservation, reducing carbon emissions, and completing a green transition in the industrial sector, our work over the past decade has mainly given priority to the following aspects. First, we have carried out green manufacturing programs. We have taken solid steps to advance the development of the system of policies and standards for green manufacturing, building a group of green factories, green industrial zones, and green supply chain management enterprises. In the meantime, we have further deepened industry-finance integration, working with relevant financial institutions to build a key project recommendation mechanism to support the transformation of industrial enterprises towards green development.

Second, we have increased the supply of green technological equipment products. We have promoted breakthroughs in technology, attached greater importance to standards, and gradually built a supply system composed of entirely green product chains that cover everything from raw materials to terminal consumer goods. Since the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), a total of over 20,000 types of green products and more than 4,000 kinds of technological equipment for energy and water conservation and comprehensive utilization of resources have been promoted.

Third, we have actively advanced the recycling of industrial resources. We have built a group of demonstration bases for comprehensive utilization of industrial resources, implemented standardized management of scrap iron and steel, waste plastics, and other renewable resource industry, and promoted the system for extended producer responsibility. We have built more than 10,000 service outlets for recycling new-energy vehicle batteries and plan to develop a recycling and utilization system for solar photovoltaic cell modules. 

Next, we will fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, launch an campaign to peak carbon emissions in the industrial sector, vigorously promote green manufacturing, and resolutely stop the blind development of energy-intensive projects with high emissions. We will keep advancing the steady development of wind and photovoltaic power and continue to encourage green consumption. By doing so, we are striving to make greater contributions to building a beautiful home with blue sky, green vegetation, and clear rivers.

Thank you.