The use of sand barriers helps transform hundreds of acres of northern China's Kubuqi Desert into green landscape. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region recently held a news conference to set out its climate change planning for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

The planning defines 12 specific indicators -- including carbon intensity, energy consumption intensity, total energy consumption, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption and forest and grass coverage -- for the following four years. Of these, nine are binding indicators and the three remaining are expected indicators.

They have reportedly been set out to ensure that work on climate change can be quantified and executed.

The planning also clarified 15 key tasks for controlling greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change from 2021 to 2025.

Among them were carrying out actions on peak carbon emissions, building a green and low-carbon industrial system, building a clean and low-carbon modern energy system and strengthening the construction of a disaster prevention and mitigation system.

Under the plan, by 2025 Inner Mongolia's key industries, sectors and areas will be the first to achieve peak carbon emissions. The leading role of low-carbon demonstration pilots will be significantly strengthened and the ability to adapt to climate change will be further improved.

Meanwhile, the region's climate change governance system and governance capabilities will be effectively enhanced.