China counts £130bn cost of economic growth and other environmental news

NRDC has been working in China for fifteen years on such issues as climate, energy efficiency, green buildings, clean energy, governance and law, health, and green supply chain issues. This China Environmental News Alert is a weekly compilation of news from around the world on China and the environment.
December 25, 2010- December 31, 2010

China counts £130bn cost of economic growth
The Guardian (December 28,2010)
According to a government report, the value of China’s environmental degradation in 2008 was estimated to be 1.3 trillion yuan, or 3.9% of the country’s GDP. The figure accounts for pollution, soil deterioration, vanishing wetlands, and other various impacts. The price could be even higher than reported, however, as the report did not consider factors like the loss of biodiversity or the effects desertification. 

In China, illegal rare earth mines face crackdown
New York Times (December 29, 2010)
A rash of illegally operated rare earth mining operations in the southeast of China has gained the attention of national and provincial level officials, especially in light of recently announced rare earth import reductions. Rogue operations produce half of the world’s supply of heavy rare earths, with legal state owned operations accounting for the rest. Most illegal mines are coordinated by organized crime syndicates and gangs, and are characterized by rampant pollution. 

China to exempt consumption tax on biodiesel
Reuters (December 27, 2010)
China’s Finance Ministry has announced a consumption tax exemption for all biodiesel fuels produced from waste animal fat or vegetable oils. The move is retroactive, and the ministry will refund taxes paid over the last two years. Such a decision will make the production of biodiesel cheaper by $135 per metric ton. China hopes that biodiesel will become a competitive industry in the renewable energy push, with officials planning for 2 million tons of production by 2020. 

China to enforce new regulations on e-waste recycling
CRIEnglish (December 29, 2010)
New regulations penalizing electronic waste violators have been passed to promote China’s efforts to institute comprehensive utilization of resources. Violators could face fines ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 yuan, and apply to illegal recycling centers lacking certification. Illegal electronic waste recycling severely pollutes neighboring regions, with an estimated 30 million various electronic units dumped in China annually.

New cars in Beijing cut by two-thirds to battle traffic
BBC News (December 24, 2010)
City authorities will allow 240,000 cars to be added to Beijing roads in 2011, only a third of this year’s total. The solution is not meant to be a comprehensive move in combating air pollution and Beijing’s crippling traffic situation, but is meant to improve the situation in the short term. Registrations will be allotted through a lottery system. There are currently 4.8 million cars registered in Beijing. 

China mulls GMO food law, grain law ready in 2011
Reuters (December 27, 2010)
The issue of national genetically modified organisms has been brought to legislative attention recently, with possible ordinances addressing the control of both GMO foods and other genetically modified crops. China is currently the world’s largest producer of genetically modified cotton, but has been more cautious of accepting genetically modified foods. Genetically modified rice is slated to be introduced in the next two to three years, despite public controversy.

Billions for water resources project
China Daily (December 25, 2010)
An expected 200 billion yuan will be invested in constructing water conservation projects and improving the nation’s irrigation system. The move is an effort to protect China’s already limited water supply, and provide extra security for agricultural and grain output. In the next ten years, officials are hoping that the country can double its current average annual investment in water conservation.

CDC expert find cancer link to Huaihe River
People’s Daily Online (December 29, 2010)
After five years of studies, the Chinese Center for Disease Control has found evidence that there are viable connections between pollution found in the Huaihe River and the numerous cancer cases in the nearby vicinity. Officials believe that the connection could help citizens improve their case for compensation in courts, although expectations are still somewhat tempered.

China to raise tax on small cars Jan.1
Washington Post (December 28, 2010)
After a year of tax exemption, consumers will be subject to a 10% sales tax on all small car purchases as Chinese officials try to control the country’s surging auto industry. Industry experts expect sales to be affected, but are confident that the announcement will not hinder growth by too much. Last year, for the first time in history, there were more cars sold in China than in the United States. 

Trees planted in China to neutralize carbon emissions of UN conference
iStockAnalyst (December 28, 2010)
Over the next ten years, a 333 hectare forest will be planted in China’s Shanxi Province in efforts to offset the carbon footprint of October’s Tianjin Climate Change Conference. The forest will sequester an estimated 120,00 tons of carbon. China decided months ago that the conference was to be completely carbon neutral. The reforestation effort will cost $565,000, and will employ local villagers to tend to the project. 

Three killed, 21 poisoned in chemical plant accident
Xinhua (December 23, 2010)
Three people were killed, and 21 more poisoned in toxic gas accident in China’s Ningxia region. Many people showed symptoms of being poisoned by an unconfirmed gas, as investigations continue as to the cause and origin of the incident.

(CENA prepared by Phillip Yang)
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