(CFP Photo)

As June 5 marks World Environment Day, here's a summary of Jiangsu's achievements in environmental protection.

Air quality

In 2022, the annual average concentration of PM2.5 in Jiangsu was 32 micrograms per cubic meter, a 3.0% decrease compared to the previous year. This marked the ninth consecutive year of decline since 2013. 

The PM2.5 concentration and the ratio of days with good air quality have met the national assessment targets.

Surface water quality

In 2022, 91% of surface water sections under national monitoring program in Jiangsu stood at or above Grade III, exceeding 90% for first time. No sections of surface water were at Grade V, the lowest level.

Water quality in the Yangtze River and Taihu Lake

The water quality of the Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River main stream has remained at Grade II for five consecutive years, and no large-scale algal blooms have happened in Taihu Lake for 15 consecutive years.

Marine environment

In 2022, among the 95 national monitoring points in Jiangsu's nearshore waters, the proportion meeting or exceeding Category II according to the State Standard of Seawater Quality, Category III, Category IV and inferior to Category V (heavily polluted water) was 88.9%, 6.6%, 2.8%, and 1.7%, respectively.

Ecological quality

Based on the biodiversity survey conducted from 2017 to 2022, Jiangsu recorded 6,903 animal and plant species, including 94 species listed under national key wildlife protection.

Rural environment

In 2022, out of the 136 villages that conducted air quality monitoring in Jiangsu, 81.3% of the days had good air quality. 

Among the 182 surface water sections under monitoring in county-level regions, 87.9% had water quality reaching or exceeding Grade III.