The “Opinions on Accelerating the Comprehensive Green Transformation of Economic and Social Development” (the Opinions) were released by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on August 11. This marks the first time the central government has systematically arranged efforts to accelerate the country’s green transformation.

The opinions outline that by 2030, the scale of China’s energy-saving and environmental protection industry must reach 1.5 billion yuan, and the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption must increase to approximately 25%.

The main objectives of the Opinions include:

By 2030,

1. Significant progress will be made in the green transformation of key industrial sectors;
2. Green production methods and lifestyles will be broadly established.
3. The coordinated capacity for pollution and carbon reduction will be significantly enhanced;
4. Efficiency in the utilization of major resources will be further improved;
5. The policy and standard systems supporting green development will be strengthened;
6. Remarkable results will be achieved in the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.

By 2035,

1. A green, low-carbon, circular economy will be well established;
2. Green production methods and lifestyles will be widely adopted;
3. Significant progress will be made in pollution reduction and carbon emission reductions;
4. Resource utilization efficiency will reach international advanced levels;
5. Economic and social development will fully transition to a green and low-carbon trajectory;
6. Carbon emissions will stabilize and begin to decline after peaking;
7. The goal of Beautiful China will be basically achieved.

The opinions emphasize that the green transformation should focus on four key principles:

Comprehensive, Coordinated, Innovative, and Safe.