Recently, a document related to ecological and environmental protection in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle was released. This year, Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality in southwestern China will jointly complete 32 essential tasks, including green transformation, transboundary pollution reduction, and joint ecological conservation and environmental protection.

Co-building an ecological network

According to the Chongqing Ecology and Environment Bureau, in 2021, Sichuan and Chongqing jointly formulated an ecological corridor construction plan, an environmental base research report, and a water diversion project plan for the Changzheng Canal, and a water distribution scheme for transboundary river basins.

The view of Qutang Gorge, one of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River. (iChongqing file photo)

The two places jointly conducted river patrols to rectify sewage problems and paid unannounced visits to 22 transboundary rivers to deal with water pollution.

In addition, the two places advanced joint prevention and control of air pollution, established a staggered production system for the cement industry, and encouraged the coordinated staggered production of 120 cement clinker production enterprises in the two places.

The two also implemented the co-construction of "zero-waste cities" in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. The construction of "zero-waste cities" is progressing smoothly in the nine districts, including Fuling and Wanzhou.

Advancing green transformation

"This year, Sichuan and Chongqing will work together to drive carbon emission peaking and carbon neutrality. We will catalyze the economic and society's green and low-carbon development by implementing green transformation of the industrial structure and green optimization of the energy structure," said a competent official from the Chongqing Ecology and Environment Bureau.

Chongqing and Chengdu will play a "dual-core leading role" in realizing green manufacturing in 2022. The two will carry out cleaner production audits, evaluations, and certifications to bolster the cleaner production transformation of traditional industries. 

In facilitating the green optimization of the energy structure, Sichuan and Chongqing will establish a demonstration area for clean energy and build a clean energy corridor along the river. They will strictly control the energy consumption intensity, and the total energy consumed, continue to shut down outdated coal power generation facilities, reshape the coal power structure, and transit to green and low-carbon development.

Building a solid ecological shield

To improve the quantity and quality of forests, this year, Sichuan and Chongqing will facilitate the construction of green ecological corridors of river systems with the Yangtze, Jialing, Wujiang, Minjiang, Tuojiang, and Fujiang rivers. The two places will soon launch the first round of biodiversity surveys in adjacent areas.

Moreover, the two will propel the construction of the Yabai Cypress propagation base of Daba Mountain in Chengkou County, Chongqing, the structure of the genetic resources conservation base (area) of Jinyang Silkie Chicken in Sichuan, and the establishment of a national key regional livestock and poultry gene bank in Rongchang District, Chongqing.