US launches trade probe into China's green tech and other China environmental news

NRDC has been working in China for fifteen years on such issues as climate, energy efficiency, green buildings, clean energy, governance and law, health, 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.
October 16, 2010- October 22, 2010

US launches trade probe into China's green tech
China Daily (October 16, 2010)
The United States has initiated an investigation into Chinese policies and practices in the renewable energy sector to inspect China’s observance of WTO rules. The inquiry comes after a request from the United Steelworkers in September, in which questions of industry protectionism came to light. Under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, the US Trade Representative may request a consultation with the country in question when the investigation is initiated.

China to cut energy intensity by 17.3 pct by 2015
Reuters (October 18, 2010)
China has announced its plans to cut energy intensity by 17.3% between 2011-2015, compared to 2010 levels. The announcement is part of an effort to cut energy intensity by 31% by 2020, leading to a 16.6% reduction from 2016-2020. 

China said to widen its embargo of minerals
New York Times (October 19, 2010)
After having blocked shipments of rare earth minerals to Japan for the past month, industry officials have reported China having blocked shipments to the United States and Europe as well. Chinese custom officials have been said to be imposing border restrictions, after earlier denouncements were made by top Chinese officials regarding America’s trade actions. Chinese officials vehemently deny such embargos, and have yet to announce future export quotas. 

Beijing, fighting traffic, considers car limit
Wall Street Journal (October 21, 2010)
Beijing officials are considering limiting the amount of cars on the road in order to alleviate crippling traffic congestion. This is the first time officials have publicly mentioned limiting the number of automobiles, and could indicate a change in gridlock prevention policy. Since 2008, the city has implemented a reduction policy based on weekly driving allowances in accordance to license plate numbers, but with over 2,000 cars being added to streets on a daily basis, officials have been looking to more drastic measures. There is also hope that eliminating massive traffic jams will increase air quality, as stop-and-go driving causes more pollution than smooth travel. 

Shrinking arable land threatens grain security
China Daily (October 18, 2010)
China’s summer grain output fell by .3% from last year, the first decline in seven years for China’s summer grain quota. China has established a “red line” target to guarantee its arable lands never shrink to less than 120 million hectares; according to the Ministry of Land and Resources, available arable lands are just above 121 million hectares. Loss of arable lands has been mainly attributed to urbanization and economic growth, as well as the effects of encroaching desertification.

China's Zijin Mining sued over pollution
Reuters (October 16, 2010)
Two subsidiaries of China’s largest gold producer, Zijin Mining, have been sued by city government officials following this year’s massive pollution spill. Zijin Mining has already been fined $1.4 million for damages incurred after contaminating a nearby river, but authorities from Xinyi city is seeking another $3 million in reparations. 

New storms hit flood-ravaged China province, thousands evacuated
Xinhua (October 16, 2010)
Thousands have been evacuated from China’s Hainan Province following surging floods. Flooding of two nearby rivers has led to the destruction of property and crops in the region, as heavy rains are predicted to continue to fall. 

China sets up foundation to protect largest tropical rainforest
Xinhua (October 19, 2010)
China’s largest tropical rainforest, Xishuangbanna, will now be protected by a government- sponsored foundation in an effort to preserve the area’s extensive biodiversity. Located in the southwestern part of the Yunnan Province, the rainforest is home to a quarter of the country’s animal diversity, and one-sixth of the country’s plant species. 

Annual output of electric vehicles to hit 1 million by 2020
China Daily (October 16, 2010)
The Ministry of Science and Technology has predicted the number of electric motor vehicles to reach one million units by 2020. Twenty-five cities have joined the pilot program launched in 2009, designed to promote energy-efficient and new-energy vehicles. Public transport vehicles have also been targeted as ways to promote the growth of the industry. A total of $1.28 billion has been invested in the industry since the launch of the program. 

China invites tenders for first solar thermal power project
Xinhua (October 21, 2010)
China has begun accepting bids for its first solar thermal power plant located in Inner Mongolia. The 50 megawatt plant will be built on 100 hectares of uninhabited land, and is estimated to cost $240.5 million. The project was approved in 2007 by the NDRC, and will generate 120 million kwh of power. 

20 killed in China mine blast
Daily News & Analysis (October 16, 2010)
Twenty workers were killed, and another 17 trapped underground, after a gas explosion hit a coal mine in China’s Henan Province. China’s mining sector is already considered the most dangerous in the world, accounting for more than 2,600 mining deaths last year alone. More than 1,000 small mining operations have been shut down in this year in efforts to improve mining safety standards.

(CENA prepared by Phillip Yang)
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