China Achieves Environmental Goals, Surpasses Targets in 2024

China met all of its ecological and environmental improvement goals for 2024, with many targets exceeded, according to Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu. The minister reported these achievements to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress during a session that began on Sunday.

One key achievement was the reduction of PM2.5 particulate matter in major cities. The average density reached 29.3 micrograms per cubic meter, a 2.7 percent decrease year-on-year, surpassing the annual target of 32.2 micrograms. Furthermore, major cities experienced good air quality, defined as an index below 100, on 87.2 percent of days, exceeding both the previous year's figures and the yearly goal.

Significant progress was also made in water quality. The proportion of surface water achieving Grade I, II, or III quality levels surpassed the 85 percent target set for the 14th Five-Year Plan. In 2024, 90.4 percent of surface water met or exceeded Grade III, marking the first time this proportion exceeded 90 percent. This represents a one percentage point increase from the previous year.

Huang highlighted improvements in pollution control at Taihu Lake and the Songhua River. The water quality in Taihu Lake reached a "fairly good" level for the first time in three decades, and the Songhua River was no longer considered lightly polluted. These improvements were attributed to various measures, including efforts to reduce pollution from coal burning.

Additional measures included ultra-low emission upgrades for crude steel production capacity and the shift of rural households from coal to clean fuels for home heating. The construction or renovation of sewage pipelines and the elimination of black and odorous water bodies in cities also contributed to the positive results. Furthermore, 1,440 tailings ponds in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and 360 in the Yellow River Basin were effectively treated.

Despite the progress, Huang acknowledged that improvements are not fully consolidated and that challenges remain in advancing the Beautiful China Initiative. The ministry's focus this year will be on deepening reforms of ecological civilization institutions and coordinating efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development, and pursue economic growth. China is committed to coordinating ecological and environmental protection with green, low-carbon development, accelerating a transition toward eco-friendly socioeconomic development.