Green GDP in China - Current Situation in the 2020s

Green GDP in China - Current Situation in the 2020s

In the 2020s, the economic loss due to environmental pollution in China remains significant, with air pollution and water pollution being major issues. According to 2021 data, economic losses from environmental pollution in China reached about 2.5 trillion yuan (about 390 trillion yen) annually, which accounts for about 2.5% of China's GDP. These losses include health damage, ecosystem destruction, and impacts on agricultural production.

Air Pollution
In major northern cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province, PM2.5 levels remain high. In 2020, the average annual PM2.5 concentration in Beijing reached 35μg/m³, far exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of 5μg/m³. Nationwide, health damage caused by air pollution results in losses of about 1.4 trillion yuan (about 22 trillion yen), including medical costs for respiratory diseases and labor loss.

Water Pollution
Water pollution is also severe across China, particularly affecting the Yangtze River and Yellow River basins. In the Yangtze River basin, 2.1 billion tons of industrial wastewater and urban sewage were discharged into rivers in 2020, leading to eutrophication and a decrease in aquatic life. Economic losses due to water pollution nationwide amount to approximately 700 billion yuan (about 11 trillion yen), impacting fisheries, agriculture, and drinking water supply.

Soil Pollution
Soil pollution remains a major issue, particularly in Henan Province, Hunan Province, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, where heavy metal contamination is prevalent. A 2021 survey found that about 16.1% of arable land in China is contaminated with heavy metals, mainly cadmium, lead, and arsenic. Agricultural losses due to soil pollution are estimated at around 200 billion yuan (about 3 trillion yen), significantly affecting food security.

Corporate Response
Sinopec (China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation) began operating a hydrogen production project with an annual capacity of 1 million tons in 2023, aiming to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation) is expanding natural gas supply and investing in renewable energy, with plans to invest 10 trillion yuan (about 150 trillion yen) over the next five years. These measures aim to peak CO2 emissions by 2025.

Technological and Government Efforts
China is enhancing real-time environmental monitoring using AI and big data technologies. The National Satellite Meteorological Center's "Fengyun" environmental monitoring satellite series monitors air pollution and water quality, enabling more accurate calculation of green GDP. Although discrepancies in regulations between local governments remain an issue, future efforts will focus on consistent regulation enforcement and penalties, with the goal of balancing sustainable economic growth and environmental protection.