Pursuing Green Development: From the 14th to the 15th Five-Year Plan

Huang Chengliang*

Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization Research Center, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)

Abstract: Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, this paper systematically reviews and interprets the historic achievements of China’s green development during the 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) period, drawing strategic implications for the 15th FYP. The analysis demonstrates that, during the 14th FYP period, China successfully broke free from the conventional “pollute first, treat later” trajectory presupposed by the Environmental Kuznets Curve. Through multidimensional breakthroughs—including leapfrog progress in energy structure decarbonization, fundamental improvements in ecological quality, the systemic rise of green productive forces, modernization of environmental governance, and strengthened global ecological leadership—China achieved an initial decoupling of economic growth from resource consumption and environmental degradation, thereby contributing distinctive Chinese insights to global sustainable development. As the 15th FYP period represents the decisive window for achieving carbon peaking, this paper proposes a coherent implementation framework anchored in the institutional transition toward the “Dual Control” of carbon emissions, encompassing total volume and intensity, driven by the accelerated integration of “green-intelligent-resilient” new quality productive forces, and supported by expanded, leadership-oriented global cooperation. The proposed framework aims to provide Provide reference in theory and practice for advancing a comprehensive green transformation of the economy and society, ultimately painting a new picture of Chinese modernization characterized by harmony between humanity and nature.

Keywords: Green development; Comprehensive green transition; 14th Five-Year

JEL Classification Codes: O13; Q56; Q58

DOI: 10.19602/j.chinaeconomist.2026.02.03