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Weekly News Digest
Climate Change in China
June 16 - July 4, 2008
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ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
National Wind Power Capacity Expected to Reach 10 million kW
China Climate Change Info-Net, 6/26/08
Zhou Xian, the Director-General of the National Energy Bureau, said that the national wind power capacity is expected to reach 10million kW by the end of this year and 20million kW in two years. China will soon become the country with the most wind power in the world.
Zhou introduced China's wind power situation at the opening-ceremony of the WIND POWER ASIA 2008. He said wind power capacity in 2007 exceeded 6 million kW, ranking fifth in the world, and additional 4.2 million kW is on its way. For the next step, China will accelerate the construction of 1 million kW-scale wind power plants. Meanwhile, large-scale wind power plant constructions in Hexi Zoulang, coastal regions, and Inner Mongolia will also be put onto agenda.
Experts believe that the large-scale constructions of wind power plants will not only help reduce the nation's carbon emission but also alleviate the effects of the Northwest Wind, which causes the dust storms in the north.
Source: http://www.ccchina.gov.cn/cn/NewsInfo.asp?NewsId=12955
BILATERAL DIALOGUES
Rising Significance of China-U.S. Dialogue on Energy and Environment
Caijing Magazine, 6/16/08
Some Sino-U.S. trade experts believe that China and U.S. are most likely to achieve gradual progress in the field of energy and environment, while there is little likelihood of breakthrough in the financial field.
The focus of the upcoming fourth round of the Sino-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue will be on increasing cooperation in the area of climate change and renewable energy. On the other hand, the importance of issues that has received most attention from the previous talk—such as the Renminbi exchange-rate reform and the financial institution reform—will decrease, with limited possibility of breakthrough.
Source: http://www.caijing.com.cn/20080616/69816.shtml
Jilin Province and EU Will Hold an Exhibition on Climate Change in Changchun
Xinhuanet, 7/2/08
From July 4 to July 13, Jilin People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries will hold an exhibition on climate change with the Delegation of the European Commission to China. The purpose of this international undertaking is to develop communication and cooperation between Jilin Province and EU through the environmental protection campaign.
This exhibition will touch on the issues of climate change, challenges in the fight against climate change, and the measures China and EU should take in order to address those challenges.
Source: http://www3.xinhuanet.com/chinan ... ontent_13704000.htm
China's First Overseas CDM Order Given to Cleanergy Investment
Net Ease, 7/4/08
Recently, Cleanergy Investment Service, a major domestic clean development mechanism (CDM) firm, has signed a contract with Vietnam's La Trong Hydropower Station, extending the cooperation in the CDM project. This is the first time that a domestic CDM firm has participated in an international CDM project, indicating a step forward in the overseas CDM market.
clean development mechanism (CDM): an arrangement under the Kyoto Protocol allowing industrialized countries with a greenhouse gas reduction commitment (called Annex 1 countries) to invest in projects that reduce emissions in developing countries as an alternative to more expensive emission reductions in their own countries
Source: http://news.163.com/08/0704/16/4G17RCAR0001125P.html
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
China Guodian Corporation Signs Carbon Emission Reduction Agreement with Lehman Brothers
China Electricity News, 7/4/08
On July 2, China Guodian Corporation and the British investment bank Lehman Brothers signed a carbon dioxide emission reductions purchase agreement. The agreement involves two of Guodian's million-ton coal-fired units in Taizhou, as well as two ultra-supercritical million-ton units in the Guodian Beilun Power Plant. These are the first ultra-supercritical CDM projects developed by the Guodian Corporation and are also the first CDM projects that seek buyers through international competitive bidding. The overall emission will be reduced by 4.2 million tons by 2012.
ultra-supercritical power plants operate at temperatures and pressures above the critical point—the temperature and pressure above which the working fluid no longer turns into steam but instead decreases in density when it is heated above boiling point.This results in higher efficiencies – up to 46% for supercritical and 50% for ultra-supercritical – and lower emissions than traditional coal-fired plant.
Source: http://www.cepn.sp.com.cn/bwtj/200807/t20080703_245545.htm
GOVERNMENT
Hu Jintao: Adhere to the Road to Sustainable Development and Strengthen Capacity to Tackle Climate Change
Xinhua Net, 6/28/08
The Politburo of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held the Sixth Collective Learning chaired by Hu Jintao, the General Secretary of CPC Central Committee.Hu emphasized that, with the heightened sense of responsibility for the long-term development of the Chinese nation and all human beings, we need thorough understanding of the implications and urgency of climate change, steadfast adherence to the road to sustainable development, tougher policy measures, comprehensive reinforcement of the capacity to tackle climate change, and consistent efforts for the sustainable development of China and the world.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/newsce ... content_8454350.htm
Focus: Tackling the Challenges in Energy Saving and Emission Reduction
Financial News, 7/3/08
On July 1, the State Council held the Leading Group Meeting to assess the 2008 plan for energy saving and emission reduction. The meeting emphasized that this year was a critical period in saving energy and reducing emission rates as outlined in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. Increased determination and efforts are needed to tackle the challenges and make a breakthrough in the field of energy saving and emission reduction.
Source: http://www.financialnews.com.cn/ ... /content_129748.htm
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Clear Our Carbon Footprints
China Green Daily, 6/16/08
On June 3, the Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of Forestry Li Nuyun was invited to deliver a lecture to the cadres from Hainan about the concept of "carbon sinks". During the lecture, Professor Li gave a clear explanation of the terms such as carbon sinks and forest carbon sequestration. He also pointed out the significance of forest carbon sequestration in dealing with global climate change. With the aim of popularizing the concept of clearing our own carbon footprints, Mr. Li presented the potential value of the forests and advocated a low-carbon lifestyle to the audience.
carbon sinks: the natural ability of trees, other plants and the soil to soak up carbon dioxide and temporarily store the carbon in wood, roots, leaves and the soil forest carbon sequestration: the process by which carbon dioxide sinks remove CO2 from the atmosphere
Source: http://news.bjfu.edu.cn/show.aspx?id=15567
China Attains Simultaneous Reduction of Major Pollutants Emission for the First Time
Xinhua News Agency, 6/26/08
Wu Xiaoqing, the Vice Minister of Environment, said in Dalian on June 26 that China attained simultaneous reduction in the emission rates of major pollutants for the first time. Environmental protection industry has expanded more than 15 percent and its annual production value is expected to reach 1.1 trillion Yuan by the end of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.
Wu said that through strict emission management, emission control programs, and structural adjustment, national chemical oxygen demand and sulfur dioxide emission decreased by 3.14 percent and 4.66 percent, respectively, compared to the 2006 figures.
Source: http://env.people.com.cn/GB/7432806.html
Beijing: 1000 Yuan from Individuals or Enterprises Equal to 5.6-Ton Carbon Sink
China Climate Change Info-Net, 6/27/08
On June 26, Beijing established China Green Carbon Fund. The Fund is the first of its kind in Beijing focusing on increasing carbon sink and dealing with climate change. The Fund is established especially to facilitate research by enterprises and individuals on forests control, forest protection and management, vegetation recovery, eco-restoration and carbon trade. Every 1000 Yuan donation to the Fund could yield 5.6-ton carbon sink to the donors.
Source: http://www.ccchina.gov.cn/cn/NewsInfo.asp?NewsId=12985
China Has a Great Potential in Energy-Saving Emission-Reduction Market
Chang'an Jie News, 7/1/08
According to CNNEWS, Johnson Controls and the CDM Center of Ministry of Finance together held the 2008 China Energy-Saving Emission-Reduction and Sustainable Development Forum, aimed at addressing the challenges and opportunities that China is facing in the field of energy efficiency and sustainable development. At the end of the meeting, experts concluded that China has a great potential in energy-saving emission-reduction market.
Source: http://www.ccaj.net/html1/2008/7/1/f457192.shtml
Speed up the Low-carbon Reform
China Finance Information, 7/1/08
Moving toward a low-carbon economy is a way to deal with climate change, but it can also be an opportunity for economic prosperity on the other hand. An investigation by the Office of the National Energy Leading Group may prove that a low-carbon economy and development can co-exist.
Source: http://stock.cfi.net.cn/newspage ... tectCookieSupport=1
United Nations
Ban Ki-moon Calls on Developed Countries to Take Lead in Dealing with Climate Change
Xinhua Net, 6/27/08
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gave a speech on June 26, calling on the developed countries to take the lead in adopting concrete measures against climate change, food crisis and challenges brought by fast development. Before he started his trip to Japan, China, Korea and the G8 Summit, Ban made a statement from the U.N. headquarters that the interrelated problems of climate change, food crisis and development are the challenge to all human beings on the planet. He called on the international community to take immediate actions.
G8 (the Group of Eight): an international forum for the governments of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/newsce ... content_8448162.htm
UNDP Supports Climate Change Projects in Chinese Provinces
Chinanews.com, 6/30/08
According to the U.N. website, UNDP and its partners initiated a program on Monday with National Development and Reform Commission and China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchange, in order to help a number of Chinese provinces cope with climate change. Fourteen provinces will be benefiting from the project. According to the report, UNDP will offer $400,000 for the project, and additional $2 million will come from the Norwegian Government. Another 2 million-dollar fund from the European Union is currently under consideration.
Source: http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gj/gjzj/news/2008/07-01/1297963.shtml
WASTE MANAGEMENT
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State: Plastic Bag Regulation in China Sets a Good Example
China Internet Information Center, 7/3/08
On July 3, Ms. Claudia McMurray, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State heading the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, visited China Internet Information Center. Ms. McMurray remarked on Chinese government's regulation of plastic bags: "I congratulate China on setting a good example for us in this aspect."
Source: http://www.jjxww.com/show.aspx?id=114674&cid=114
WATER SAFETY & SECURITY
Academician Qin Dahe: Cryosphere Change Affects Water Safety in China
Educational News, 7/2/08
Qin Dahe, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, noted in an academic report at the recent Academician Conference that cryosphere change will have a significant impact on the water safety in Asia and China. Qin said that China was one of the countries most severely affected by cryosphere. The global warming will hasten the retreat of glaciers and intensify other environmental catastrophes, which will directly threaten the construction, operation, and maintenance of China's long-term arctic projects.
cryosphere: the portions of the Earth's surface where water is in solid form, including sea ice, lake ice, river ice, snow cover, glaciers, ice caps and ice sheets, and frozen ground (which includes permafrost)
Source: http://news.e21.cn/html/2008/kyg ... 643741159774937.htm
WILDLIFE
Expert: Global Warming Will Lead to Migration of Sichuan's Giant Pandas to the Northwest
China News, 7/3/08
Recently, the World Wildlife Fund reviewed and accepted a study by the Sichuan Climate Center, called "a Research on the Effects of Climate Change on the Habitat of Sichuan's Giant Pandas." The research indicates that giant pandas, the national treasure that inhabit in the eastern Hengduan Range and southern Qionglai Range, will be migrating toward the northwest over the next ten to thirty years in order to adjust to the climatic and ecological changes caused by global warming.
Source: http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2008/07-03/1301083.shtml |
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