Achievements of the China National Program for Women's Development (2011-2020) in Women and the Environment

6. Women and the Environment

6.1) The ecological environment has been significantly improved. With the deepening notion that "clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as mountains of gold and silver", the extent of green and low-carbon production and lifestyle in China has increased significantly, with the total emission of major pollutants drastically reduced and the stability of  the ecosystem enhanced. At present, 12 thousand protected areas of varying levels and types have been established across the country with national parks at its core. The protected areas account for 18 percent of the country's total land area. According to data from the 9th National Forest Resources Inventory (2014-2018), China's forest area exceeded 220 million hectares, an increase of 12 . 76 million hectares from the 8th National Forest Resources Inventory (2009-2013); and the forest coverage rate was 22.96 percent , an increase of 1.33 percentage points.

6.2) The urban environment has been continuously improved. In recent years , with increasing efforts to develop the urban environment , the appearance of urban environments across the country has significantly improved, and the sense of gain in ecological environment among residents has greatly enhanced. In 2020, the per capita park and green space in urban areas across the country was 14.8 square meters, an increase of 3.6 square meters from 2010. The greenery coverage of urban built-up areas, the urban sewage treatment rate, and the rate of harmless disposal of household solid waste in urban areas were 42.1 percent, 97. 5 percent, and 99.7 percent, respectively, which were 3.5, 15.2, and 21.8 percentage points higher than that in 2010. In 2020, the annual average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in 337 cities at or above the prefecture level was 33 micrograms/m3, which was lower than the level II national standard (35 micrograms/m3) for the first time.

6.3) The living environment in rural areas has continued to improve. In 2018, 18 ministries including the Leading Group Office of Rural Work jointly issued the Rural Living Environment Improvement and Clean Village Action Plan, and initiated and implemented key actions related to improving the environment in villages. At present, the objectives and tasks outlined in the three-year action plan on rural living environment improvement have been fully achieved , and more than 95 percent of villages in the country have carried out the relevant key actions. The environmental and health awareness among rural residents were further enhanced, and the living environment in rural areas became clean and tidy. In 2020, 88.0 percent of residents were benefiting from centralized water supply in rural areas, an increase of 30 percentage points since 2010, achieving the "around 85 percent" target outlined in the China National Program for Women's Development (2011-2020).

6.4) Full coverage of community service facilities achieved in  urban areas. In recent years , relevant departments have vigorously promoted the establishment of community services, with public and commercial services for the convenience and benefit of community residents universally available. At the end of 2020, there were 802 thousand community service institutions and facilities across the country, an increase of 441 thousand from end 2015. In 2020, the coverage rate of comprehensive community service facilities in urban and rural areas reached 100 percent and 65 .7 percent, respectively, an increase of 20.7 and 51.4 percentage points compared with 2016. The living and development environment of all populations including women have continued to improve, and daily life has become more convenient.

(Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China)