| Project Detail |
Project Name
Chongqing Gaoxin District Green and Low-Carbon Urban Development Program
Project Number
56182-001
Country / Economy
China, Peoples Republic of
Project Status
Approved
Project Type / Modality of Assistance
Loan
Former project name: Chongqing Nature-Based, Green, Low-Carbon, and High-Quality Urban Development Demonstration
The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) is shifting its growth target away from quantity and toward quality and sustainability, adopting a green and low-carbon development path to tackle climate change and address environmental degradation. The PRC committed (i) its nationally determined contributions that aim for carbon dioxide (CO2) to peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, and (ii) a strategy for climate change adaptation. Responding to these national-level commitments and strategies, governments at provincial, municipal, and district-level have formulated their own plans, programs, and strategies to contribute to national government targets and results.
Chongqing is a centrally administered municipality developed as one of the main industrial bases of the inland PRC. A large portion of Chongqings gross domestic product is derived from the secondary sector, and the share of heavy industries in the economy is high. Its resource-based and polluting economy is impacting the environment. Chongqing is facing challenges in transforming itself into a green and low-carbon economy. Furthermore, Chongqing has been experiencing severe climate events, including extreme high temperatures, mountain fires, heavy rains, floods, and droughts. Responding to the national-level targets and strategies, Chongqing has plans to actively respond to climate change, demonstrate low-carbon cities and communities, advocate green lifestyles, innovate institutional mechanisms to realize low-carbon cities, reduce pollution, and increase climate resilience and disaster responsiveness in urban and rural areas.
Chongqing Gaoxin District (CGD), one of the Chongqings districts with an area of 316 square kilometers (km2), is situated in the Liangtan River basin between two mountain ranges with rivers, lakes, wetlands, and green spaces. By mid-2023, CGDs population was around 575,000, about 86% of which are urban residents. This is Chongqings primary strategic development area-home to a national-level high-tech zone with enterprises and education and research institutions.
Although urban infrastructure was developed with the rapid urbanization of CGD, it is of poor quality, resulting in negative consequences. The nonrevenue water rate is substantial, and combined sewer systems pose pollution risks during heavy rain season. Peoples awareness of sorting and reusing domestic garbage and building materials still needs improvement. Many of CGDs buildings are still not energy efficient, and their energy consumption and carbon emissions are high and need improvement. About 18% of the CO2 emissions of CGD in 2021 were produced from peoples daily activities. Residents, including women, are concerned about the air quality deterioration.
Chongqing and CGD strive to address environmental degradation through ecology and river rehabilitation. Pollution sources are not effectively controlled--the water quality of Liangtan River and its tributaries fluctuates depending on the season and water level, and it does not always meet the standard. Gray infrastructure is adopted in rivers and stormwater management, raising flood risks. Sidewalks, parks, and green spaces where people, including older people, women, children, and persons with disabilities (OWCD), can safely walk and enjoy nature, are lacking. CGD has not been able to utilize its ecological and natural capacity or apply nature-based solutions to become a sponge city. Responding to Chongqings plans and strategies, CGD has a plan to establish itself as a low-carbon city with green ecological corridors, zero-waste measures, transit-oriented development, and a green low-carbon industry innovation and incubation cluster.
CGDs government program (broader government program). To contribute to Chongqings municipal targets on climate change and carbon reduction; and to implement green, nature-based, low-carbon, climate-resilient, and intersectoral urban development measures, the Administration of Chongqing Gaoxin District (ACGD) issued Chongqing Gaoxin District Urban Construction Green Low-Carbon Development Program, 2023-2030. The ACGD, one of the district governments directly under the Chongqing Municipal Government (CMG), is highly committed to establishing green, nature-based, low-carbon, and climate-resilient urban areas where people and nature coexist harmoniously; and CGD as a leading district of Chongqing municipality contributes to the PRCs national efforts of (i) climate mitigation by peaking CO2 before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, and (ii) promoting climate adaptation. CGD was designated as a district in 2020 and ACGD is a relatively new administration with flexibility to implement innovative initiatives. However, it requires strong institutions and capacities to implement the broader government program.
Impact
Green, low-carbon, and nature-based city established
Chongqing Gaoxin Districts contribution to CO2 peaking and carbon neutrality targets supported |
