Guizhou turns green mountains into golden assets

Bijie transforms ecological environments into carbon assets using carbon tickets. [Photo provided to eguizhou.gov.cn]

Over 3,020.9 mu (201.39 hectares) of forestland in Baimashan forest farm, Bijie, Southwest China's Guizhou province, have evolved from a natural landscape into a quantifiable, tradable, and value-generating ecological asset, marking a significant milestone in turning green mountains into golden treasures.

Forestry carbon tickets serve as exclusive certificates of rights and interests for forestry carbon sinks, allowing the carbon dioxide absorbed and stored by trees to be traded compliantly and generate revenue, much like agricultural commodities.

Carbon sink reserves are calculated based on annual forest growth increments, converted into carbon dioxide emission reductions, and certified through carbon tickets. This provides a lawful and standardized basis for ecological value accounting and circulation.

As a national forestry carbon sink pilot city, Bijie has pioneered a collaborative mechanism allowing companies responsible for ecological damage to fulfill their compensation or restoration liabilities by voluntarily purchasing forestry carbon tickets.

To revitalize carbon assets, Bijie has introduced specialized support programs guiding financial institutions to launch tailored credit products, such as carbon sink pledges and credit enhancements, creating a coordinated support system linking forest insurance, green financing, and carbon pledging.

As of 2026, Bijie has issued six forestry carbon tickets covering 74,600 mu of forestland, accounting for 307,800 metric tons of carbon reductions. By releasing ecological dividends, Bijie is transforming its ecological advantages into engines for high-quality sustainable development.