The China Forum on Agricultural and Rural Low-Carbon Development and the 16th Agricultural Environment Summit was held in Beijing on Mar. 31. Zhang Xingwang, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Wu Kongming, President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), attended the event and delivered remarks. The Report on Agricultural and Rural Low-Carbon Development in China 2023 was released at the meeting. 

Vice Minister Zhang emphasized the importance of developing a sound industrial system on green and low-carbon circular agriculture, increasing protection of agricultural ecology, and promoting emission reduction and carbon sequestration for agriculture and rural areas in a steady way. President Wu pointed out that the Report on Agricultural and Rural Low-Carbon Development in China 2023, issued by CAAS, is China’s first report on agricultural and rural low-carbon development with follow-up studies. It presents China’s progress in promoting green and low-carbon development in agriculture and rural areas, and is a strong proof of the country’s efforts in this respect.

The report thoroughly analyzes the current status of China’s agricultural and rural low-carbon development. According to the report, China’s agricultural carbon footprint is at a “basic and survival level”. The country has ensured the food security and the stable and safe supply of major agri-products with a relatively small amount of carbon emissions. Moreover, carbon emissions for major crops show a downward trend. 

The report also analyzes main problems and challenges facing China’s agricultural and rural low-carbon development, and makes the following suggestions: increase yield and efficiency and promote green development in a coordinated manner; improve long-term incentive mechanisms for agricultural low-carbon development; and improve the carbon emission monitoring network and the reviewing and evaluation system for emission reduction and carbon sequestration.