Md. Ziaul Islam

The extent of flooding in China is more significant than in any other country. Our research reveals that approximately 66 % of China’s landmass is submerged by flooding, affecting about 50 % of the population. Furthermore, the financial toll of flooding now accounts for approximately 1.42 % of the annual gross domestic product (GDP), which is almost 40 times higher than the corresponding figure for the United States. We have observed that Zhengzhou city in Henan province, which faced a devastating flood in 2021, received a significant amount of rainfall, specifically a total of 552.5 mm within a 24-hour period. The floods in Henan province in 2021 caused considerable damage, including impacting nearly 15 million people, resulting in almost 400 deaths, damaging over 10,000 square kilometers of agricultural land, causing almost $19 billion in economic losses, and leading to the collapse of over 35,000 households and damage to various properties. In a similar manner, the significant flooding that occurred in southern China in 2020 impacted approximately 7.1 million individuals across eight provinces and resulted in 54 fatalities, the collapse of 6,700 houses, and incurred a direct economic loss of US$3.33 billion. We found that rainstorms have significantly increased to 10 % in the last 60 years in China. In this paper, we delved into exploring the existing published articles, reports, and government and authoritative legal texts to analyze the causes and impacts of flooding in China’s flood-prone regions and potential mitigation strategies to reduce the repercussions of distressing flood events. We believe this study will help policymakers by providing new insights while formulating policy to reduce the loss caused by high-level flooding.

With the pace of global sustainable development, China has improved significantly in tackling environmental problems such as carbon emissions, climate change, air, water, and soil pollution, and wildlife extinction. Our study shows that despite China’s economic policy reform, several issues persist, including inequality between society and region, depletion and waste of resources, and damage to the natural environment. The study observed that China shuts low-level oil and coal-based power plants to prevent air pollution, promote a zero-carbon world, and reduce carbon intensity to 18.8%. The country also increased forest coverage by nearly 23.4%, declared five national parks in 2021, cleaned 98% of polluted water bodies, and improved the air quality in many big cities. A country like China has shown deep concern for environmental sustainability and has formulated many policies, laws, and regulations to prevent and conserve the environment and biodiversity and ensure sustainable economic development. This study argues that the Chinese concept of ecological civilization construction adheres to global sustainable development as both pursuits of achieving sustainable conservation of natural resources and improving the livelihoods of the people. Therefore, this paper reviews China’s policies toward ecological civilization (EC), which aim to create a beautiful China by 2035 on the outline of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The present study also addresses the issues the Chinese government faces while implementing environmental sustainability.

Abstract Our comprehensive analysis delves into the viability of incorporating circular economy (CE) principles to effectively address Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)‐12 (“Responsible Consumption and Production”), with a focus on minimising food waste and loss (FWL) and lessening environmental harm. The study relied on existing literature from various organisations, including the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation, and World Resources Institute, among others, to collect data. This study reveals that in 2019, over 931 million tonnes of food squandering was produced on a global scale, and households, the food service industry, and retail establishments account for the squandering of 61, 26, and 13 per cent, respectively. Our study finds that food waste contributes significantly to environmental damage, causing approximately 16 per cent of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by food systems in Europe. We also find that food production, such as the excessive disposal of meat, contributes to nearly 20 per cent of the carbon footprint caused by FWL on a global scale. Based on analysing available data, we investigated the factors and frequency of FWL in the agri‐food industry on a global scale, which vary in terms of a country's or region's economic position. Therefore, this research aims to assess and integrate the CE model into agri‐food sustainability in harmony with the SDG indicators worldwide.

Purpose Ever since China’s implementation of the open-door policy in 1978, there has been a remarkable transformation in the nation’s economic landscape. Undesirably, amidst the rapid urban development, the importance of prioritising and nurturing rural development in China has not received unwavering attention. Nevertheless, the Chinese government has embarked on many ventures to bridge the disparities existing amidst urban and rural areas, revitalise the rural economy, and enhance overall productivity. This paper enunciates the role of the Chinese government in prospering rural areas by implementing policies that align with the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs)- 1, 2 and 12. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a comprehensive methodology encompassing both primary and secondary research techniques to procure valuable insights and reviewed various Chinese government policies pertaining to rural revitalisation. Findings The study results demonstrate that throughout the policy implementation, China has contributed to the livelihoods of the rural communities and achieved SDG-1 (ending poverty) by 2030, ten years ahead of Agenda (2030). The country has also substantially improved its rural agricultural system by integrating modern science and technology and aiming to achieve SDG-2 (ensure food security) with the alignment of SDG-12 (sustainable production and consumption). The findings of this research indicate that despite some limitations in China’s rural revitalisation strategy, overall progress is seen in many aspects, particularly in achieving SDG-1, 2, and 12. Research limitations/implications The Chinese government has made significant efforts to promote ecological, social, and economic development in rural areas through various national initiatives such as the “New Countryside” and “Rural Revitalisation” strategies. These initiatives have successfully alleviated poverty, increased food production, and ensured sustainable production and consumption. The discoveries presented within this article possess immense value, as they provide profound insights for policymakers, rural planners, and researchers who are fervently searching for viable solutions to tackle the intricate interplay between rural development and sustainability. Therefore, this study has the potential to greatly benefit policymakers from various nations, as they can adopt China’s rural revitalisation model as a means to successfully achieve SDGs 1, 2, and 12. Originality/value This study found that despite numerous initiatives to improve rural landscapes, China’s rural revitalisation approach still poses concerns as local governments are likely to focus on increasing income capacity rather than concentrating on establishing environmental governance.

Abstract Shenzhen, a bustling metropolis in China, is currently grappling with the delicate balance between urban expansion and environmental preservation. This study finds that the disintegration of habitats due to urban development in Shenzhen city significantly impacts the ecosystem of animals and plants, detrimentally altering their living conditions. The study results reveal that the expansion of construction land in China has surged by an impressive 84.39% between 2000 and 2020, which has come at the cost of diminishing wetlands, farmland, and woodlands by 57.24%, 16.58%, and 1.86%, respectively. Between 1980–2020, the urban expanse of Shenzhen expanded dramatically, growing from 16.0 square kilometres to 850.2 square kilometres. This transformation was primarily driven by the rapid conversion of forested areas, which saw a staggering decrease of approximately 300% to 780 km 2 by 2020. Additionally, half of Shenzhen’s expansion can be attributed to the transformation of agricultural land, with an additional 40% stemming from the clearing of forests and approximately 9% resulting from the decrease in water resources. Furthermore, non-urban green spaces, particularly built-up areas, have significantly expanded, now encompassing approximately 60% of the city in 2018. Therefore, based on the existing literature and authoritative legal texts, this study aims to examine the legal frameworks of the Shenzhen government and, along with China’s national legislation, to make room for wildlife and biodiversity conservation in a metropolis like Shenzhen.