A forum on ecological development opened in southwest China's Guizhou Province on Saturday.

Under the theme "Embracing New Era of Eco-civilization" , Eco Forum Global in Guiyang City, Guizhou's capital, will see more than 1,700 delegates from across the globe discuss topics ranging from sustainable development, climate change, green energy to finance, according to the forum organizer.

Three reports on sustainable energy, finance and national park management will be published during the forum.

The event is China's latest effort to enhance awareness to protect the environment, after its growth-at-all-costs economic model powered decades of explosive growth but tainted much of the country's air, water and land.

Environment Minister Chen Jining said earlier this month that "the Chinese environment is reaching or has reached its limit due to years of sprawling development at the price of environment".

The Chinese government has promised to take "more forceful" measures in the next five years to protect the environment and promote green development. The forum will conclude on Sunday.