8. The action for consolidating and enhancing carbon sink

We will apply systems thinking, and adopt a holistic approach to the conservation of mountain, river, forest, farmland, lake, grassland, and desert ecosystems. Efforts will be made to improve the quality and stability and the carbon sink capacity of our ecosystems.

(a) Consolidating the carbon sequestration capacity of ecosystems

By making and implementing China's territorial space plans, we will work to form a new model of development and protection, which is conducive to peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. We must strictly enforce red lines in ecological conservation, control the use of ecological spaces, and build a nature reserve system centered on national parks, to stabilize the carbon sequestration ability of forests, grasslands, rivers and lakes, wetlands, oceans, soil, permafrost, and karst areas. We must strictly implement standards for land use, promote economical and intensive use of land, and spread relevant technologies and practices.

(b) Enhancing the carbon sink capacity of ecosystems

We will carry out large-scale programs to protect and restore major ecosystems. We will push ahead with large-scale afforestation, and consolidate achievements already made in returning marginal farmland to forests and grasslands, to increase forest and grassland resources. We will strengthen forest protection, and take targeted measures to improve the quality of our forests, so as to enhance the quality and stability of forests. We will step up efforts to protect and restore grassland ecosystems, and increase the overall vegetation coverage of grasslands. We will strengthen the protection and restoration of rivers, lakes, and wetlands. We will comprehensively protect and restore marine ecosystems, improve the carbon sequestration capacity of mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes. We will move forward with efforts to restore and improve degraded land, and make comprehensive efforts to curb desertification, rocky desertification, and soil erosion. We will work to improve and restore environments surrounding abandoned mining areas. We will expand forest coverage around 25% of China's total land area and increase forest stock volume to 19 billion cubic meters by 2030.

(c) Strengthening the foundation for ecological system carbon sinks

Based on and supported by the systems for investigating and monitoring natural resources, we will make good use of the results of national comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of forest and grassland ecosystems, and develop a system for monitoring and accounting the carbon sink capacity of ecosystems. We will carry out background surveys of carbon sink in forests, grasslands, wetlands, oceans, soil, permafrost, and karst areas, evaluate their stock, and analyze their potential. We will also monitor and evaluate carbon sink capacities of protected and restored ecosystems. We will strengthen research on basic theories, basic methods, and cutting-edge disruptive technologies in relation to carbon sinks in land and marine ecosystems. We will improve mechanisms for ecological compensation, with a focus on measuring the value of carbon sinks. We will work to establish rules for carbon sink projects involving in national carbon market.

(d) Promoting carbon emissions reduction and carbon sequestration in agriculture and rural areas

We will step up efforts to develop green, low-carbon and circular agriculture, and support low-carbon modes such as agricultural photovoltaics, the integration of photovoltaic power and protected agriculture, and the combination of offshore wind farms and marine ranches. We will research applied agricultural technologies that can increase carbon sequestration. We will improve the quality of cropland and protect China's chernozem soils, to enhance soil organic carbon content. We will appropriately control the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural plastic sheeting, carry out plans for replacing conventional fertilizers and pesticides with organic alternatives, and step up efforts to recycle and comprehensively utilize resources from crop straw and livestock and poultry waste.

9. The action for green and low-carbon society

We will raise public awareness of the need to conserve resources, protect the environment, and maintain the ecosystems, and encourage simple, moderate, green, low-carbon and healthy ways of life, so that the people become more active in pursuing green development.

(a) Strengthening publicity and education for ecological civilization

We will incorporate education on ecological civilization into the national education system, inform the public of China's current situation in terms of resources and the environment in various ways, and help them better understand peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. We will raise awareness on ecological civilization, and ensure that literary and artistic works reflect our green and low-carbon direction. We will develop related cultural and creative products and public service advertisements, and continue to carry out themed campaigns including Earth Day, World Environment Day, National Energy-Saving Week, and National Low-Carbon Day, so as to raise public awareness of green and low-carbon development and spur public enthusiasm for ecological civilization.

(b) Advocating green and low-carbon living patterns

We must curb luxury, waste, and unnecessary consumption, put a resolute stop to wasteful behaviors, and work tirelessly to reduce food waste in the catering industry. We will promote energy conservation throughout whole society, launch demonstration campaigns to build a green and low-carbon society, intensify initiatives to promote eco-friendly living patterns, select and publicize a group of role models, and foster new trends for green and low-carbon living patterns. We will vigorously expand green consumption, promote green and low-carbon products, and improve the system for green product certifications and labels. We will increase green government procurement rate.

(c) Encouraging enterprises to fulfill their social responsibilities

We will encourage enterprises to take proactive steps to meet needs for green and low-carbon development, shoulder more responsibility for environmental protection, strengthen energy and resource conservation, and take green innovation initiatives to the next level. State-owned enterprises in key areas, especially those managed by the central government, should draw up peaking carbon dioxide emissions action plans and strengthen their ability to take the lead and offer guidance. Major energy consumers should review and account for their own carbon emissions, further explore ways to cut emissions, and formulate dedicated work plans tailored to their specific conditions to advance efforts in energy conservation and emissions reduction. Relevant listed and bond-issuing companies should disclose their carbon emissions according to requirements of environmental information disclosure laws. We will support industry associations and other similar social organizations in encouraging enterprises to fulfill their social responsibilities.

(d) Increasing training for cadres

We will designate Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization as a core part of education and training for officials. Party schools and academies of governance at all levels should include peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality in their programs and conduct phased training for officials at all levels. The training should popularize scientific knowledge, explain policy priorities, raise officials' rule of law awareness, and deepen their understanding of the importance, urgency, scientific essence, and systematic approaches of work related to peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. Leading officials in charge of green and low-carbon development should improve their professional competence and abilities as soon as possible to effectively fulfill their duties.