STORY: China marks first Ecology Day amid efforts toward dual carbon goals
DATELINE: Aug. 15, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:41
LOCATION: HANGZHOU, China
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of China
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHAO CHENXIN, Deputy director of National Development and Reform Commission
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WANG ZHIBIN, Senior official with Ministry of Ecology and Environment
4. various of China
 
STORYLINE:
 
Tuesday marks China's first National Ecology Day.
 
China released its remarkable achievements in ecological civilization construction in recent years at a National Ecology Day event held Tuesday in Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHAO CHENXIN, Deputy director of National Development and Reform Commission
"In 2020, China's carbon dioxide emission intensity was reduced by 48.4 percent from that of 2005, exceeding the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) commitment in the first phase. In the first two years of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), China's carbon dioxide emission intensity further decreased by 4.6 percent. Remarkable results have been achieved in energy conservation and carbon reduction."
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WANG ZHIBIN, Senior official with Ministry of Ecology and Environment
"From 2015 to 2020, the quality of China's ecosystem has been continuously improving. Regional ecological conservation and restoration have achieved remarkable results. And the level of biodiversity protection has gradually improved."
 
In June, China's top legislature designated Aug. 15 as National Ecology Day, aiming to enhance public awareness and actions to protect the ecological environment.
 
The country's first National Ecology Day has "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" as its theme, a core concept in China's pursuit of ecological progress.
 
China has been playing an active role in global environmental and climate governance, pledging to peak its carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hangzhou, China.
(XHTV)