Serious environmental issues, especially soil erosion and land degradation, caused by productive and constructive engineering in China have not gained due attention as those issues caused by natural factors, such as rainfall, wind or Freeze-thaw. Four field investigations together with a statistical study have been carried out in China to analyze environmental problems caused by clean energy projects, i.e. photovoltaic power and wind power projects, that are considered to have huge potential to replace traditional energy. The investigations show that these projects brought problems of land degradation, threatening safety and ecological degradation. Statistical analysis indicates that the number of productive and constructive engineering causing soil erosion was increasing year by year and reached 42.67 × 104 km2 from 2003 to 2018, the corresponding scope of soil erosion prevention and control responsibility was 23.22 × 104 km2. Finally, seven policy suggestions to deal with these environmental issues are proposed, which can provide reference and guidance for the future clean energy projects and other construction projects in China or other countries. We hope that a thorough understanding of the unsustainable development that leads to the deterioration of the environment in current cases will enhance the awareness of environmental protection and contribute to the implementation of policies that will promote sustainable development.