Continue to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of production methods and lifestyles
The recently published Qiushi magazine published General Secretary Xi Jinping's important article "Several major relationships need to be handled to promote the construction of ecological civilization", and the relationship between "dual carbon" commitment and independent action is one of them. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that promoting carbon peaking and carbon neutrality is a major strategic decision made by the Party Central Committee after careful consideration, our solemn commitment to the international community, and an inherent requirement for promoting the transformation and upgrading of economic structure, forming competitive advantages of green and low-carbon industries, and achieving high-quality development. General Secretary Xi's important exposition provides important guidelines for us to actively and steadily promote carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and promote the modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
The Chinese nation has always respected and loved nature, and the Chinese civilization, which has lasted for more than 5,000 years, has nurtured a rich ecological culture. Since the new era, under the guidance of Xi Jinping's ecological civilization thought, we have worked hard to build a modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and China's ecological civilization construction has achieved remarkable results. Promoting the harmonious coexistence of man and nature is the distinctive feature and essential requirement of Chinese modernization. Respecting nature, conforming to nature, and protecting nature are the inherent requirements of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way. On the occasion of the first National Ecology Day, General Secretary Xi Jinping made important instructions emphasizing that under the guidance of "dual carbon" work, we will gradually promote the dual control of energy consumption to dual control of carbon emissions, and continue to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of production methods and lifestyles. The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China made it clear that by 2035, one of the overall goals of China's development is to "widely form a green production and lifestyle, stabilize and decline carbon emissions after peaking, fundamentally improve the ecological environment, and basically achieve the goal of a beautiful China".
Achieving the "dual carbon" goal is not only an inevitable requirement for building a modern society where man and nature coexist in harmony, but also an inevitable requirement for meeting the people's needs for a better life. A good ecological environment is a public good urgently needed by the people, and it is also the most inclusive people's livelihood and well-being. Creating a good ecological environment is the proper meaning of better satisfying the people's yearning for a higher quality of life. As the largest developing country in the world today, China proposes to achieve carbon neutrality in the shortest possible time, demonstrating its determination to adhere to the path of green, low-carbon and high-quality development, and demonstrating its responsibility as a major country to actively respond to global climate change and practice the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. China's active and steady promotion of carbon peak and carbon neutrality will help promote the formation of a new pattern of global green environmental governance.
Achieving the "dual carbon" goal is a broad and profound change, which cannot be achieved easily. The "dual carbon" goal we have committed to is unswerving, but the path and method, rhythm and intensity to achieve this goal should and must be determined by ourselves, and will never be influenced by others. To achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality, we must not wait and be in a hurry, and it is impossible to complete the work in one battle, and we must insist on seeking progress while maintaining stability and gradually realizing it. It is necessary to base ourselves on China's national conditions, adhere to the principle of establishing first and then breaking down, accelerate the planning and construction of a new energy system, and ensure energy security. At the same time, we will continue to optimize the industrial structure, vigorously develop green and low-carbon industries, and build development on the basis of efficient use of resources, strict protection of the ecological environment, and effective control of greenhouse gas emissions. To deal with the relationship between the "dual carbon" commitment and independent action, we should not only base ourselves on the present and make steady progress, but also take a long-term view, grasp the rhythm and intensity of carbon reduction, seek truth from facts, step by step, and continue to make efforts.
In the new era and new journey, we will unswervingly follow a new path of ecological priority and high-quality development, and continuously enhance the people's sense of ecological and environmental gain, happiness and security. In this process, correctly handling the relationship between the "dual carbon" commitment and independent action, and making a good ecological environment a stronger support for high-quality development, will surely be able to draw a beautiful picture of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
The author, Jin Yaomei, is the dean of the School of Marxism at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, a distinguished researcher at the Shanghai Xi Jinping Research Center for Socialist Thought with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era, and Peng Xian is an assistant researcher at the Institute of Party History and Party Building, School of Marxism, East China Normal University
