Guizhou perseveres in ecological civilization construction

Guizhou's forest coverage rate hits 62.12 percent. [Photo/ddcpc website]

Southwest China's Guizhou province recently received national policy support in constructing an ecological civilization.

Guizhou's forest coverage rate is currently at 62.12 percent and the green economy accounts for 45 percent of GDP. Its excellent environment has become Guizhou's biggest development strength.

To continue with ecological construction, Guizhou will improve the quality of natural ecosystems with the control of rocky desertification and soil erosion in karst areas, restoration of the environment in rivers, lakes and wetlands, treatment of the water environment in main drainage basins and improvement of forest quality.

It will adhere to the strictest system for protecting the environment, controlling the pollution of fine particulate matter and ozone, and treating volatile organic compounds in related industries.

To complete the system for an ecological civilization pilot area, Guizhou will explore cooperation with the Yangtze River and the Pearl River drainage basins to establish a compensation mechanism for ecological protection; promote the establishment of diversified compensation mechanisms for ecological protection oriented toward the market; and offer more funds for ecological protection.

Guizhou will also stick to low-carbon and cyclic development by promoting the clean and efficient utilization of coal, developing new energy, improving forests' carbon sink function, exploring the implementation of projects for carbon capture, utilization and storage, constructing bases for the comprehensive utilization of industrial resources and establishing zero waste cities.