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.

August 29, 2009 - September 4, 2009

China and Copenhagen

In light of the upcoming climate negotiations to be held in Copenhagen in December, CENA will focus in the future on providing weekly updates on China's domestic climate and energy policies and its positions on the international climate negotiations.

 

China changes the climate debate

As the world approaches the international climate talks in Copenhagen, the possibility for a comprehensive climate agreement remains elusive:  while China insists on a consumer-based system that places burden for carbon emissions almost entirely on the demand-side, economists from the West argue that both a carbon tax on domestic pollution-heavy goods and a carbon tariff on imported pollution-heavy goods are necessary.  Many critics warn that should discussions continue to focus on who bears "moral responsibility" for carbon emissions, rather than developing technology to reduce emissions, the impasse will not result in a successor to the Kyoto Protocol of 1997.

Forbes (September 2, 2009)

Related Article:  Climate-summit agreement still far off

China's high price for emission cuts

A group of Beijing's leading climate economists predicted that the cost of reducing China's total greenhouse gas emissions is likely to reach $438 billion a year within 20 years.  Many developed nations fear that this figure will be used to bolster Beijing's argument for rich nations to share the cost of cutting emissions in developing countries, rather than impel China to begin investing in curbing greenhouse gases prior to 2030.

Financial Times (September 1, 2009)

Related Article:  Clean coal in China said to face 'staggering costs'

Another anti-pollution riot breaks out in China

At least 2000 riot police were deployed last weekend to control angry demonstrators in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, where a tannery and chemical plant have been blamed for causing a foul stench and high rates of cancer.  On the heels of another major protest in Shaanxi earlier last month, this latest altercation calls into question national environmental quality standards, government accountability and transparency, and public participation in environmental issues.

Guardian (September 2, 2009)

Villagers face tough choices after Chinese lead poisoning scandal

As villagers in Shaanxi Province's Fengxiang County await the Environmental Protection Bureau's assessment of the high-polluting Dongling smelter that caused over 850 children to become ill, the prospect of moving to the four nearby relocation sites has only heightened emotions for local families.  Many parents feel trapped in the polluted village because of limited employment options elsewhere and complications with transferring children to new schools.

Xinhua (August 29, 2009)

China reports new lead poisoning case

An industrial park in the southwest China city of Kunming has been blamed for poisoning over 200 children found to have excessive lead in their blood, the third such incident in China over the past month.  The local Environmental Protection Bureau has denied a direct link with industrial pollutants, instead citing exhaust emissions as causing the poisoning.

Reuters (August 31, 2009)

China gradually improves environmental transparency

The recently released Pollution Information Transparency Index (PITI), a joint project of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is an enormous step toward developing a national system for informational disclosure and environmental transparency.  Strengthened environmental governance is a vital component in China's path to reducing greenhouse gases and other forms of pollution.

Worldwatch Institute (August 31, 2009)

Related Link: watch an interview with Ma Jun of IPE and Alex Wang of NRDC at CCTV-9's Dialogue Focuses on Pollution Information Transparency Index (PITI)

 China resolves pollution case, avoids suit

A victory for environmental public-interest litigation was won in Qingzhen, Guizhou Province, where a pilot environmental court decided to resolve a complaint brought by the All-China Environmental Federation (ACEF) against a government body.  This is a major step in safeguarding public rights and interests, as the Ministry of Environmental Protection-affiliated ACEF is the first organization to pressure a government bureau to fulfill their environmental responsibilities.

Washington Times (September 2, 2009)

Himalayas 'vulnerable' to climate change

The main countries of Central and South Asia, including economic giants China and India, convened earlier this week to discuss the growing threat of Himalayan glacier recession and the need for a unified voice at the COP 15 international climate talks in December.  Rising temperatures in the Himalayan region has impacted over 700 million people, designating the area as a "hotspot" for international climate cooperation.

Asia News (September 3, 2009)

NPC Standing Committee passes climate change resolution (original Chinese source)

At the 10th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress last week, a resolution was released declaring the nation's active commitment to addressing climate change. The resolution, which details the "principles" of China's climate management as well as five practical measures to execute these goals, is the first time the Standing Committee has made a decision regarding climate change, signifying China's commitment to take the global issue seriously.

China News (August 29, 2009)

China relents a bit on regulation of rare minerals

China alarmed the international community early last week with a draft policy to ban exports on rare minerals such dysprosium and terbium, which are vital to high-technology industries.  Citing adverse effects on the environment that harvesting these minerals can cause, China clarified that it would not completely ban but only reduce exports, assuaging some-but by no means all-of the concerns of interested Western nations.

NY Times (September 3, 2009)

Moving forward with carbon capture plans

In response to accelerated global warming due to fossil fuel emissions, Huaneng Power International launched a 150 million RMB carbon capture project in Shanghai last month.  The second carbon capture program developed by Huaneng, the Shanghai project will be the world's largest fossil fuel plant to deploy the costly carbon capture technology and has the potential to reduce the plant's greenhouse gas emissions by 20 to 40 percent.

China Daily (August 31, 2009)

China to accelerate development of geothermal resources

China's Ministry of Land and Resources released ambitious plans to intensify the development and utilization of shallow geothermal energy over the next five years.  This program will greatly increase China's usage of renewable energy resources and curb dependence on high-polluting fossil fuels.

People's Daily (September 3, 2009)

Inner Mongolian coal mine conserves energy with German technology

Collaborating with the German-based Wirtgen Group, Shenhua Beidian Shengli Energy Company in Inner Mongolia hopes to make large-scale cutbacks in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with open caste coal mining.  Resonating with China's calls for research and financial support from developed nations to help with climate control, this exchange will hopefully set a precedent for future "green technology" development.

China CSR News (September 3, 2009)

Air pollution reducing 'good' rains in China

Sweden, the United States, and China collaborated on a recent study that found air pollution has greatly affected light rainfall in China:  from 1956 to 2005, days with rainfall less than 0.1 millimeter has decreased by 23 percent.  This study shows that air pollution not only negatively impacts the climate, but also the national economy and agriculture industry, which has been suffering its worst drought in 60 years.

AFP (September 1, 2009)

South China region boosts efforts to combat drought

The devastating drought in China is not isolated to the northeastern Provinces and Inner Mongolia region:  South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region announced Wednesday the addition of 20 million yuan to finance efforts to fight the hottest and driest weather the province has seen in the last 58 years.  Affecting over 600,000 people and nearly 300,000 livestock, the drought has required immediate attention from numerous local government departments, which have already allocated over 50 million yuan to fight drought.

China View (September 2, 2009)

China to formulate new system of food safety standards

Chinese vice Minister of Health Chen Xiaohong announced that the government is in the process of formulating a new system of food safety standards that will promote public health and be more compatible with international norms.  The announcement follows the recent ratification of a new food safety law that went into effect on June 1st this year; the new system shows the government's efforts to reduce repeating food scandals and boost consumer confidence.

China View (September 1, 2009)

(CENA prepared by Stephen Leonelli)

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.