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Building Climate Resilience in the Yellow River Basin

提升黄河流域气候韧性

By Asian Development Bank

September 30^th, 2025

The Yellow River, known as the “Mother River of the Chinese nation,” originates from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Spanning 5,464 kilometers, it traverses the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Loess Plateau, the Inner Mongolia Plateau, and the North China Plain before winding eastward into the Bohai Sea. The river basin encompasses critical ecological zones such as the Yellow River Natural Ecological Corridor, the Three-River-Source Region, the Qilian Mountains, the Zoige Wetlands, and the Yellow River Delta. Home to approximately 164 million people, the basin contributes 10.2% of the People's Republic of China's GDP and holds strategic significance in the nation’s modernization efforts.

However, the changing climate has exacerbated challenges in the basin. Growing tensions between water supply and demand, frequent floods and droughts, and severe soil erosion have been seen in recent years. In the upper reaches, accelerated warming and humidification are melting glaciers and permafrost, threatening the stability of the “Water Tower of China.” The middle reaches face intensifying warming and drying trends, worsening water scarcity. In the lower reaches, the “suspended river” above ground level continues to pose flood risks, endangering nearly one million people in floodplain areas.

The Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has prioritized addressing climate impacts on the Yellow River. Key initiatives include the Outline of the Plan for Ecological Protection and High-Quality Development in the Yellow River Basin, eco-compensation, enhanced climate monitoring and early warning systems, upgraded emergency response mechanisms, and investments in irrigation, water storage, and ecosystem restoration projects. Nature-based solutions, optimized agricultural climate resource utilization, climate-resilient city pilots, and "sponge city" - development are being promoted. Public engagement has also expanded, helping these efforts to significantly improve the basin’s climate risk management, strengthen the integrity of mountain-river-forest-farmland-lake-grassland ecosystems, and drive overall ecological and environmental quality enhancement across the basin.

黄河，被誉为“中华民族的母亲河”，发源于青藏高原，全长5,464公里，自西向东流经青藏高原、黄土高原、内蒙古高原和华北平原，最终注入渤海。黄河流域涵盖黄河自然生态廊道、三江源地区、祁连山脉、若尔盖湿地、黄河三角洲等多个重点生态区。整个流域生活着约1.64亿人口，创造的国内生产总值（GDP）占中华人民共和国（中国）全国总量的10.2%，在中国现代化建设全局中具有举足轻重的战略地位。

然而，不断变化的气候加剧了黄河流域面临的挑战。近年来，水资源供需矛盾日益突出，旱涝灾害频发，水土流失严重。上游地区暖湿化趋势加快，导致冰川和冻土消融，威胁着“中华水塔”的稳定；中游地区暖干化趋势加剧，缺水问题愈发严峻；下游地上“悬河” 隐患仍在，洪涝风险持续威胁洪泛区近百万居民的安全。

中国政府高度重视应对气候因素对黄河流域的影响，为此已推出一系列重大举措，包括落实《黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展规划纲要》，建立生态补偿机制，强化气候监测与早期预警系统，升级应急响应机制，加大灌溉、蓄水与生态系统修复工程投入。同时，积极推进基于自然的解决方案、农业气候资源优化利用、气候适应型城市试点和“海绵城市”建设。公众参与度也在不断提升，有力推动了黄河流域气候风险管理能力的显著增强，促进山水林田湖草生态系统的完整性保护，并带动全流域生态环境质量的整体提升。

Building Climate Resilience in the Yellow River Basin

Issues and Challenges

The Yellow River Basin stretches across nine provinces from the PRC’s west to the eastern coastline and is characterized by complex terrain. It is not only a vital component of the PRC’s ecological security strategic framework but also a climate-sensitive and ecologically fragile region. Situated in the transitional zone between northern and southern climates, the basin experiences highly variable weather patterns, with significant regional differences and pronounced interannual and seasonal fluctuations in climate. In recent years, the impacts of the changing climate have become increasingly evident, making the basin prone to frequent meteorological disasters such as torrential rains, droughts, and sandstorms.

问题与挑战

黄河流域横跨中国西部至东部沿海九个省区，地形复杂多样。该流域不仅是中国生态安全战略框架的重要组成部分，还是气候敏感和生态脆弱区域。位于南北气候过渡带的黄河流域，天气模式高度多变，区域内气候差异显著，且年际和季节性波动明显。近年来，气候变化影响日益凸显，流域频发暴雨、干旱和沙尘暴等气象灾害。

The upper reaches of the Yellow River lie in a high-altitude, frigid zone, where alpine glaciers, grassland vegetation, and wetland ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to degradation, marking it as a highly sensitive and fragile area for ecological and climatic changes. Over recent decades, the combined effects of climatic changes and human activities have led to a rise in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in this region. This has caused snowline elevation, glacial retreat, reduced ice reserves, severe depletion of surface water resources, destabilization of the cryosphere environment, and increased risks to ecological security. According to statistics, glaciers, snow cover, and permafrost in PRC's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region have been shrinking annually. Over the past 50 years, glacial reserves have decreased by 15%, and the area of permafrost has shrunk by 16%.

黄河上游地处高海拔寒带，高山冰川、草原植被和湿地生态系统极易退化，是对生态与气候变化高度敏感且脆弱的区域。近几十年来，气候变化与人类活动的叠加效应，使该地区极端天气事件的发生频率和强度均有所增加。这不仅导致雪线上升、冰川消退、冰储量减少、地表水资源严重枯竭、冰冻圈环境失稳，还加重了生态安全风险。据统计，中国青藏高原地区的冰川、积雪和冻土面积正逐年缩减。过去50年间，冰川储量减少15%，冻土面积缩减16%。

The Yellow River originates from the Bayankala Mountain in Qinghai Province, flowing eastward in a winding course. At Tangke Township in Zoige County, it converges with the Bai River, forming the majestic First Great Bend of the Yellow River, which faces Gansu Province across the river. This iconic bend, located in Tangke Town, Zoige County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, lies in a region where the main stem of the Yellow River features flat terrain but highly unstable riverbanks. The shifting river channels in the valley have led to severe hazards such as flood scouring, erosion, bank collapse, and localized catastrophic collapses.

发源于青海省巴颜喀拉山下的黄河，自西向东迂回曲折，在四川省阿坝藏族羌族自治州若尔盖县唐克镇与白河汇合，形成壮美的“黄河九曲第一湾”，隔河与甘肃省相望。在这一标志性河湾地段，黄河干流虽地势平坦，但岸线极不稳定。河道在河谷地带游移摆动，存在河水冲刷、侵蚀、堤岸坍塌以及局部灾难性塌陷等严重隐患。

Amid rising temperatures, the Dagu Glacier in Heishui County, Aba Prefecture, is retreating rapidly at an annual rate of 5% to 10%. Over the past 50 years, it has lost 70% of its mass, and if this trend continues, the glacier may disappear entirely within the next 5 to 10 years. The retreating glaciers have caused lake expansion and increased river runoff, yet paradoxically heightened future risks of water scarcity. Meltwater from the Dagu Glacier has formed a lake at the terminus of the glacier’s tongue at an elevation of 4,860 meters. Locals have named it “Lei Lake” (Tear Lake), as it resembles nature’s tears. Meanwhile, risks of glacial collapse, glacial lake outburst floods, and glacial debris flows are rising, posing significant threats to the lives and property of nearby communities.

在气温持续升高的背景下，四川省阿坝州黑水县的达古冰川正以每年5%～10%的速度急剧退缩，过去50年间冰储量减少了70%。若这一趋势延续，未来5至10年达古冰川或将彻底消失。冰川消退虽导致湖泊面积扩大、河流流量增加，但矛盾的是，这也可能加剧未来缺水风险。达古冰川融水在海拔4,860米处的冰舌末端汇聚成湖，因其形态宛若大自然的眼泪，当地人称之为“泪湖”。与此同时，冰川崩塌、冰湖溃决洪水和冰川泥石流等灾害风险不断上升，对周边社区的生命财产安全构成重大威胁。

Extreme weather and climate events occur from time to time on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau in the upper reaches of the Yellow River.

在黄河上游的青藏高原地区，极端天气气候事件时有发生。

Affected by the accumulation of lake waves and sandstorms, a huge sand dune area called Sand Island has formed in the northeast of Qinghai Lake.

受湖浪冲击和风沙堆积影响，青海湖东北部形成了一片巨大的沙丘地带，被称为“沙岛”。

Due to the flow of the lower reaches of the Yellow River from southwest to northeast, the northern section of the river freezes first in winter, resulting in ice floods. Ice floods can easily cause blockages in ice dams, leading to embankment breaches and posing a serious threat.

由于黄河下游河水自西南向东北流淌，冬季北部河段最先封冻，形成凌汛。凌汛易导致冰坝堵塞，引发堤防决溢，对沿岸地区构成严重威胁。

The problem of the Yellow River tributary drying up is still serious in Pingyao County, Shanxi Province

Due to the large amount of sediment carried by the Yellow River, it quickly settles in the downstream plain area, and the mainstream wanders in the flood control area. People have started to build embankments to prevent floods, and the flood channel continues to silt up and rise. The downstream section of the river has been silted up for a long time, forming the world-renowned “hanging river on the ground”, which poses a risk of overflow, flooding, and diversion under certain conditions.

黄河携带大量泥沙，在下游平原地区迅速沉积，导致主河道在防洪区内游荡摆动。为防范洪水，当地开始修筑堤防，但行洪河道仍持续淤积抬升。黄河下游河段因长期淤积，形成了举世闻名的“地上悬河”，在特定条件下存在漫溢、洪涝和改道等风险。

Adaptation Progress and Eﬀectiveness

After unremitting efforts in recent years, the climate risk management capability of the Yellow River Basin has been greatly improved, and an integrated meteorological observation system of “sky and earth” was established. Ecological system protection and restoration projects have been continuously carried out, and the systematization of mountains, waters, forests, fields, lakes, and grasslands has been continuously enhanced. Major national water conservancy projects have been implemented to consolidate and enhance water security capabilities, actively optimize the utilization pattern of agricultural climate resources, improve the agricultural disaster response system, promote the pilot of national climate adaptive cities and the construction of sponge cities, and significantly improve the urban living environment.

适应进展与成效

经过近年来的不懈努力，黄河流域气候风险管理能力大幅提升，建成了陆海空一体化综合气象观测系统。生态系统保护与修复项目持续推进，山水林田湖草系统治理不断加强。多项国家重大水利工程相继实施，以巩固提升供水保障能力，积极优化农业气候资源利用格局，完善农业灾害应对体系，推动国家气候适应型城市试点和“海绵城市”建设，并显著改善城市人居环境。

The Zoige Wetland not only attracts tourists with its magnificent natural scenery and rich cultural connotations. It, also attracts attention for its important ecological value. The Zoige Wetland replenishes up to 2.9 billion cubic meters of water for the Yellow River every year, and is known as the “kidney of Qinghai Tibet” and the “water tower of China”. This wetland plays a crucial role in the water conservation of the Yellow River and is also an important part of the PRC’s ecosystem. The Zoige area that flows through has been rated as the “most beautiful wetland in China” and the “hometown of Chinese black necked cranes”.

若尔盖湿地不仅以壮美的自然风光和深厚的文化底蕴吸引着广大游客，更因其重要的生态价值而备受关注。湿地每年为黄河补给水量高达29亿立方米，被誉为“青藏高原之肾”和“中华水塔”。该湿地是黄河重要的水源涵养地，也是中国生态系统的重要组成部分。黄河流经的若尔盖地区被评为“中国最美湿地”和“中国黑颈鹤之乡”。

Huangshui fish Return Channel Restoration Project

Lijiaxia Close hillsides to facilitate Aﬀorestation Project

Greening Project of the Yellow River Mainstream

Check Dam, Jihe River Basin, Tianshui City, Gansu Province

Luochuan Meteorological and Agricultural Experiment

Construction of Yellow River Ecological Corridor 黄河生态廊道建设

Documentary of the Research Work on the Yellow River Project

As part of ADB's technical assistance “Building Climate Resilience through Adaptation Planning in the Yellow River Basin”, a field investigation was conducted in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, including its source area and provinces such as Qinghai, Gansu, and Sichuan. It, focused on climate conditions, ecological and environmental status, wetland conservation, and observation stations. The research aimed to assess the climate and water resource conditions, as well as the effectiveness of ecological conservation efforts in the region. Key sites covered in the investigation included the Yellow River’s source at Bayankara Mountain in Qinghai, Yushu, Zaling Lake, the Huangshui River, Xitai Jinai’er Lake, Qinghai Lake, and tributaries in Gannan, Gansu. Emphasis was placed on evaluating the status of water conservation functions and progress in water resource protection at the river’s source.

On-site inspections were carried out in wetland conservation areas such as Golog–Starry Sky Lake in Qinghai to gain in-depth insights into changes in forest ecological functions and wetland ecosystems in the upper reaches. Additionally, the research included visits to the radar observation systems at the Golmud Meteorological Bureau in Qinghai and the wind farms in Lenghu, examining technological applications in climate monitoring and renewable energy development.

This comprehensive study highlights efforts to address ecological challenges and enhance climate resilience in the Yellow River Basin through scientific assessment and targeted conservation strategies.

黄河技援项目调研工作实录

亚洲开发银行（亚行）“黄河流域适应计划提升气候韧性” 技术援助项目对黄河上游（黄河源区及青海、甘肃、四川等省）进行了实地调研。调研主要关注气候条件、生态环境状况、湿地保护和观测站建设，旨在评估当地气候与水资源状况及生态保护工作成效。通过重点走访青海省巴颜喀拉山黄河源头、玉树、扎陵湖、湟水河、西台吉乃尔湖、青海湖以及甘肃省甘南境内的黄河支流，着重评估黄河源区的水源涵养功能与水资源保护进展。

在青海省果洛州星宿海等湿地保护区，调研团队通过现场勘查，深入了解了黄河上游地区森林生态功能与湿地生态系统的变化情况。此外，还走访了青海省格尔木市气象局雷达观测系统和冷湖风力发电场，考察相关技术在气候监测和可再生能源开发中的应用。

本次调研综合全面，重点展现了通过科学评估和精准保护策略，推动黄河流域应对生态挑战、提升气候韧性的各项工作。

Research on the Water Quality of Qinghai Lake and the Current Situation of Surrounding Sandy Land Management.

Field research was conducted in key cities and rural areas in Shaanxi Province to evaluate the impact of climate-related disasters on various key areas and the effectiveness of existing response plans.

在对陕西省重点城市和农村地区的实地调研中，评估了气候相关灾害对不同区域的影响及现有应对方案的实效。

A field visit was conducted to key sites including the “Model Yellow River” experimental base at the Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, flood control facilities in the Zhengzhou section (Huayuankou), and the Yellow River Basin Museum. The purpose was to gain deeper insights into critical issues such as flood prevention systems, ecological conservation and restoration, and sediment management in the basin. These visits focused on understanding the historical evolution of the Yellow River and its current governance status.

Over the 2,500 years from the pre-Qin period to the pre-liberation era, the lower Yellow River experienced over 1,500 breaches and 26 major course shifts. This underscores the critical importance of ensuring the river’s long-term stability and advancing high-quality development across the basin.

To address the needs of Yellow River governance, development, and management, the Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC) established the “Model Yellow River” experimental base. This facility includes physical models of key river sections, such as Xiaolangdi to Susizhuang, Huayuankou to Dongbatou, the Xiaolangdi Reservoir area, and the Sanmenxia Reservoir area. By simulating inflow and flood discharge scenarios, researchers observe channel changes and study sediment movement dynamics during water-sediment regulation operations. The laboratory also simulates natural rainfall to advance ecological restoration and soil conservation efforts. These experiments provide scientific and technological support for the complex, systemic task of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin.

The coastal wetland of the Yellow River Delta, one of the PRC’s three major estuarine wetlands, plays a critical role in resource provision, environmental protection, and economic productivity. Under the dual pressures of sea-level rise driven by global warming and increasingly frequent and intense human activities linked to rapid coastal economic development, these factors have emerged as dominant forces shaping the evolution of the delta’s coastal wetlands.

调研团队先后走访了黄河水利科学研究院“模型黄河”试验基地、郑州段（花园口）险工及黄河博物馆等重点场所，深入了解黄河历史演变与治理现状，着重探讨黄河流域防洪体系、生态保护与修复及泥沙淤积治理等关键议题。

从先秦时期至解放前的2,500余年间，黄河下游共发生决溢1,500多次，改道26次。这一历史事实凸显了确保黄河长治久安、推动全流域高质量发展的重大意义。

为满足黄河治理、开发与管理的实际需求，黄河水利委员会建立了“模型黄河”试验基地。基地建有小浪底至苏泗庄、花园口至东坝头等关键河段，以及小浪底库区和三门峡库区的实体模型。通过模拟来水和泄洪情景，研究人员能够观测河床演变过程，分析调水调沙运行中的泥沙运动规律。基地实验室还通过模拟自然降雨，推动生态修复与水土保持工作。这些试验为黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展这一复杂的系统工程提供了科技支撑。

作为中国三大河口三角洲之一，黄河三角洲滨海湿地在资源供给、环境保护和经济生产力提升等方面发挥着重要作用。在全球变暖引发的海平面上升及沿海地区经济快速发展所导致的人类活动频度和强度不断增加的双重压力下，这些因素已成为驱动黄河三角洲滨海湿地演变的主要力量。

Visiting Historical River Course Changes and Governance Achievements in the Yellow River Basin.

Exploring the Model Yellow River Laboratory.

Yellow River Soil and Water Loss Experimental Hall

In a study assessing inundation risks in the Yellow River Delta, 460 elevation data points were collected through field surveys to validate a reconstructed Digital Elevation Model (DEM). This ensures the model accurately reflects the true geomorphological features of the region, providing a reliable foundation for analyzing flood risks and informing sustainable management strategies.

在一项评估黄河三角洲淹没风险的研究中，通过实地勘测收集了460个高程数据点，用以验证重建的数字高程模型。此举确保模型准确反映该地区真实的地貌特征，为洪涝风险分析奠定了可靠基础，并为可持续管理战略制定提供了科学依据。

In addition, communication and exchange were maintained with relevant departments of various provinces in the Yellow River Basin during the project research process, and a series of seminars were held.

此外，项目在调研过程中始终与黄河流域各省区相关部门保持沟通交流，并组织召开了一系列研讨会。

Convene training meeting on the preparation and scheduling of provincial-level climate change adaptation action plans for the Yellow River Basin.

Departments Seminar in Qinghai Province.

Research and Exchange in Shandong Province.

Vision and Outlook

Looking ahead, relevant river basin stake holders and the government will implement the requirements outlined in key documents such as the Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Comprehensively Promoting the Construction of a Beautiful China, the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2035, and the Outline of the Plan for Ecological Protection and High-Quality Development in the Yellow River Basin. The goal is to fully develop a green ecological-economic belt along the Yellow River that fosters harmonious coexistence between humans and water. This initiative aims to create a regional exemplar for building a “Beautiful China” and advancing climate governance.

The PRC’s experience in climate adaptation can be shared with the international community, to enable the joint undertaking of adaptation projects, and to build bridges for communication, mutual learning, and collaboration among stakeholders worldwide. Through these efforts, strengthened partnerships can contribute to collective solutions for climate resilience and sustainable development.

愿景与展望

展望未来，黄河流域各利益相关方和政府将继续贯彻落实《中共中央国务院关于全面推进美丽中国建设的意见》《国家适应气候变化战略2035》《黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展规划纲要》等重要文件提出的要求，力求全面建成人水和谐共生的沿黄绿色生态经济带，打造“美丽中国”建设和气候治理深化的区域典范。

中国可与国际社会分享在气候适应领域的经验，推动联合开展适应项目，并为全球利益相关方搭建交流互鉴、合作共赢的桥梁。通过这些努力深化合作伙伴关系，能够进一步撬动提升气候韧性和促进可持续发展的集体解决方案。

Footnotes

Thanks to the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation and relevant local departments of ecology & environment, meteorology, and water conservancy for providing image materials and supporting the research work. 谨此感谢中国国家应对气候变化战略研究和国际合作中心，以及相关地方生态环境、气象和水利部门提供图片资料并给予本次调研大力支持。

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