China Achieves "Zero Growth" in Land Degradation and "Dual Reduction" in Desertified Land

China has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against desertification, achieving the world's first "zero growth" in land degradation and a "dual reduction" in desertified and sand-covered land. This remarkable achievement was announced by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration at a news conference on Monday.

The announcement highlighted that 53% of China's treatable desertified land has been successfully managed, leading to this historic progress. Huang Caiyi, director of the desertification control department, emphasized that China has entered a virtuous cycle of ecological protection and livelihood improvement, becoming the largest contributor to global greening.

This achievement marks a significant step forward in China's efforts to combat desertification, a global challenge that affects millions of people worldwide. The country has successfully pioneered a desertification control path with Chinese characteristics, transforming the economic, social, and ecological landscapes in desertified areas.

This year marks the first anniversary of the Three-North Shelterbelt Project's critical phase and the 30th anniversary of China's signing of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration remains committed to actively carrying out desertification control work centered on the Three-North Shelterbelt Project and fulfilling its obligations under the UNCCD.

Huang expressed his determination to create new miracles in desertification control in the new era, contributing China's strength to global desertification management. The Three-North Shelterbelt Project has been recognized for its environmental achievements, receiving the Global 500 Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement medal by the United Nations Environment Programme. Additionally, the UNCCD Secretariat has twice awarded China's "outstanding contribution to combating desertification.