Beijing, August 14 (Reported by Zhou Qiong) - August 15 marks the second National Ecology Day. Guided by President Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-Civilization, CR has been committed to driving innovation through technology, encouraging reform and innovation, and advancing systemic cooperation. CR prioritizes the efficient and economical use of resources, implements the management system for ecological protection red lines, vigorously advances the battle against pollution, reduces energy consumption and pollutant emissions, and effectively carries out energy-saving and environmental protection initiatives within the railway sector. These efforts continually enhance green and low-carbon development, making positive contributions to the building of a Beautiful China and accelerating the comprehensive green transition of economic and social development.
CR has prudently and steadily advanced the implementation of the national railway carbon peak action plan, urging its regional departments to elevate their political stance and integrate the principles of ecological priority, resource conservation, and green, low-carbon development throughout the entire process of railway planning, design, construction and operation. This comprehensive approach aims to raise the overall level of green railway development.
Focusing on accelerating key energy-saving and carbon-reduction projects, railway units have optimized transportation and energy structures, implemented green passenger station projects, and launched energy-saving and emission-reduction initiatives. Major passenger stations such as Changshanan Railway Station, Nanningdong Railway Station, and Qingdaobei Railway Station have completed energy-saving transformations. Additionally, the railway sector is actively promoting the design and construction of green passenger stations in new projects, incorporating renewable energy sources like photovoltaic power generation. The Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station, which will commence operations in December 2023, features rooftop photovoltaic panels with an annual average power generation of 2.45 million kilowatt-hours, capable of covering the station's operational energy consumption.
Moreover, the railway sector continues to promote green engineering, standardizing the entire process of environmental protection management in design, construction and project acceptance. Efforts to control pollution from solid waste, noise and vibrations are being strengthened, along with enhancing the railway's ability to prevent pollution across all aspects of construction and operation. Green technological innovation is being accelerated, particularly in managing volatile organic compounds and hazardous waste, and there is increased investment in the R&D and promotion of advanced environmental protection technologies. Data shows that in 2023, the comprehensive energy consumption per unit of transportation work by national railways decreased by 10% compared to 2020, while sulfur dioxide and chemical oxygen demand emissions dropped by 80% and 10%, respectively, compared to 2020.