Ecological Red Lines

Ecological Red Lines

Ecological red lines, also known as “conservation red lines,” refer to spatial boundaries and environmental management limits that must be strictly observed in ecological conservation services, environmental quality and safety controls, and natural resource utilization, in order to ensure national and regional ecological safety, sustainable economic and social development, and people’s health.

These lines are essential for securing China’s ecological safety, and must not be crossed. Otherwise the country’s ecology, the people’s working and living conditions, and sustainable development will all be endangered.

The Chinese government is conducting research on the delineation of red lines and their effective implementation through institutional arrangements, so as to offer the best possible protection for a healthy environment. Once the mechanism of red lines is in place, it must be implemented throughout the country without fail.

生态保护红线

生态保护红线，亦称生态红线，是指在自然生态服务功能、环境质量安全、自然资源利用等方面，需要实行严格保护的空间边界与管理限值，以维护国家和区域生态安全及经济社会可持续发展，保障人民群众健康。生态红线是国家生态安全的底线和生命线，这个红线不能突破，一旦突破后果必将危及生态安全、人民生产生活和国家可持续发展。中国政府正在通过精心研究和论证，确定究竟哪些要列入生态红线，如何从制度上保障生态红线，把良好生态系统尽可能保护起来。生态红线一旦确立，全国就要一体遵行，决不能逾越。