10th Low-Carbon Day witnesses China's green footprints

©CFP

China introduced the National Low-carbon Day in 2013, aiming to promote awareness about climate change and low-carbon development policies, encourage public participation and facilitate the country's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the State Council. China has pledged to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. It vows to tackle climate change and unswerving follow the path of green and low-carbon development.

This year marks the country's 10th National Low-carbon Day. With unremitting endeavors for nearly 10 years, China is well on track to achieve the low-carbon goals with a fresh move to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the world's second-largest economy. Between 2000 and 2017, China contributed about 25 percent of global vegetation growth, the biggest share among all countries. Between 2016 and 2020, the country restored 1,200 km of its coastline and 23,000 hectares of seaside wetlands. According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in 2021, the surface water with the worst pollution level below Grade V was further lowered to 1.2 percent, 6.7 million hectares of land were afforested, and 62,000 square-km eroded lands was treated nationwide.

©CFP

Besides, low-carbon lifestyles are an emerging trend among young Chinese, according to recent surveys. As reported by China Daily, a survey conducted by Xiaomei, a campus media association with more than 60 member colleges nationwide, showed that about 95 percent of college students are willing to participate in environmental protection activities, while 81 percent said they would reduce unnecessary consumption to promote a low-carbon lifestyle. It said that not wasting food, limiting energy consumption, and opting to use public transportation rather than cars are the top three choices among young Chinese.