Discover How Shanghai is Transforming Its Ecological Environment for a Greener Future

Shanghai has made great strides in improving its environment over the past year. Yan Bo, the director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, shared some exciting updates during a press conference on January 17.

This year, Shanghai’s air quality was rated “good” for 88.5% of the days, which is a slight improvement from last year. The level of PM2.5, a harmful air pollutant, remained low at 28.4 micrograms per cubic meter.

Water quality has also seen significant improvements. According to the country’s five-tier water quality system, 99.3% of the city’s surface water is now classified as Grade III or above. This is the highest level in recent years, with a 1.5% increase from the previous year.

To reduce pollution, Shanghai inspected over 1 million pollutant-discharging outlets. They regulated around 360,000 of these outlets to lessen their environmental impact. The city is also encouraging sustainable practices in vital sectors like integrated circuits and pharmaceuticals, supporting 191 projects aimed at a greener future.

Some former industrial areas along the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek have been transformed into beautiful green spaces. Places like the Yangpu and Xuhui riversides now offer residents a peaceful escape for relaxation and recreation.

Access to green spaces has been a focus, with 849 parks now open 24 hours a day, making up 87.3% of the city’s parks. These parks provide various activities such as fitness, arts, and educational programs, enriching the community’s life.

Looking forward, Shanghai plans to tackle air and water quality even further. They aim to address noise pollution and cooking fumes while collaborating with neighboring cities for comprehensive pollution control in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Locally, the city is set to start building new habitat gardens, creating innovative ways for nature and urban life to coexist harmoniously in the megacity.

Contributed by Gu Yingjie.