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 20, 2010 - February 26, 2010
Tackling climate change 'urgent,' Hu says
As China is preparing its development plan for the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), Hu Jintao has called for more action towards reaching China’s goal of reducing carbon intensity by 40 -45% from 2005 levels by 2020. Hu stated that China must recognize the “importance, urgency and difficulty of dealing with climate change,” and further stated that China must design a socio-economic strategy in line with climate change needs. Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen also recently praised China’s efforts during the Copenhagen summit, despite other skepticism towards China.
China Daily (February 24, 2010)
China says no emissions cap for now
Su Wei, China’s lead negotiator during the Copenhagen climate summit, said that China’s carbon emissions will continue to increase because of China’s fast economic development, and further, that China “could not and should not” set an upper limit on emissions at this point. Su said China’s 40-45% carbon intensity reduction goal would still be laid out in China’s next two Five-Year Plans. However, Su’s statement appears to stand in contradiction with Hu Jintao’s call to take immediate action on reducing carbon emissions, and also shows trouble ahead for reaching a climate deal in upcoming negotiations.
Agence France Presse (February 25, 2010)
Related Article from China Daily: 'No intention' of capping emissions
China's green groups start year of the tiger with consumer campaign
A campaigned launched by 34 prominent NGOs urges consumers to make green consumer choices. With the increasing spending power of China’s growing middle-class, this initiative could play an important role in protecting the global environment. The green movement uses purchasing power to punish polluting companies by refusing to buy polluters’ products. The first “green consumer report” lists twenty companies to boycott, including China’s biggest instant noodle maker, Master Kong. These companies have violated discharge standards, some have had pollution spills, and others lack environmental information transparency.
The Guardian UK (February 23, 2010)
Tainted milk leaves sad legacy
In 2008, the tainted milk scandal left six children dead and 300,000 ill from milk contaminated with chemical melamine, used to mimic protein. A new study shows that six months after consuming the milk, one in ten children who were sick still show signs of kidney damage. The study indicates that up to 30,000 children could have long-term health problems after drinking contaminated milk. The study was conducted near the manufacturer, Sanlu Dairy Products in Shijiazhuang, and found that 48 of 7,933 children younger than 3 years old had kidney stones. This raises majors concerns about long-term health and medical treatment and compensation for children affected by the scandal.
China Daily (February 24, 2010)
Looming water crisis in China threatens growth, report says
A report released by the Asia Water Project in Hong Kong warned that China’s development and growth might be hindered by the increasing scarcity of water. Scarcity and pollution of water particularly affects steel, textile and paper products, which are all water-intensive industries. Desertification has also increased demand for water, and since the price of water is kept low by the government, many may not realize the urgency and severity of the crisis. Securing water could mean securing the future of China’s corporate and economic expansion.
Bloomberg (February 25, 2010)
China's soil deterioration may become growing food crisis, adviser claims
China’s overworked, polluted soil needs to be protected and rehabilitated in order for China to be able to grow enough crops and ensure food security. Food security is especially a challenge with the high number of Chinese farmers urbanizing and moving to cities. The causes of soil deterioration are due to poor farming techniques and industrial pollution. Radical steps to increase production have been taken, such as creating genetically modified strains of corn and rice, and farmers must be encouraged to use less fertilizer and more natural fertilizer, to keep land arable and improve actual soil quality.
The Guardian UK (February 23, 2010)
China GM rice may be market-ready by 2013
Leading the way for a new wave of genetically modified (GM) cultivation in China, the first strains of GM corn and rice that were approved last year could be ready to sell in three years. The GM rice is resistant to certain insects, and the corn -phytase maize- is said to help pigs and chickens absorb more nutrients. Before it is commercialized, seed tests for long-term viability and public education on the crops must be conducted. Critics such as Greenpeace say that since these are food staples, long-term safety must be proven before they can be allowed to enter the market.
Associated Press (February 24, 2010)
Related Article from The Hindu: Growing debate over GM foods in China
UNEP: China will be main source of IT e-waste
A United Nations Environment Program report has said that by 2020 the volume of IT waste will be four-times that of 2007, with China and India leading in toxic e-waste. The U.S. is currently the largest producer of e-waste, with a volume of 3 million tons per year, and China comes in second with 2.3 million tons per year. China needs to address this urgent problem by building better e-waste collection and management facilities.
China CSR (February 25, 2010)
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