About a quarter of China will be covered by forests by 2020 if the country is able to implement the ambitious project known as 'Eco-civilization', according to a new report by the United Nations. This effort goes hand in hand with the country's goals to significantly reduce carbon emissions. CO2.
El Eco-civilization plan was launched within the framework of the Second Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya, and sets clear sustainability goals. According to the report, China is committed to ensuring that more than 23% of its surface covered by forests by 2020, a significant increase driven by ambitious forestation projects implemented with long-term planning.
In addition, this plan also provides for cities to achieve a 80% of days with good air quality per year, which represents a considerable challenge in a country that, in previous years, has been one of the most polluting in the world.
The 'Eco-civilization' Project in Context
The 'Eco-civilization' project is part of a broader effort towards sustainability that seeks to integrate ecological development with economic, social, cultural and political progress. China's initiative is deeply linked to its Five-year plans, of which the one corresponding to 2016-2020 is key to this process.
In this context, forest cover is considered an essential component. Increasing afforestation levels not only aims to improve air quality, but also to combat desertification and improve water resource management. By the end of 2020, reforestation efforts would have reached 23% of forest cover across the country, reversing decades of deforestation, land overexploitation and adverse weather events such as sandstorms that affected several regions.
Strategies to Achieve the 23% Forest Cover Goal
To achieve this ambitious goal, one of the key projects has been the development of the Saihanba artificial forest, located in the north of Hebei Province. This region, which until 60 years ago was a desert, has been transformed into the The world's largest artificial forest, with a current extension of 80.000 hectares.
The key to Saihanba's success has been the combination of artificial crop technologies with a focus on climate adaptation. At first, only 8% of the planted trees survived, but thanks to the use of techniques such as soilless cultivation (using hydroponic fabrics) and the selection of species adapted to the harsh local conditions, today the forest has a survival rate of 98%.
Saihanba's ecological impact is remarkable. With a vegetation cover of 80%, its capacity to purify water and capture carbon is significant. It is estimated that this artificial forest is capable of absorb more than 860.000 tons of CO2 per year and release 600.000 tons of oxygen, which greatly contributes to mitigating negative environmental impacts in the surrounding areas.
Relationship between forest cover and water resources management
One of the biggest benefits of reforestation projects, such as Saihanba, is their ability to improve water management. In China, 137 million cubic meters of water are preserved annually thanks to the forest cover of this type of initiatives.
This is vital in a region that has traditionally been vulnerable to desertification and water scarcity. Forests also help prevent soil erosion and improve water filtration into aquifers, which is essential for the ecological balance and economic development of rural areas.
Impact of Reforestation on Air Quality
For a country like China, which has faced serious air pollution problems, the impact of reforestation goes beyond absorbing CO2. Forests act as great natural filters, trapping suspended particles and helping to reduce concentrations of polluting gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
Thanks to these efforts, there has been a considerable improvement in air quality in cities such as Beijing, where sandstorms, which were frequent during spring, have been reduced by a 70% in the last decade, according to official data.
Eco-civilization: Beyond Reforestation
In addition to the direct benefits of reforestation, the initiative Eco-civilization includes mechanisms for reduce water consumption by 23% and energy consumption in a 15%. At the same time, the reduction of the CO2 emissions per unit of GDP in a 18%, which integrates sustainability into each economic sector.
The project also seeks to encourage the use of renewable energy. By 2020, China was projected to have achieved a considerable percentage of energy from non-fossil sources, such as solar and wind energy, which complements forest sustainability efforts.
Regarding climate change mitigation, these changes are essential to meet the country's international commitments, including those established in the Paris Agreement.
Finally, the plan of China's Eco-Civilization It has also inspired other nations to rethink their green development strategies. Indeed, the Chinese experience has led to the implementation of similar projects in other parts of the world, such as reforestation efforts in Africa through the Great Green Wall.
The success of these programmes shows how a major power can adjust its development models to coexist harmoniously with the environment, proving that a green economy is not only possible, but profitable, while providing a sustainable legacy for future generations.