NRDC China Environmental News Alert
Posted March 20, 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 14, 2009 - March 20, 2009
China's ‘Green' Goals Seen Slipping in Stimulus Plan
Worrying environmental groups, China decided to cut environmental funding in its stimulus package by 40 percent. NRDC attorney Alex Wang urges the government to invest in energy efficiency and clean energy in China to both improve the environment and make China's economy more competitive.
Bloomberg (March 16, 2009)
Wind farms change the air in China
NRDC China program director Barbara Finamore speaks on "Marketplace" about China's energy consumption in a spot highlighting the country's heavy investment in wind energy.
American Public Media (March 16, 2009)
China wants importers to cover some emission costs
Director of China's Department of Climate Change Gao Li argued Monday that countries that buy Chinese goods should be held responsible for the carbon dioxide emitted by the factories that make them. The proposal, made at a Pew Center on Global Climate Change forum, could complicate efforts to agree on a global plan to reduce greenhouse gases at the upcoming climate negotiations in Copenhagen.
Reuters (March 16, 2009)
Also see: U.S., China worlds apart on climate change curbs
China expected to reach green goal a year earlier
China is on track to meeting its sulfur dioxide emission reduction goals in 2009, a year early than originally planned. China has already reduced sulfur dioxide emissions to 2005 levels, bringing it close to its overall target of 10 percent reductions laid out in the most recent Five-Year Plan.
China Daily (March 18, 2009)
China's green champion sidelined
Pan Yue, the Chinese government's leading defender of the environment, has been quietly sidelined in recent months. Environmentalists fear this signals a shift in government priorities that will result in reducing the prominence of environmental issues in order to tackle the economic downturn.
Guardian (March 12, 2009)
China minister rejects U.S. pollution duty idea
Xie Zhenhua, head of China's Climate Change and coordinating Committee, argued that adding tariffs on some imports from countries that do not place a price on carbon is protectionist, a move that the Obama administration is considering. The comments come after US Energy Secretary Steven Chu told a congressional panel that if other countries do not impose a cost on carbon emissions, the U.S. will be at a disadvantage once it enacts its own limits.
Reuters (March 18, 2009)
60,000 alternative-energy vehicles to hit roads by 2012
China is expected to have 60,000 alternative-energy vehicles by 2012, most of which would be used for public transport. In addition, as part of efforts to save energy and reduce emissions, China will promote large-scale use of LED lighting and solar and wind energy.
Xinhua (March 20, 2009)
Developments in China's forestry sector
According to statistics recently released by the State Forestry Administration, China has made significant progress with artificial forest preservation, the establishment of nature reserves, and increasing urban vegetation. However, desertification is becoming increasingly severe, with 18.12 percent of the nations territory desertified.
Xinhua (March 20, 2009)
China to build four power stations with renewable energy
The National Development and Reform Commission approved the construction of four clean-energy projects estimated to cost in the region of Rmb19.8bn. The wind power plants and hydropower stations, with a combined capacity of 2,001 megawatts, are planned in Sichuan, Guizhou, Jiangsu and Hebei provinces.
Xinhua (March 13, 2009)
China's first batch of electric light commercial vehicles sees mass production
China's leading light commercial vehicle producer, Naveco, recently launched distribution of new zero-emission and zero-pollution electric new energy light commercial vehicles. The launch marks the first time that the nascent industry has realized mass production and commercial use of electric vehicles.
People's Daily Online (March 16, 2009)
Chinese city honored first-class Mexico Water Prize
Guangzhou was honored the first-class Mexico Water Prize at the 5th World Water Forum on Wednesday. Guangzhou has significantly reduced its water pollution levels after a series of initiatives begun in 1997.
Xinhua (March 18, 2009)
Don't panic, it's organic: nature knows best
Amid rising concerns about food safety, health and the environment, and steadily rising income, a new organic food craze is spreading across China. Domestic organic market sales increased from nothing in 1995 to 73.3 million yuan in 2006.
Alibaba News Channel (March 19, 2009)
US$146 million invested for cleaning Dianchi
Kunming plans to spend 1 billion yuan to clean up Dianchi Lake, one of China's most polluted bodies of water.
China Daily (March 17, 2009)
China says US should hold up climate deal
China's chief climate negotiator Xie Zhenhua warned that inaction by the US Congress to fight global warming can hurt chances for a new treaty at the climate negotiations in Copenhagen. Xie also said that China is waiting for rich nations to provide funding and technology to help fight climate change.
AFP (March 19, 2009)
China's plans to build an "eco-city" has fallen through, bringing questions about how China can urbanize without the typical urban sprawl and if existing green development plans can finally be carried out.
Economist (March 19, 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/enblog.
