Vigorously develop new quality productive forces and promote the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development

Liu Dechun

General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that green development is the background color of high-quality development, and new quality productivity itself is green productivity. We should deeply understand the theoretical and practical significance of this major thesis, comprehensively understand the important role of developing new quality productive forces in promoting the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, accurately grasp the key tasks of promoting the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, and implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on green development in the spirit of nailing.

1. Historic achievements have been made in the green transformation of the mainland's economic and social development in the new era

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, the mainland's green and low-carbon development has made historic achievements, which has become an important landmark achievement in the new concept and practice of the Party's governance in the new era.

The new development concept with green as an important content is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core regards the construction of ecological civilization as a fundamental plan related to the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, and has carried out a series of pioneering work and made a series of major strategic deployments. In the overall layout of the "five-in-one", the construction of ecological civilization is one of them, in the new development concept, green is one of them, in the basic strategy of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the characteristics and essential requirements of Chinese-style modernization, the harmonious coexistence of man and nature is one of them, in the three major battles, pollution prevention and control is one of the battles, and in the goal of becoming a modern socialist country, Beautiful China is one of them. In September 2020, President Xi Jinping solemnly announced the "dual carbon" goal to the international community, leading the construction of ecological civilization in mainland China into a new stage with "carbon reduction" as the key strategic direction. In 2023, the National People's Congress decided to designate August 15 as the National Ecology Day to deepen the popularization of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and raise the awareness of ecological civilization in the whole society.

The high-quality development with green as the beautiful background color has achieved remarkable results. The pace of green energy transformation has accelerated, the installed capacity of renewable energy has exceeded 1.5 billion kilowatts, historically exceeding the installed capacity of coal-fired power, and the implementation of the "three reforms" of coal-fired power units has reached about 742 million kilowatts, compared with 2012, the proportion of coal consumption in mainland China in 2023 has decreased by 13.2 percentage points, and the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption has increased by about 8.8 percentage points. Industrial optimization and upgrading have been actively promoted, with a total of more than 150 million tons of backward steel production capacity, 134 million tons of ultra-low emission transformation of the whole steel process, more than 40 million tons of crude steel output reduced, and nearly 5,100 green factories cultivated. From 2012 to 2023, the mainland's energy consumption per unit of GDP decreased by 26.8%, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP decreased by more than 35%, and the output rate of major resources increased by more than 60%. In 2023, the average concentration of PM2.5 in cities across the country will drop to 30 micrograms per cubic meter, the proportion of excellent surface water quality sections in the country will reach 89.4%, and the water quality of the main stream of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River will remain stable at Class II.

The development of new quality productive forces characterized by green has accelerated. Driven by the strong demand for green transformation, the innovation capacity and industrial strength of relevant industries in mainland China have been greatly improved. The production and sales of new energy vehicles have ranked first in the world for nine consecutive years, with production and sales reaching 9.587 million and 9.495 million units respectively in 2023, with a market share of 31.6% and nearly 65% of global sales. China has built the world's largest, most complete and most competitive clean energy industry chain, with the output of photovoltaic modules ranking first in the world for 16 consecutive years, the output of polysilicon, silicon wafers, cells and modules accounting for more than 80% of the world's total, and the conversion efficiency of mass production of advanced photovoltaic cells reaching 25.5% in 2023. The third-generation nuclear power project was smoothly promoted, and the first reactor of AP1000 and "Hualong No. 1" was connected to the grid for power generation. The Qilu Petrochemical-Shengli Oilfield million-ton carbon capture, utilization and storage project and the Taizhou coal-fired power 500,000-ton carbon capture project have been completed, and the main processes and equipment have been localized.

Second, the thesis that "new quality productivity itself is green productivity" is of great theoretical and practical significance

The history of the development of human civilization is a history of the development of productive forces and the relationship between man and nature. The productive forces and mode of production of capitalism have not only caused a social crisis, but also brought about problems of resources and the environment. According to Marx, "human planning that is not based on the great laws of nature can only lead to disaster". General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "ecological civilization is the product of the development of industrial civilization to a certain stage, and it is a new requirement for the harmonious development of man and nature". To support human civilization to enter a new stage of ecological civilization, we must accelerate the development of new quality productive forces. In the face of this issue of the times, General Secretary Xi Jinping made a major assertion that "the new quality of productivity itself is green productivity", which is another major theoretical innovation of our party in the Marxist theory of productivity and ecological outlook, as well as the enrichment and development of Xi Jinping's economic thought and Xi Jinping Thought on ecological civilization, which provides ideological guidance and fundamental compliance for the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.

This major assertion shows that green is the distinctive feature of the new quality productivity itself. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the new quality productivity "has the characteristics of high technology, high efficiency and high quality", "is born by revolutionary breakthroughs in technology, innovative allocation of production factors, and deep industrial transformation and upgrading", and "takes the substantial improvement of total factor productivity as the core symbol". This fully shows that the new quality of productivity must and must have green characteristics. If a new mode of production or organization increases the consumption of energy resources and the ecological environment in the whole life cycle and total factor dimensions while increasing output, it will inevitably fail to meet the requirements of "substantial increase in total factor productivity", and it will not belong to the new quality productivity.

This major assertion shows that green is the fundamental orientation for the development of new quality productive forces. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that it is necessary to accelerate the green transformation of the development mode and help carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Firmly establish and practice the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and unswervingly follow the path of ecological priority and green development. This fully shows that the development of new quality productivity must adhere to the major principle and fundamental orientation of green development, run green and low-carbon requirements through the whole process and all aspects of high-quality development, comprehensively handle the relationship between high-quality development and high-level protection, build a green and low-carbon circular economic system, and promote the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.

This major assertion shows that green is the inevitable result of the development of new quality productive forces. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "the development of new quality productivity is the internal requirement and important focus of promoting high-quality development" and "green development is the background color of high-quality development". This fully shows that the development of new quality productive forces with green as a distinctive feature is the fundamental policy to solve the mainland's resource, environment, and ecological problems. At this stage, the proportion of fossil energy and traditional industries on the mainland is still relatively high, and there is still a gap between the utilization efficiency of energy resources and the international advanced level.

Third, the development of new quality productivity plays an important role in promoting the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development

Accelerating the development of new quality productive forces with green as a distinctive feature plays an important supporting and leading role in promoting the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.

Key measures to promote the optimization and upgrading of industrial structure. At present, the task of adjusting the mainland's structure, changing its mode, and promoting growth is very arduous and arduous. It is necessary to unswervingly promote the transformation and upgrading of the industrial structure, but also not to ignore or abandon traditional industries; it is necessary to encourage the development and growth of new industries and new forms of business, and at the same time to prevent the rush to the top and bubbles. It is necessary to seize the opportunity of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, apply scientific and technological innovation achievements to specific industries and industrial chains in a timely manner, build efficient ecological and green industrial clusters, upgrade traditional industries, constantly shape new competitive advantages, and increase the proportion of green and low-carbon industries in the total economy.

An important starting point for accelerating the green and low-carbon transformation of energy. In 2023, the mainland's total energy consumption has reached 5.73 billion tons of standard coal, and energy consumption will continue to grow rigidly in the future, with the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption accounting for less than 18%, and oil and natural gas are heavily dependent on imports, so ensuring energy security is under great pressure. It is necessary to accelerate scientific and technological innovation in the energy field, develop non-fossil energy with greater efforts, strengthen the research and development and application of deep decarbonization technologies of fossil energy, build a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system, improve energy self-sufficiency, and continuously enhance the stability, security and sustainability of energy supply.

The basic policy to solve the problems of resources, environment and ecology. At present, the foundation for the stability and improvement of the mainland's ecological environment is not stable, and it is still in a critical period of superimposed pressure and heavy burden. It is necessary to adhere to precise pollution control, scientific pollution control, and pollution control in accordance with the law, vigorously implement energy conservation and emission reduction, comprehensively strengthen resource conservation and intensive recycling, expand the path to realize the value of ecological products, promote the synergy of pollution reduction and carbon reduction, accelerate the formation of green production methods and lifestyles, and promote the improvement of ecological environment quality from quantitative to qualitative change.

It is a major country to build a community with a shared future for mankind. The earth is the common home of mankind, and no country is immune to the global environmental and climate crisis. China is a participant, contributor and leader in the construction of global ecological civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, "To achieve the 'dual carbon' goal, it is not for others to ask us to do it, but for us to do it ourselves." "We must firmly implement the "dual carbon" commitment, contribute to the global response to climate change with our own actions, and at the same time give full play to our own advantages to provide clean energy products and equipment and sustainable development solutions for the world.

Fourth, the key tasks of promoting the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development

On February 19, 2024, the fourth meeting of the Central Committee for Comprehensively Deepening Reform deliberated and adopted the Opinions on Promoting the Comprehensive Green Transformation of Economic and Social Development. To promote the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, adhere to the comprehensive, coordinated, innovative and safe transformation, take the "dual carbon" work as the guide, and work together to promote carbon reduction, pollution reduction, green expansion and growth, and integrate the concept of green development into all aspects of the whole process of economic and social development, and earnestly implement various goals and tasks.

Promote green transformation in key areas. Focus on key areas to promote green transformation, solve key problems, and accelerate the formation of a spatial pattern, industrial structure, production mode, and lifestyle that conserves resources and protects the environment. In terms of spatial pattern, focusing on the requirements of high-quality development, we will draw a clear bottom line and frame for development, and create a green development highland in combination with major regional strategies. In terms of industrial structure, we will continue to expand the increment, optimize the stock, expand the scale of green and low-carbon industries, accelerate the green transformation of traditional industries, and strengthen the coordinated transformation and development of digital and green. In terms of energy transition, we will continue to promote the clean and efficient use of fossil energy, vigorously develop renewable energy, and steadily promote the safe, reliable and orderly replacement of old and new energy. In terms of transportation, we will accelerate the construction of a modern transportation system, actively promote the green transformation of transportation infrastructure, and vigorously promote new energy vehicles. In terms of urban and rural construction, we will improve the urban and rural planning, construction and management systems, promote green buildings, promote energy-saving renovation of existing buildings and farmhouses, and steadily promote clean heating in the northern region.

Focus on key links. Focus on the whole process and chain of economic and social development, and focus on key links to promote green transformation. Implement comprehensive conservation, increase energy conservation and carbon reduction, promote the conservation of energy, water resources, food, land and mineral resources, and accelerate the construction of a waste recycling system. Promote the transformation of consumption, advocate a simple, moderate, green and low-carbon lifestyle, expand the supply of green and low-carbon products, increase government procurement of green products, promote the establishment of a product carbon footprint management system, and vigorously advocate a green and healthy lifestyle in the whole society. Strengthen scientific and technological innovation, strengthen applied basic research, strengthen green and low-carbon scientific and technological innovation, and improve the mechanism for the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements. Improve supporting policies, establish and improve fiscal, tax, financial, investment, and price policies and standard systems to support green and low-carbon transformation, and improve market-oriented mechanisms such as carbon emission trading, voluntary emission reduction trading, and green power certificate trading. Strengthen international cooperation, participate in global environmental and climate governance in a more active manner, strengthen practical cooperation, and support the green and low-carbon development of developing countries.

Strengthen the implementation of safeguard measures. Promoting the green transformation of the development mode involves the overall economic and social development, and it is necessary to have both systematic planning and deployment, as well as a strong implementation mechanism. It is necessary to strengthen the party's centralized and unified leadership, adhere to the same responsibility of the party and the government, consolidate the main responsibilities of all regions, relevant departments and units, and implement the decisions and arrangements of the party Central Committee in a down-to-earth manner. It is necessary to strengthen the protection of the rule of law, accelerate the improvement of laws and regulations related to green transformation, create a fair and just legal environment, and ensure that all work has laws to follow and rules to follow. It is necessary to intensify publicity and guide the whole society to form a new trend of advocating green and low-carbon through various forms of publicity. It is necessary to carry out evaluation and assessment, establish a comprehensive evaluation and assessment system for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, carry out evaluation of all regions, commend the advanced, supervise the backward, and promote high-quality development with a strong organizational guarantee and work system, and promote the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. (The author is director of the Department of Environmental Resources of the National Development and Reform Commission)

Research on Xi Jinping's Economic Thought (Issue 3, 2024)

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The development of new quality productivity is an intrinsic requirement and an important focus for promoting high-quality development