Environment
China
Climate
highly varied; ranging from tropical in the south to subarctic in the north
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Alxa; Arxan; Dali-Cangshan; Danxiashan; Dunhuang; Enshi Grand Canyon-Tenglongdong; Fangshan; Funiushan; Guangwushan-Noushuihe; Hexigten; Hong Kong; Huanggang Dabieshan; Huangshan; Jingpohu; Jiuhuashan; Kanbula; Keketuohai; Leiqiong; Leye Fengshan; Linxia; Longhushan; Longyan; Lushan; Mount Changbaishan; Mount Kunlun; Ningde; Qinling Zhongnanshan; Sanqingshan; Shennongjia; Shilin; Songshan; Taining; Taishan; Tianzhushan; Wangwushan-Daimeishan; Wudalianchi; Wugongshan; Xiangxi; Xingwen; Yingyi; Yandangshan; Yanqing; Yimengshan; Yuntaishan; Yunyang: Zhangjlajle; Zhangye; Zhijingdong Cave; Zigong (2025)
total global geoparks and regional networks
49 (2025)
Land use
other
20.6% (2023 est.)
forest
23.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
55.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 11.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 41.7% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
64.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.78% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
1,186.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
9,402.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
27,832.7 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
18,177.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
395.081 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
24.4% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
air pollution and acid rain resulting from coal dependency; carbon dioxide emissions linked to fossil fuel combustion; water scarcity, particularly in northern regions; water contamination due to unprocessed waste; coastal degradation caused by land reclamation, industrial expansion, and aquaculture practices; deforestation and loss of habitats; inadequate land management contributing to soil erosion, landslides, floods, droughts, dust storms, and desertification; trafficking in endangered species
Total water withdrawal
municipal
117.01 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
103.04 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
361.24 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
12.196 billion metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
774.076 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
9.575 billion metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
1.847 billion metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
41.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
2.84 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban