NRDC China Environmental News Alert
Posted March 13, 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.
March 7, 2009 - March 13, 2009
Sino-US talks turning to action
China and the United States made detailed commitments on commercializing energy efficient technologies at the "Developing Effective Mechanisms for Energy Efficiency Implementation" forum in Beijing. To aid cooperation between the two countries, NRDC and China's National Development and Reform Committee will create a website as a platform for information sharing.
China Daily (March 9, 2009)
NRDC's China Program Director Barbara Finamore speaks with the USC's US-China institute and describes China's current environmental problems and what China is doing and needs to do in order to solve them.
US-China Today (March 6, 2009)
Jiangsu initiative could spark energy efficiency throughout China
NRDC China Program Director Barbara Finamore discusses Jiangsu's energy saving initiative, a program developed with the help of NRDC.
Interfax (March 10, 2009)
China to spend billions on tree-planting projects
In an effort to have 20 percent of its land covered by forests by 2010, China will spend 60 billion yuan annually on tree-planting campaigns. However, hopes of achieving these goals were hurt by successive natural disasters, such as the Sichuan earthquake and last year's snowstorm which damaged many forests.
Xinhua (March 12, 2009)
An upside to China's slump: cleaner air
The global recession has caused a decline in China's industrial production and power consumption, part of the reason that air pollution declined in 2008. In addition, environmental groups are encouraged that government leaders are linking environmental protection with economic recovery.
Time (March 11, 2009)
China's emissions a wild card as G-20 weighs global stimulus
Although environmentalists see the global economic crisis as an opportunity for China to reduce pollution, it is unclear whether the economic stimulus facilitates long term pollution reduction. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is calling for a global "green New Deal," while would help China survive the downturn while greening its economy.
New York Times (March 12, 2009)
Also see: Cars or Bicycles
China's big recycling market is sagging
China's once vibrant recycling industry has been hard hit by the global economic recession. With recycling losing its profitability, imported trash has been piling up, increasing worries about its effects on public health.
New York Times (March 11, 2009)
China says stimulus plan won't sacrifice environment
Vice minister of China's Ministry of Environmental Protection Wu Xiaoqing reaffirmed that China's massive stimulus package will not sacrifice the environment for the sake of economic growth. The ministry has already slashed 104 billion yuan worth of stimulus projects deemed harmful to the environment.
Reuters (March 11, 2009)
Also see: China's economic stimulus plans benefit environment
Polluting projects rejected or delayed
In an effort to couple economic recovery with environmental progress, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has rejected or suspended approval of 14 heavily polluting or high energy-consuming projects while the government works on combating the economic slowdown.
China Daily (March 12, 2009)
Renewable energy sector gets a big push
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has approved construction of two hydropower stations and two wind farms as part of the government's efforts to increase its use of renewable energy.
China Daily (March 13, 2009)
Hu, Obama set for green dialogue
When Hu Jintao and Barack Obama meet for the first time next month, green issues will be high on their agenda. During the meeting, the leaders will look for green opportunities in industrial development to combat the financial crisis.
China Daily (March 13, 2009)
Political advisor: Keep polluters from Yangtze River
Chen Qinghua, a top political advisor in Beijing, argued that China should enact tighter controls to keep potential polluters away from the Yangtze River. China has seen a recent increase in industrial accidents along major rivers, disrupting water supplies to major cities, most recently Yancheng.
Xinhua (March 7, 2009)
Int'l expo on energy saving, emission reduction to open in late-March
The 2009 China International Energy Saving, Emission Reduction and New Energy Science and Technology Expo will be held in Beijing beginning March 19th. The expo will be co-sponsored by 13 central government departments, including the National Development and Reform Commission.
Xinhua (March 10, 2009)
Water price 'needs to shoot up'
Hu Siyi, China's vice-minister of water resources, said Sunday that authorities need to initiate a price hike on water to accurately reflect the growing shortage. Others argue that a price hike is not the right solution, since it is factories, not individuals, who waste the most water.
China Daily (March 10, 2009)
Garbage crisis could soon hit Beijing
Beijing's garbage treatment facilities are already operating at overload and garbage amounts are growing at 8 percent per year. Beijing has a potential crisis on its hands, with the burden to existing facilities increasing the risk of garbage polluting groundwater.
People's Daily (March 9, 2009)
Beijing waste-burning power plants to be called off
The Ministry of Environmental Protection has halted the building of a controversial waste-fueled power plant in Beijing until its environmental impacts can be determined. Following protests from residents concerned about the plant's discharges, the ministry has announced that it will inform the public before approving the project.
Xinhua (March 11, 2009)
Environmental cooperation urged
In their first move to facilitate regional cooperation on environmental issues, the governments of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and Shanghai municipality will develop mechanisms to share air pollution data.
China Daily (March 13, 2009)
China group urges government to stick to green goals
Friends of Nature, a Chinese NGO, issued a letter to the National People's Congress urging them to continue with pollution reduction efforts despite the current economic slowdown.
Reuters (March 9, 2009)
Int'l entities to participate in Macao's environmental exhibition
At least 65 entities have confirmed attendance to the 2009 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition. Among the goals of the event, is to improve the development of the global environmental industry.
Xinhua (March 10, 2009)
China puts more algae-eating fish into polluted lake
Residents of cities around Taihu have donated one million yuan to buy tens of millions of algae-eating fish to curb the lake's choking algae growth. The growth of algae, a result of pollution, has killed fish and other aquatic life by removing oxygen from the water. The decaying fish release toxins into the water, severely disrupting drinking water supplies.
Xinhua (March 7, 2009)
Also see: New mechanism helps protect Taihu Lake
(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.
