NRDC China Environmental News Alert
Posted May 8, 2009 in Greening China
NRDC has been working in China for over twelve years on such issues as energy efficiency, green buildings, clean energy technologies, environmental governance and public participation, 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.
May 1, 2009 - May 8, 2009
China solar set to be 5 times 2020 target
According to an NDRC researcher, China is on target to pass its solar power capacity goals for 2020 by more than fivefold and possibly tenfold. Wang Zhongying, assistant director at the NDRC's Energy Research Institute, said that the original target was set too low and predicted that China can reach 10,000 MW or more by 2020.
Reuters (May 5, 2009)
Gov't to issue support plan for renewable energy development
China is working on a support plan for its renewable energy industry that will raise its wind power capacity to 100-150 million KWh by 2020, significantly greater than the original plan to achieve a wind power capacity of 30 million KWh by that time. China has already achieved a total wind capacity of 12.15 million KWh in 2008, up 89 percent from the previous year.
Xinhua (May 5, 2009)
China studying carbon tax ideas - report
A Chinese state think tank will soon issue preliminary proposals for a carbon tax. The research, done at the request of China's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Environmental Protection, includes a package of possible taxes on environmental damage, including taxes on carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ammonia pollutants, and waste water.
Reuters (May 1, 2009)
China hydropower "subprime carbon" flood may slow
China's booming hydropower sector is increasingly facing criticism for generating "subprime carbon" credits from projects that could have otherwise stood alone, violating the fundamental tenet of additionality. Chinese hydropower projects account for almost half of the country's estimated $14.6 billion CDM-related revenues.
Reuters (May 6, 2009)
Beijing has 'cleanest month' in 9 years
With 23 blue-sky days and not one day with an API over 150 in April, Beijing enjoyed its best month of air quality since 2000. Experts attribute the improved air quality to the global economic downturn and recent government environmental protection measures, such as a ban on heavy-polluting vehicles.
China Daily (May 2, 2009)
China ready for post-Kyoto deal on climate change
After meeting with senior Chinese officials on clean energy partnerships, Britain's climate change secretary Ed Miliband said he was encouraged by Beijing's change in tone and suggested that China is ready to "do business" with developed countries to reach a climate agreement at Copenhagen. Miliband suggested that recent US efforts to fight climate change have "unblocked the negotiating process" and laid the groundwork for substantive engagement with Chinese officials.
Guardian (May 6, 2009)
Britain to help China on carbon capture
British energy secretary Ed Miliband said that the UK will assist China in the development of carbon capture and storage technology. Although seen as a way for Britain to meet its Kyoto promise to pass on low-carbon technology to developing countries, the move has raised questions over how much technology should be given for free.
Guardian (May 3, 2009)
Tibet challenged by global warming: CMA chief
China Meteorological Administration chief Zheng Guoguang said Wednesday that Tibet has felt some of the largest impacts of global warming, including accelerated glacial shrinkage and increased extreme weather conditions. Tibet's average temperature has been steadily rising, increasing at a rate of 0.2 degrees Celsius higher than the global average per decade.
Xinhua (May 6, 2009)
Related Article: Tibet most harmed by global warming
Energy-efficient lightbulbs poison hundreds of Chinese workers
Hundreds of Chinese workers have been poisoned while making the mercury-rich fluorescent light bulbs, raising questions as to how green the energy-saving bulbs really are.
Ecoworldly (May 4, 2009)
Due to rapidly declining prices of raw materials and help from government subsidies, solar energy is becoming increasingly popular in China. According to a Ministry of Finance statement, the government will grant $2.93 US dollars per watt for solar projects with a generating capacity of at least 50 kW
China Daily (May 5, 2009)
China increases investment on energy conservation and environmental protection
According to an NDRC official, China has invested CNY23 billion for energy conservation, emission control, and environmental protection since the fourth quarter of last year, accounting for roughly 10 percent of its total spending.
China CSR (May 7, 2009)
China's heavy investment in renewable energy and increasing grass-roots support for cleaner development gives analysts hope that China can achieve a "green miracle" to match its "economic miracle" of recent decades.
Telegraph (May 3, 2009)
EU expects more co-op on energy efficiency with China
Ambassador Serge Abou, head of a delegation for the European Commission to China, said that the EU expects to expand investment in energy-efficiency and environmental protection in China. Abou praised China's contribution of 57 percent of the world's certified emission reduction (CER), many of which were bought by European companies.
People's Daily Online (May 7, 2009)
Editorial: Low carbon zones: Road to a green future
A number of research institutes working with Chatham House in London have developed the concept of low carbon zones (LCZs) to help China create a new green economy. The LCZs would be similar to China's special economic zones (SEZs) in that they would be granted power to experiment with policy independent of the country as a whole.
China Daily (May 5, 2009)
CNOOC in 30 bln yuan coal-to-gas enterprise
A subsidiary of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, along with the Datong Coal Mine Group, with invest 30 billion yuan in a coal-to-gas project in Datong. The Chinese government views the coal-to-gas project as part of the path to lead China to energy savings and a cleaner environment.
China Daily (May 6, 2009)
China plans yet another ecocity but can it deliver?
Plans are being designed for a 4,000-acre sustainable city off the coast of Shanghai. Commentators doubt China's ability to complete the expensive eco-project, as similar high-profile plans have failed in the past.
Icon Review (May 7, 2009)
(CENA prepared by Jason Portner)
See our bilingual (English and Chinese) blog dedicated to discussion of China's environmental law, policy and public participation at http://www.greenlaw.org.cn.
