Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the environmental protection industry [1] Core Views - The logic of improving solid waste quality and efficiency, along with cash flow enhancement, continues to be realized, while the construction of the national carbon market is strengthened and carbon constraints are tightening [1] - The report highlights the importance of cash flow improvements and dividend increases in the waste incineration sector, driven by reduced capital expenditures and enhanced operational efficiency [39] Summary by Sections Industry Trends - The environmental protection industry is experiencing a stable revenue growth, with the waste incineration sector's revenue reaching 23.2 billion yuan, a 1% increase year-on-year, and net profit of 5.1 billion yuan, an 8% increase year-on-year [10][13] - The report emphasizes the need for a market-oriented approach in water services, predicting significant cash flow improvements similar to those seen in the waste incineration sector [7] Policy Tracking - The central government has issued guidelines to strengthen the national carbon market, aiming for a more comprehensive coverage of industrial sectors and a robust carbon pricing mechanism by 2030 [35][36] - The report suggests that stricter carbon monitoring will increase demand for carbon monitoring equipment, benefiting companies like Snowy Dragon and Juguang Technology [38] Company Performance - **Huanlan Environment**: Achieved a net profit of 966 million yuan in H1 2025, a 28% increase year-on-year, with a significant contribution from its subsidiary [29] - **Green Power**: Reported a 24% increase in net profit in H1 2025, driven by increased waste incineration and operational efficiency [31] - **Haihua Entrepreneurship**: Experienced a 9.33% increase in net profit, with a focus on stable growth in waste disposal and energy generation [31] - **Yongxing Co.**: Increased its waste processing volume, leading to a 9% rise in net profit [32] Cash Flow and Dividends - The waste incineration sector is seeing a significant increase in free cash flow, with projections indicating potential dividend payouts reaching 50% to 150% in the coming years [40][41] - The report notes that companies are beginning to distribute dividends more actively, with Huanlan Environment initiating its first mid-year dividend [24][29]