Low Carbon News in China in November 2013
NDRC: overcapacity in the economy iscommon, supporting cross-district capacity replacement
15 Nov 2013｜China
Recently, commissioned by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China Iron and Steel Association held the steel industry conference in Beijing to implement the State Council on resolving serious excess capacity problem. Li Zhongjuan, deputy inspector of Department of Industry of National Development and Reform Commission pointed out that the overcapacity are common in some industries, there are even serious overcapacity, so regional capacity replacement will be supported to guide effective domestic production to more competitive businesses and region. (Source:http://finance.sina.com.cn/360desktop/roll/20130823/011316535466.shtml)
State Council investigating the Qingdao oil leak event
25 Nov 2013｜China
After Huang Wei Sinopec pipelines deflagration accident occurred on 11.22, many netizens questioned that more than seven hours from the crude oil leaked from deflagration occur but crowd did not evacuated. The State Department accident investigation team is conducting a comprehensive currently, survey results will be announced to the public. (Source:http://news.163.com/13/1125/14/9EHK06QA0001124J.html)
Heilongjiang province support residents to build solar power stations which can be incorporated into the national grid
25 Nov 2013｜China
Recently, Heilongjiang Province launched a new initiative to support solar power of the residents. As long as the conditions of residents are allowed, they will be able to apply for the installation of household solar modules to the power sector, setting up a small home power stations on the roof and outdoor .
According to preliminary estimates of the electricity sector, a small power plant investments 10,000 to 20,000 yuan, at least 10 kWh of electricity can be made to meet the normal residential electricity needs; if the home can not use up the power, the power can be acquired by the electricity sector, combining into the national grid.(Source:http://china.cnr.cn/yaowen/201311/t20131125_514224166.shtml)
China, EU tap market in urbanization partnership
25 Nov 2013｜China
China and European Union (EU) has made another step forward in enhancing their strategic partnership as cities and organizations of the two parties agreed to join hands in tapping China’s growing urbanization market.
Tianjin, Shenzhen and 10 other Chinese cities have signed partnership agreements with European cities and organizations during the 2013 China-EU Urbanization Partnership Forum held last week in Beijing.
(Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-11/25/content_17128599.htm)
China seen as major driver of renewable energy
23 Nov 2013｜China
China should build nuclear electricity generators on a large scale to reduce the burning of fossil fuels in its energy mix and set an example for the world, said British economist Lord Nicolas Stern.
“This is a front on which China could take strong leadership, showing technological progress and cost reductions that the rest of the world could emulate.”
(Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-11/23/content_17126322.htm)
China reiterates emission cut goal, reassures world
21 Nov 2013｜China
Xie Zhenhua, head of China’s delegation to the Warsaw Climate Change Conference reiterated on Wednesday the country’s goal of emission reduction, reassuring the world by its determination.
Xie said in his speech on the high level segment of the conference that China will continue to step up with its effort in tackling climate change, and make sure that the commitment of reducing CO2 emission per unit of GDP by 40-45% by 2020 from 2005 level is fulfilled.
(Source:http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-11/21/content_17121001.htm)
Change in energy mix encouraging
19 Nov 2013｜China
China is sending “encouraging” messages on climate change issues, and the country has “a huge amount” to teach the world in this area, said Andrew Steer, president and chief executive officer of the World Resources Institute.
Commenting on China’s decision to push forward the liberalization of water, petroleum, natural gas and electricity prices after the Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the head of the renowned environmental think tank and former special envoy for climate change issues at the World Bank said that he believes it’s a good move.
(Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/qingdao/2013-11/19/content_17121494.htm)
China on track to hit eco-targets early
18 Nov 2013｜China
China may achieve its 2020 target of energy efficiency ahead of schedule and will make even more ambitious proposals to realize low-carbon development for the years after 2020, senior climate advisers have said.
They said China’s non-binding plans to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon intensity in its economic output have mainly resulted from pressing domestic pressure to transform its extensive development patterns.
(Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-11/18/content_17111298.htm)
Sustainable and quality growth ‘to be achieved’
14 Nov 2013｜China
China’s deepened reform will lead to a more sustainable growth and help stabilize the global economy, experts said. A comprehensive reform package was rolled out at the four-day Third Plenum of the Communist Party of China’s 18th Central Committee, which ended in Beijing on Tuesday.
The Party pledged to let markets play a decisive role in allocating resources as it unveiled are form agenda for the next decade. A specialized high-level group is to be commissioned to design and coordinate China’s “great revolution” of reform and opening-up.
The reform package shows the government’s decision to advance ongoing market-based reform to achieve quality growth, said Wang Haifeng, a researcher at the Institute for International Economic Research of the National Development and Reform Commission.
(Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-11/14/content_17103832.htm)
Vice-premier stresses environmental protection
13 Nov 2013｜China
Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli on Wednesday stressed the important role ofenvironmental protection in China’s development.
“China will promote the ideal that protecting and improving the environment is protecting andimproving productivity and green, recycable and low-carbon development,” Zhang said in ameeting with foreign members of China Council for International Cooperation on Environmentand Development(CCIED).
(Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-11/13/content_17103447.htm)
Low-carbon development the way to go: report
12 Nov 2013｜China
China plans to cut carbon emissions relative to GDP by 40 to 45 percent by 2020, compared with 2005 levels. In order to reach the target, low-carbon development is necessary, said Wang, who is also head of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Low-carbon development means a minimal output of greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change. Statistics show China emitted more than 9.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide in 2012, nearly 27 percent of the world’s total.
(Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/guizhou/guiyang/2013-11/12/content_17099851.htm)
Facilitating greener growth
12 Nov 2013｜China
China’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) seeks to promote “inclusive growth,” which means ensuring the benefits of economic growth are distributed to a greater proportion of Chinese citizens. The plan’s key themes are rebalancing the economy, reducing social inequality and protecting the environment.
The government has introduced a series of measures aimed at getting its pollution problem under control. A target has been set to reduce the number of carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 17 percent. The government also set a target for reducing emissions intensity in key industries by 30 percent by the end of 2017, and it is committed to producing 16 percent of its primary energy from renewable sources by 2020.
(Source:http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2013-11/12/content_17097358.htm)
Shanxi Energy-saving – Emissions-reduction Expo
8 Nov 2013｜China
The recent 3rd Shanxi Energy-savings and Emissions-reduction Expo, in the city of Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province had an array of technologies for new energy, cleaner energy, environmentally sound building materials, industrial emissions-reduction and energy-saving on display and resulted in contracts worth 50 million yuan.
The theme of the three-day event, which ended on Nov 3, was “Green, environmentally sound, recycling, and low-carbon”, with four exhibition areas covering energy saving and emissions reduction and recycling economic developments, energy-saving and environmental-protection technology and new products, new energy, and emissions-reducing construction.
(Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/shanxi/2013-11/08/content_17098140.htm)
Exhibition Special: Trade show exhibits greeninnovations
8 Nov 2013｜China
The 2013 China International Green Innovative Products and Technologies Show opens onNov 8 in Guangzhou.More than 400 enterprises from more than 10 countries are participating in the four-day showin the capital of Guangdong province to showcase their new green products and technologiesand seek international cooperation in green economy.
Launched in 2011, it is the country’s most influential international exhibition of green industries.
(Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-11/08/content_17089560.htm)
Step backward for low-carbon strategy
7 Nov 2013｜China
Record smog in October shut down Harbin, a city of 11 million people in Northeast China. Officials blamed the poor air quality on increased coal consumption during the first days of winter heating, underscoring the urgency of implementing the State Council’s recently announced action plan to address air pollution.
But while the Air Pollution Control Action Plan has ambitious goals to cut air particulates and coal consumption it may put additional pressure on the country’s water supply.
(Source:http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2013-11/07/content_17087974.htm)
Schools to be closed for air pollution
6 Nov 2013｜China
China may take a flexible approach to working hours and suspend schools in theworst cases of air pollution, a government circular said on Wednesday. Reducing air pollution, particularly the heavy smog which frequently smothers large cities,especially in the north, has become a high priority in China.
When the highest warning is issued a wide variety of measures can come into force, includingclosure of factories, restrictions on vehicle use, dust controls and a ban on outdoor barbecues,according to the circular from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Large-scale outdooractivities should cease; kindergartens, primary and middle schools should suspend classes;businesses and institutions should adopt flexible working hours.
(Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-11/06/content_17086321.htm)