“The Party and the State Council have attached great importance to ecological civilization since the 18th National People’s Congress, pushing this industry toward the path of sustainable development.”
Ma Rong, Vice-Director of the Department of Resource Conservation and Environment Protection’s National Development and Reform Commission, introduced related policies.
During the period of the 13th Five-Year Plan, China established the energy-saving and environmental-protection industries as strategic emerging industries. The “Three Actions”, including the National Energy and Water Saving Initiative and Circular Development-Leading Actions were announced. Also formulated in China's 13th Five-Year Plan was the development of the energy-saving and environmental protection industry plans, with the energy-saving industry's development as the main goal.
China set aside a special fund in support of these strategic emerging industries. Following the launch of the important projects in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, three critical battles against pollution were prominent. In the meantime, a special supporting fund was established.
For strategic emerging industries, special funds were established. There have been three major battles against pollution that are important to highlight, especially the battle against water pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, for which a special water pollution treatment project is being launched, and special supporting funds have been set aside.
Regarding third-party governance, the State Council issued the 'Suggestions on Promoting the Third-Party Governance of Environmental Pollution', emphasizing the need for pollution charges, market operations, government leadership, and promoting enterprise as the main body for this, and also launch some pilot programs.
This year, the National Development and Reform Commission of the Department of Ecology and Environment jointly developed the third party-governance to advance management of environmental pollution in park zones, mainly implemented through pilot programs in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The corporate income tax was cut by 15% for third-party bodies responsible for pollution governance. Meanwhile, the Central Committee has allocated some of this year's budget to support the work of third-party governance bodies.
The foundation for the recycling of resources is being constructed. A recycling complex at the garbage handling factory was established, meanwhile dealing with non-recyclable trash, to achieve coordinated win-win results. Keeping in mind that some of the waste materials are very new, the strategy to deal with this new type of waste is the next step in governance.
Ma Rong noted that energy conservation and emission reduction can bring benefits to our industry. She hoped that people can pay more attention to national policies, national guidance, national fund guidance and financial policies in this regard, bringing new opportunities to environmental protection industry.
