Xinhua News Agency: Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the National Development and Reform Commission announcing pilot projects of Ecology-Oriented Development (EOD) model for continuous innovation in environmental governance model

On 28^thApril, 2022,thesecond batch of 58 pilot projects of Ecology-Oriented Development (EOD) modelwere announced bythe Ministry of Ecology and Environment, theNationalDevelopment and Reform Commission and the National Development Bank.China Water Environment Group and Hohhot Municipal People's Governmentcollaborated tobuild the future water ecology-oriented development project in Hohhot, exploring the EOD model in depth and continuously promote the innovation of environmental governance model. Moreover, to thoroughly implement the decision and deployment ofthe Party Central Committee and the State Council on comprehensively strengthening ecological environmental protection and deeply fighting the battle of pollution prevention and control.The project was officially launched among the second batch of EOD model pilot projects, which will strongly promote the further realization of ecological product value.

List of the second batch of Ecology-OrientedDevelopment (EOD) model pilot projects (Source: Ministry of Ecology and Environment website)

Executive Director of E20 Research InstituteXue Taostatedthat in the context of China'spresenteconomic development from quantity to quality, EOD was launched as a major initiative of the Ministry ofEcology andEnvironment in environmental governance model innovation.There are a number of issues that must be addressed in order to achieve long-term sustainability, not only in terms of how to establish a balance but also in terms of the degree to which the overall system of environmental governance and linked businesses are intertwined.

The implementation ofEOD modelenables businesses to maximize their ownadvantages and leading technical strength. Chairman of China Water Environment Group, Dr. Hou Fengstatedthat the EOD model aims to share the benefits generated by ecological and environmental governance to the government, people and enterprises. We will work with the government and people,utilize theworld's leading technology systemto its maximum potential. The wastewater will be used as stable urban water resources, scientific collection and treatment, to promote the realization of plant network, river and lake integration,andwastewater sludge integration. In addition, we contribute tothe construction of water resources center, green energy center, public service supply center, digital management center and space comprehensive utilization center. Moreover, we willcreate the Yellow River Basin water ecology green low-carbon and project benchmark of high-quality development.

In October 2021, Hohhot City signed a cooperation framework agreement with China Water Environment Group and highly recognized the achievements of China Water Environment Group in the fields of comprehensive water environment management, water supply services,wastewatertreatment, sludge treatment and water reuse. China Water Environment Group will help innovate the organization and implementation of ecological and environmental management projects through comprehensive water environment management and ecological complex construction. Additionally, environment protection and high-quality regional economic development in Hohhotcan also be promoted byproviding sustainable water resources and green energy,as well asintegratingenvironmental management and ecological industry creation.