Xinhuanet | Benchmark the World''s Low Carbon and Green Watersheds Eyes Innovative Management of Nanming River

What is an ecologically healthy river? What does a river with improved water quality look like? What is truly a low-carbon green watershed?

On May 20th, at the 5th Conference on Urban Water Environment & Ecology Development (2023), top academics and industry insiders from home and abroad had a profound discussion. Qu Jiuhui, president of the Water Environment and Ecology Council of the Chinese Society for Urban Studies, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and National Academy of Engineering, delivered a keynote speech with the theme of "Green Watersheds out of Sight". He introduced the basic characteristics of green watersheds and said that China's basin system is currently undergoing a green transformation towards water resource security, water quality improvement, and ecological health. “What we are fighting for is also a vision for the future, which is, a low-carbon green watershed out of sight should be zero-polluting, carbon-neutral, digital, and one with ecological integrity.” Qu Jiuhui added.

Green Watershed Management — A World Problem

Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Water Resources, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration jointly issued the Plan for Water Ecology and Environment Protection in Key River Basins, which proposed to base upon carrying capacity of water resources, improve aquatic environments, water resources, and aquatic ecosystems, solidly promote environmental protection and natural regeneration of rivers and lakes, and bring rivers back to life, so as to achieve greener economic and social development in all respects.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, China has prioritized the ecological environment management of watersheds, vigorously carried out water pollution prevention and control, and achieved positive results in eliminating black, malodorous water bodies. With the proposal of the "dual carbon" goal, all regions are speeding up the construction of low-carbon green watersheds. However, we’ve encountered many difficulties, including cross-regional cooperation and governance, lack of technological and financial support, and public participation. Moreover, we need to coordinate the demands of governments, enterprises, residents, and other parties.

Academician Qu Jiuhui pointed out that the indication system and evaluation methods for low-carbon green watersheds are very complex and require extensive scientific research. He emphasized that "zero pollution" needs policy guidance, coordination between industry, academia, and research, and joint efforts from all sectors; he also highlighted that 'carbon neutrality' will bring about overall and systematic reformation in watershed management and governance. It is underlined that "biological integrity" is the core of ecological integrity in green watersheds. We should speed up the construction of a "digital watershed", develop diverse digital products to achieve a more precise, intelligent, and efficient governance.

Wang Qiao, academician of the CAE, the International Academy of Astronautics, and researcher of the Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application of the Ministry of Ecology andEnvironment believes that historic progress has been made in the water environment protection of China's river basins, and the physical and chemical indexes are reaching developed countries. However, there are issues that remained to be settled, such as water ecological imbalance, shortage of ecological water, decreased biodiversity, bad aquatic environment, degradation of a water ecosystem, increased aqua-ecosystem risks, and worsening pollution.We need to prioritize the healthy management of water ecology.

Successful Experiences in the World

Academician Qu Jiuhui cited international and domestic cases as references and clarified the common characteristics of green watersheds, which are zero pollution, excellent water quality, rich biodiversity, healthy ecosystem, and natural landscape. There are countries epitomizing watershed management in the world, including the Seine River management in France, which synergize ecological protection and economic development to promote sustainable urban development; The renovation of Cheonggyecheon in South Korea is the largest municipal project in Seoul’s 600-year history, and is considered as the "real beginning of the urban revolution in the 21st century"; The restoration project of Emscher River in Germany coordinates river management, restoration of river channel and shoreline to create a river with Germany characteristics, which exemplifies eco-renovation of traditional industries; Lake Onondoga, once regarded as the "most polluted lake in the United States", has become a role model as green and low-carbon measures were taken; The UK spent 100 years and tens of billions of pounds fixing the Thames' ten-year pollution. Regarded as a "Great Revolution in Water Industry Management", it’s also the world's first successful practice of watershed management in an industrialized and urbanized country; The Nanming River in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China, is the first successful practice of Distributed Underground Reclaimed Water Ecosystem in the city, which only took 8 years to achieve the goal.

Glen Daigger, academician of the National Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Engineering eyes on the advanced management of urban water resources with "One Water" and "Resource Recovery” as the core concept. Green watersheds are closely related to the management of urban water resources. He laid stress on three priority principles, namely alleviating water resource stress, improving utilization efficiency of water resources, and ensuring water security for all.

He also pointed out that China has made great efforts in water resource

equality.

China's solution for Green Watershed Management

Watershed governance has always been a global challenge, and Nanming River has gone through a difficult process from "worrying about water" to "benefit from water". At the beginning of this century, the Nanming River was a "lifeless" black malodorous river, facing repetitive pollution. To tackle the issue, Guiyang adopted systematic governance, which is to coordinate the whole basin and its mainstream and tributaries. Abiding by the principles of "government leadership, mechanism innovation, law-based governance, scientific and technological support, mass participation, and long-term governance", Guiyang has changed the previous governance of "take stopgap measures” and effect a permanent cure. The Nanming River is now a green watershed with sound ecology, efficient management, universal participation, and innovative technology.

According to Li Yuanyuan, Vice President of the General Institute of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Planning and Design, Ministry of Water Resources, following the requirement of modern watershed governance, we should adhere to systematic governance in establishing a modern water governance system and stick to the "four unifications” - unified planning, unified governance, unified coordination, and unified management.

“Eight years ago, there was no national standard nor successful precedent for reference, but with the government's dedicated support for scientific and technological innovation, we explored a path of our own.” Dr. Hou Feng, chairman of the CWEG said.

Biological integrity is the core of ecological integrity in green watersheds. The Nanming River is now a healthy ecosystem with clear waters, fish, and grasses. The biodiversity of the Nanming River has increased significantly, witnessing the rare wild waterfowl. There are more than 10 kinds of aquatic plants. 29 fish species, up to 9 families increased by 10 species compared with the time when the pollution is the worst. Moreover, there are more than 10 kinds of benthos, up to 33 genera, and the submerged plants have increased from 35% to 80%.

Hu Peng, director of the Department of Water Ecology and Environment, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, said that it’s our job to promote urban civilization and protect wild rivers. We should take measures to improve the functional diversity, protect wild rivers, and provide the best water resources to maintain aquatic biodiversity.

“We are committed to building the Nanming River into a low-carbon and green watershed. The sustainable development goals of synergizing ecological landscape, water recycling, reduction of pollution and carbon emissions are also the goal for every city.” Hou Feng added.

link:http://www.news.cn/video/20230526/f049987af250482a846ead848aad1cd4/c.html