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 27, 2010 - March 5, 2010

China drafts 10-year plan to raise 'clean energy' to 15 pct of total use

Under a 10-year energy plan, China plans to have clean energy account for 15% of its total consumption.  The government will increase building nuclear and solar plants and wind farms, as well as increase research on renewable energy.  This plan also benefits China’s goal of cutting carbon intensity by 40-45% by 2020 from 2005 levels and eases expensive oil imports and polluting coal use.  Last year, renewable energy accounted for 9.9% of China’s total energy consumption, up from 8.5 the previous year.  The plan is not yet fully public.

Associated Press (March 2, 2010)

 

Low-carbon lifestyle finds support at China's "two sessions"

The annual conference of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC) used notepads and document bags made of calcium carbonate, promoting the low-carbon alternative to paper, which is also about 20 to 30% cheaper than ordinary paper.  Wang Baojun, deputy to the NPC called for a low-carbon lifestyle for the whole society, through more low-carbon development, education and publicity campaigns.  The use of calcium carbonate paper at the sessions signifies the sessions’ priorities of boosting energy conservation and emission reduction as steps towards creating a low-carbon economy.

Xinhua (March 3, 2010)

Related Article from Xinhua: China to build industrial system of low-carbon emissions

 

China says moving to enforce greenhouse gas goals

In the next five-year plan, the Chinese government said it would detail greenhouse gas emission goals and monitoring for regions and sectors.  The goal would allow greenhouse gas emissions to rise, but at a must slower rate than economic growth.  The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress said the government would use a “statistical monitoring and assessment system to ensure greenhouse gas emission goals are met.”  Though many developed countries say that China’s goal of a 40-45% carbon intensity reduction by 2020 on 2005 levels is not enough action from the world’s biggest carbon emitter. 

Reuters (February 28, 2010)

 

In China, Wal-Mart presses suppliers on labor, environmental standards

As serious pollution now threatens China’s economic growth, Wal-mart has taken action.  Wal-mart has over 10,000 suppliers in China and has begun to require their suppliers to implement energy saving techniques, have better wastewater treatment, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Ma Jun of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs says this is a vital example for other companies to take initiative to ensure their Chinese supply chains are abiding by environmental standards: "Wal-Mart says if you're over the compliance level, you're out of business. That will send a powerful signal."  However, skepticism remains and only results will tell of the effectiveness of Wal-mart’s plan.

The Washington Post (February 28, 2010)

Related Article from Environmental Leader: Wal-Mart pushes energy efficiency on Chinese suppliers

Officials in China at odds over food scandal

A new scandal has emerged in Sanya in Hainan province.  Batches of cowpeas have tested positive for the toxic pesticide isocarbophos, which has already been banned for use on fruits and vegetables, and banned in Hainan in 2004.  Wuhan agriculture bureau officials announced that it had destroyed 3.5 tons of toxic cowpeas from Hainan, which sparked anger from Sanya officials, saying Wuhan officials could have come to them privately with the issue.  Since then many provinces have banned the sale of Hainan cowpeas.  This follows many food scandals in China, including the melamine in milk scandal, and officials fear these reports will increasingly highlight corruption and poor regulation within the government.

New York Times (March 2, 2010)

Related Article form Associated Press: China official wanted toxic bean case hushed up

 

Coastal development threatens ecosystem

Authorities announced that the increase in coastal construction projects might threaten the biological diversity in the ecosystem and increase flood risks.  China’s offshore project construction in the past year reached 66 billion yuan (9.7 billion USD).  Land reclamation is claiming offshore wetland, which damages the marine ecosystem, and affects water currents that hinders fish from swimming to areas to lay eggs.  The State Oceanic Administration is taking measures to prevent illegal land reclamation and supervise the ocean development plan.  Wetlands also help control floods and soil erosion and house many greenhouse gases.

China Daily (March 3, 2010)

 

China may start its first city-wide carbon cap-and-trade system

China may start its first city-wide carbon cap-and-trade system by June.  Tianjin plans to impose mandatory on energy used for heating buildings in the first half of this year.  Property managers that are able to keep energy use below the limit will earn credits that they can then sell.  Arreon and the Tianjin Climate Exchange established this Tianjin program, which is the first market-based carbon-trading scheme.  Beijing and Shanghai are also working to develop carbon trading programs as well as emissions trading programs, to help China reduce their carbon intensity by 40-45% by 2020 compared with 2005 levels.

Bloomberg (March 4, 2010)

 

Weather shines brightly on future green energy

China’s meteorologists are analyzing weather patterns such as sunshine and wind-speed to determine the best location for new wind-based power plants for producing renewable and clean energy.  The meteorologist team receives about 400 million pieces of data a day from 400 towers that measure wind speed.  A census on the development of wind resources is also due to come out later this year.  China has been stepping up research of these “climatic resources” in efforts to build a low-carbon economy.

China Daily (March 4, 2010)

 

Thirst is building for tiger bone wine

Demand for tiger bone wine has grown in celebrations of this Year of the Tiger and has drawn concern from conservationists and animal rights groups.  Tiger bone wine is known as a Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism, and sells for around 25,000 yuan a bottle.  Though China has a national prohibition in dealing in Tiger parts and bones (imposed in 1993) the underground industry is flourishing through online trading.  This industry is further endangering a species on the brink of extinction.  Tiger farms are also a huge threat to tigers, of which only 20 wild tigers are thought to be left in China.

Xinhua (March 1, 2010)

 

China to spend 310 mln yuan protecting Tibet's wetlands

China’s government will spend 310 million yuan (45.4 million USD) over the next few years for protecting Tibet’s wetland ecosystem for a plan of implementing three kinds of eco protection projects over the next 25 years.  The first survey shows that Tibet’s lake, marsh and river wetlands cover six million hectares, and 10 percent of China’s total wetland area. So far Tibet has built a national-level wetland nature reserve and eight regional-level ones.

People Daily Online (March 2, 2010)

Related Article from China Daily: Beijing to invest $1.5b in Tibet environment

(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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