SHENZHEN’S energy and carbon emission intensities were only one-third and one-fifth of the national averages, respectively, according to a 2021 environment report submitted by the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government to the city’s legislature for deliberation.

The city’s ecological system’s quality and stability have gradually improved, with the average PM2.5 density falling to 18 micrograms per cubic meter last year, the lowest record since monitoring data were available.

In addition, the city’s AQI (Air Quality Index) showed an excellent 96.2% rate, and its Air Quality Composite Index ranked in the country’s top 10 for nine consecutive years, according to the report.

In terms of water environment, 159 blackened and polluted water bodies and 1,467 small blackened and polluted water bodies have been eliminated.

Shenzhen completed 100 tasks set up for the building of a “zero-waste city.” The local disposal and utilization capacity of solid waste increased to 243,000 tons per day, up by 38,000 tons per day year on year. Moreover, garbage recycling rate increased from 41.1% to 46.5%.

Last year, the city implemented the country’s first regulation on ecological and environmental protection. With efforts to reduce carbon emissions of key industries and sectors, the installed capacity of clean power supply accounted for nearly 80% of the total, and the added value of strategic emerging industries accounted for nearly 40% of the total GDP.

The city added 162 green projects with a total construction area of 18.86 million square meters.  (Wang Jingli)