An aerial view of the Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/VCG]

Zhejiang province highlighted major progress in ecological development during China's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), according to a briefing released by the provincial government on Nov 25.

The province's energy mix has grown significantly cleaner. Zhejiang is accelerating the transition to renewables and strengthening the green power supply. Renewable energy now accounts for 51.9 percent of total installed capacity — surpassing coal for the first time.

The transport sector has also become greener. Over the past five years, Zhejiang phased out 315,000 old diesel trucks, while new-energy vehicles reached 90 percent of the urban public service fleet.

Zhejiang carried out extensive restoration across rural areas, mines, river basins, and marine ecosystems. During the period, the province completed 1,055 land consolidation projects, rehabilitated more than 40,000 mu (about 2,667 hectares) of abandoned mines, and restored over 2,845 square kilometers of ecosystems. Seventeen national marine restoration projects were implemented, repairing more than 140 km of coastline, 40,000 mu of coastal wetlands, and creating 6,000 mu of mangroves.

The province now has 166 nature reserves covering 14,700 sq km, offering crucial habitats for diverse wildlife.

Zhejiang's forestry sector has also expanded rapidly. In 2024, total forestry output reached 661.1 billion yuan ($93.39 billion), with average annual growth exceeding 7 percent over five years. Though Zhejiang accounts for just 2 percent of China's forest area, it contributes 6.6 percent of the nation's forestry output.