China Environmental News Alert

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.

February 20, 2010 - February 26, 2010

Tackling climate change 'urgent,' Hu says

As China is preparing its development plan for the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), Hu Jintao has called for more action towards reaching China’s goal of reducing carbon intensity by 40 -45% from 2005 levels by 2020.  Hu stated that China must recognize the “importance, urgency and difficulty of dealing with climate change,” and further stated that China must design a socio-economic strategy in line with climate change needs.  Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen also recently praised China’s efforts during the Copenhagen summit, despite other skepticism towards China.

China Daily (February 24, 2010)

 

China says no emissions cap for now

Su Wei, China’s lead negotiator during the Copenhagen climate summit, said that China’s carbon emissions will continue to increase because of China’s fast economic development, and further, that China “could not and should not” set an upper limit on emissions at this point.  Su said China’s 40-45% carbon intensity reduction goal would still be laid out in China’s next two Five-Year Plans.  However, Su’s statement appears to stand in contradiction with Hu Jintao’s call to take immediate action on reducing carbon emissions, and also shows trouble ahead for reaching a climate deal in upcoming negotiations.

Agence France Presse (February 25, 2010)

Related Article from China Daily: 'No intention' of capping emissions

 

China's green groups start year of the tiger with consumer campaign

A campaigned launched by 34 prominent NGOs urges consumers to make green consumer choices.  With the increasing spending power of China’s growing middle-class, this initiative could play an important role in protecting the global environment.  The green movement uses purchasing power to punish polluting companies by refusing to buy polluters’ products.  The first “green consumer report” lists twenty companies to boycott, including China’s biggest instant noodle maker, Master Kong.  These companies have violated discharge standards, some have had pollution spills, and others lack environmental information transparency.

The Guardian UK (February 23, 2010)

 

Tainted milk leaves sad legacy

In 2008, the tainted milk scandal left six children dead and 300,000 ill from milk contaminated with chemical melamine, used to mimic protein.  A new study shows that six months after consuming the milk, one in ten children who were sick still show signs of kidney damage.  The study indicates that up to 30,000 children could have long-term health problems after drinking contaminated milk.  The study was conducted near the manufacturer, Sanlu Dairy Products in Shijiazhuang, and found that 48 of 7,933 children younger than 3 years old had kidney stones.  This raises majors concerns about long-term health and medical treatment and compensation for children affected by the scandal.

China Daily (February 24, 2010)

 

Looming water crisis in China threatens growth, report says

A report released by the Asia Water Project in Hong Kong warned that China’s development and growth might be hindered by the increasing scarcity of water.  Scarcity and pollution of water particularly affects steel, textile and paper products, which are all water-intensive industries.  Desertification has also increased demand for water, and since the price of water is kept low by the government, many may not realize the urgency and severity of the crisis.  Securing water could mean securing the future of China’s corporate and economic expansion.

Bloomberg (February 25, 2010)

 

China's soil deterioration may become growing food crisis, adviser claims

China’s overworked, polluted soil needs to be protected and rehabilitated in order for China to be able to grow enough crops and ensure food security.  Food security is especially a challenge with the high number of Chinese farmers urbanizing and moving to cities.  The causes of soil deterioration are due to poor farming techniques and industrial pollution.  Radical steps to increase production have been taken, such as creating genetically modified strains of corn and rice, and farmers must be encouraged to use less fertilizer and more natural fertilizer, to keep land arable and improve actual soil quality.

The Guardian UK (February 23, 2010)

 

China GM rice may be market-ready by 2013

Leading the way for a new wave of genetically modified (GM) cultivation in China, the first strains of GM corn and rice that were approved last year could be ready to sell in three years.  The GM rice is resistant to certain insects, and the corn -phytase maize- is said to help pigs and chickens absorb more nutrients.  Before it is commercialized, seed tests for long-term viability and public education on the crops must be conducted.  Critics such as Greenpeace say that since these are food staples, long-term safety must be proven before they can be allowed to enter the market.

Associated Press  (February 24, 2010)

Related Article from The Hindu: Growing debate over GM foods in China

 

UNEP: China will be main source of IT e-waste

A United Nations Environment Program report has said that by 2020 the volume of IT waste will be four-times that of 2007, with China and India leading in toxic e-waste.  The U.S. is currently the largest producer of e-waste, with a volume of 3 million tons per year, and China comes in second with 2.3 million tons per year.  China needs to address this urgent problem by building better e-waste collection and management facilities.

China CSR (February 25, 2010)

 

China pollution concerns dash Hummer deal

Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery has failed to acquire General Motor’s famous Hummer brand, after it did not get approval from Chinese authorities.  The Hummer is known for being a large, gas-guzzling vehicle, the opposite of China’s goals to lower carbon emissions and promote low-fuel consumption vehicles.  Acquiring the Hummer would also have marred the image of Beijing’s environmental and economical priorities.

Industry Week (February 25, 2010)

 

China shrub shows biofuel promise

The poisonous jatropha shrub in China has shown promise as a biofuel, and could help China reduce dependency on imported crude oil.  Shenyu New Energy Co., Ltd., sees the shrub’s great potential in the biofuel industry and hopes to develop 82, 410 acres of jatropha in 2010.  Each jatropha seed produces 30 to 40 percent of its mass in oil, which can be processed to produce biodiesel for diesel-running cars.  Left over residue can be processed as biomass to power electric plants.  Jatropha’s significance could be huge:  if China can transform 12.4 million acres of wasteland into jatropha plantations by 2020, biofuel production could account for 40% of the current global jet fuel demand.

United Press International (February 23, 2010)

 

Three Gorges Dam champions clean energy program

As the Three Gorges Dam has been facing heavy criticism from many commentators about the dam’s potential negative environmental impacts, the Three Gorges Corporation now claims that the dam plays a role in reducing China’s total greenhouse gas emissions.  The corporation also received an award for contributing to China’s clean energy development, and has committed itself to embody a more environmentally friendly development course, including a new philosophy of ‘scientific development’ and ‘harmonious society’ for China.  The dam will save 50 million tons of coal every year, the corporation claims, as well as prevent acid rain and diminish greenhouse gas effects for east and central China.

People’s Daily Online (February 23, 2010)

 

China, other countries give hope to endangered bird: UN report

International conservation efforts have given hope to the critically endangered Siberian crane.  The increasing loss and draining of wetlands, where the birds stop during migratory routes, have threatened their survival.  But China, a migration location for the birds during winter, has minimized livestock wetland grazing impact on the northeastern Songnen Plain, and has helped local herdsmen control animal grazing on wetlands.  The project has been largely successful in the China region, and hopefully continued efforts in Russia and Kazakhstan will help protect these cranes as well as other migratory water birds.

Crienglish.com (February 25, 2010)

 

China to release pollution-fighting fish in lake

The Taihu lake, which spans Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, has been seriously polluted by industrial and agricultural waste, which has caused the lake to be filled with blue-green algae that has also tainted million of residents’ drinking water supply.  Authorities plan to release 20 million algae-eating fish into the lake for clean up.  Government and public donations will fund this project and some say it is good for the local fishing industry as well, even though the fish are feeding on toxins.  These “algae blooms” are caused by high concentrations of nitrogen from fertilizers and detergents.

Agence France Presse (February 22, 2010)

 

China to revise rule to control animal feed quality

Over the past few years, illegal animal feed additives have caused cases of human poisoning, leading China to require stricter controls on animals feeds and additives.  This regulation requires animal feed producers to set up quality control facilities, and producers must also renew licenses every five years. Imports of animal feed and additives also have to be registered and approved.  These regulations were formed retroactively following major incidents, such as in 2006, when more than 300 people in Shanghai were poisoned from drug-contaminated meat.

Alibaba (February 22, 2010)

 

(CENA prepared by Sabrina Orlins)

* The links and article summaries in this post are provided for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

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