In its recent municipal government report, Beijing announced notable advancements in expanding green spaces throughout the city during 2024. A total of 35 new parks were created, taking the overall count to a remarkable 1,100 parks. Additionally, the city engaged in extensive afforestation, adding approximately 10,000 mu (around 667 hectares) of new greenery. The establishment of 500 kilometers of greenways has further enhanced the city's landscape, with a significant highlight being the completion of an 80-kilometer greenway surrounding the Second Ring Road, which features 20 neighborhood blocks and 300 greenery-adorned overpasses.
Furthermore, Beijing's forest coverage rate has seen an increase from 38.6 percent in 2012 to 44.9 percent in 2024, with urban afforestation coverage nearing 50 percent at 49.8 percent. The Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau has set a goal to elevate the forest coverage rate to 45 percent by 2025, showing the city's commitment to ongoing environmental initiatives. Additionally, the government reported that efforts to combat air pollution continue to progress, with the number of new energy vehicles surpassing 1 million and green electricity usage rising to 26 percent.
Despite challenges posed by unfavorable weather, such as heavy fog and stagnant winds during autumn and winter, Beijing achieved a decrease in the average density of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which now stands at 30.5 micrograms per cubic meter—down by 6.2 percent compared to previous figures. The city recorded 290 days of good air quality in 2024, which is an increase of 19 days compared to the prior year. Looking ahead to 2025, plans are underway to further develop the garden city concept with additional greenways, build 1,000 supercharger stations for electric vehicles, and maintain a focused campaign against dust pollution, with ambitions to nearly eradicate heavy pollution days entirely.
12 Comments
Habibi
Absolutely thrilled with the progress! 👏 It's amazing to see how much Beijing has transformed into a greener, cleaner city. 🌱
Donatello
Wow! Beijing is setting a remarkable example for other cities to follow. 🌍 This report highlights the importance of prioritizing sustainability and prioritizing the well-being of citizens.
Leonardo
While the progress is encouraging, we need to focus on long-term solutions and avoid greenwashing. Sustainability needs to be ingrained in all aspects of city development.
Donatello
While electric vehicle adoption is increasing, the infrastructure for charging stations still needs significant improvement. ⚡ We need more widespread availability of charging stations to truly encourage electric vehicle use.
Michelangelo
👏👏👏 This is fantastic news! Beijing's commitment to green spaces and environmental protection is truly inspiring. 🌳
Africa
This is the type of change we need to see everywhere! 🌎 Investing in green infrastructure and clean energy is the key to building a sustainable future for everyone.
Raphael
👏👏👏 Amazing progress! The city's dedication to clean energy and the fight against air pollution is commendable. ⚡ We can all learn from Beijing's commitment to building a sustainable future.
Muchacha
😔 The report doesn't mention any specific measures to tackle dust pollution. This needs to be addressed in future plans to ensure cleaner air quality.
Mariposa
👏👏👏 The expansion of green spaces and the successful fight against air pollution are truly inspiring. These initiatives are making Beijing a more livable and enjoyable city for all. 🌳
Comandante
These are truly remarkable achievements! Beijing has set the bar high for other cities to follow in the fight for a sustainable future. 🏆
Habibi
👏👏👏 This progress report is a testament to Beijing's commitment to building a sustainable and livable city for all. 🌳 Their achievements in green infrastructure and clean energy are inspiring. 🌎
Muchacho
🤔 While it's good to see some progress, the air pollution levels are still concerning. We need to see even more significant reductions in PM2.5.