Green exploration is the concrete embodiment of green development in geological work. China began green exploration relatively late. Up to now, there has not been a unified evaluation method and standard yet at the national level, which restricts the understanding of green exploration. With review of the national and local guiding principles and standards for geological exploration, the advances are summarized since the implementation of green exploration in China, and analysis is made of the policies and evaluation standards for geological exploration implemented in different ecological zones by major mining countries abroad. Finally, in view of geological exploration problems and current situation, regional distribution of mineral resources and economic situation in China, green exploration evaluation methods and criteria are proposed for different ecological zones. The impact of geological exploration is quantified, and it is recommended that exploration work should reach 95 points, 90 points and 85 points respectively in ecological conservancy areas, fragile areas and general areas to meet the green exploration criteria. It is proposed that China should change the geological exploration policies for ecological conservancy areas and fragile areas, so as to keep ecological environmental protection in pace with resource exploration and economic development.