China will take measures to minimize the impact of green energy development, such as solar and wind power, on the country’s biodiversity during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), according to a recent environmental impact assessment.
The document was published by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, China Daily reported.
The country has already taken some steps to strengthen ecosystem protection during the 13th Five-Year Plan from 2016 to 2020.
In an overall environmental impact assessment of development plans for 30 river basins, the Ministry proposed canceling about 200 water conservation and hydropower projects, a recently released document said.
The Ministry also noted efforts to intensify activities for the conservation and restoration of ecosystems within the framework of large projects for solar and wind power.
Wildlife areas for terrestrial and aquatic animals, as well as new alternative habitats, have become essential elements in the construction of hydroelectric power plants and linear projects such as power transmission and water diversion.
According to the document, as China moves ahead with its ambitious climate goals, the country will include climate change factors in its environmental impact assessments. However, measures will be taken to ensure that projects that serve these purposes do not endanger the habitats of protected species.
China aims to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
The Ministry will seek to promote pilot programs for estimating greenhouse gas emissions from industrial parks. When evaluating the environmental impact of coal mining projects, greater importance will be given to the control of marsh gas, the main component of which is methane, which is a much more potent heat-trapping gas than carbon dioxide.