| Air Quality, Energy, Transport, and Climate Change in China | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008-09-16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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CAI-Asia China Project E-Newsletter Issue No. 36, 2008 Included in this issue: - Environment monitoring satellites send back data - China and US signed the cooperation activity plan of bio-fuels - The first solar energy compensating e-vehicle of China comes out - Green tax considered to help cut emissions - Beijing EPB strengthens the monitoring of ambient polluted sources during Paralympics
AIR QUALITY - Facts Urumqi: good air quality happened in all first 10 days in September (September 14, 2008) Based on the data from Environmental Monitoring Center of Urumqi city, the air quality keeps good, Grade II Standard, from 1st to 10th of September, but no excellent air quality day appears. The API of the city is from 55 to 73 during the 10 days and the dominant pollutant is PM10. Chinese link: http://www.tianshannet.com/news/content/2008-09/14/content_3039723.htm
Chengdu: concentration of SO2 reaches Grade II Standard for the first time (September 11, 2008) According to the monitoring data of Chengdu EPB, the excellent and good air quality days reach 219, including 12 days above Grade I and 207 days above Grade II, and taking 89.8% of all days. The concentration of SO2 shows a decreasing trend, and decreased 30% comparing with 2005. The reduction amount of SO2 has exceeded 50 thousand tones. The daily average concentration of SO2 is 0.054 mg/m3 in the first eight months, and it is the first time that the concentration of SO2 in Chengdu city reaches the Grade II Standard. Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27323
Environment monitoring satellites send back data (September 9, 2008) China's newly launched environment monitoring satellites have started operation and are sending back concrete data, Chinese authorities have announced. The two satellites successfully sent back data obtained by the charge coupled devices (CCD) cameras at 5 p.m. on Monday and the images converted from the data were clear, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence said in a brief release. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/09/content_7011256.htm
- Initiatives Shandong: strengthen the management of straw burning (September 14, 2008) To avoid the air pollution and threat to the traffic safety caused by burning straw, Shandong province strengthens the management and enforcement to ban straw burning. The government will stop the burning as long as they find the fire point by the satellite remote sensing. Who burns the straw will be educated or punished. The local government who misgovern and cause air pollution will be seriously punished. Chinese link: http://www.sd.xinhuanet.com/news/2008-09/14/content_14397153.htm
Shanghai: Measures in place for green Expo (September 12, 2008) Following its success as a co-host of the Beijing "Green Olympics", authorities here Thursday outlined plans to ensure an equally environmentally friendly World Expo 2010. Zhang Quan, director of the Shanghai environmental protection bureau, said at a press briefing that an eco-town, or recycling park, is currently under construction to encourage the development of a circular economy. Meanwhile, Zhang said the city is also set to bring in a "total pollution load control" for nitrogen oxide, ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorous, which will add to the usual barometers for water pollution such as chemical oxygen demand. Volatile organic compounds, which are an organic chemical air pollutant, will also be placed under close watch and control, he said. Also at Thursday's press conference, the bureau outlined its fourth three-year environmental protection campaign, which is expected to start next year. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/12/content_7020682.htm
Battle against pollution 'paying off' – ministry (September 11, 2008) The country's battle to curb pollution is paying off, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said Wednesday. It said in the first half, there was further reduction in the discharge of major pollutants. Emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which belches from smokestacks and causes acid rain, fell by 3.96 percent compared to the same period last year, while the chemical oxygen demand (COD), a measure of water pollution, dropped by 2.48 percent. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/11/content_7017102.htm
Heilongjiang: reduction amount purpose of main pollutants to confirm (September 11, 2008) Heilongjiang Government launched the plan of reduction amount of main pollutants in 2008. According to this plan, the amount of COD emission will be limited in 478.7 thousand tones, reducing 9.3 thousand tones, 1.9%, on the base of 2007, while the amount of SO2 emission will be limited in 513.3 thousand tones, reducing 2.1 thousand tones, 0.4%, on the base of 2007. Chinese link: http://www.zhb.gov.cn/hjyw08/200809/t20080911_128549.htm
Shijiazhuang: good air quality days to be more and more (September 10, 2008) Shijiazhuang city, the capital of Hebei province, makes the plan to improve the ambient air quality in 3 years. In the plan, the excellent and good air quality days will try to reach 300 in 2008, 305 in 2009 and 310 in 2010. The annual average concentrations of PM10, SO2 and NOx will achieve the Grade II Standard. Chinese link: http://www.cenews.com.cn/xwzx/zhxw/qt/200809/t20080910_589626.htm l
ENERGY - Facts Energy: Sinopec continues cost cuts on oil rise (September 9, 2008) Asia's largest refiner Sinopec said it would further cut its capital expenditure as high crude oil prices erode earnings. The company will also optimize its investments to focus on the main business and key projects, the group said on its website yesterday. "The move is to reduce capital and investment risks," said Wang Tianpu, president of Sinopec Corp. "As global crude oil prices will remain high, China's petrochemical industry will see fiercer competition. Sinopec is now under big pressure in profit return and market supplies." "The company will control the construction progress of new projects, delay those that are not urgent and cut those that are not necessary," Wang said, without giving details. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/09/content_7011249.htm
-Initiatives Energy: Electricity tariff hike likely this year (September 12, 2008) China is likely to raise tariffs on electricity sold by power grids, with receding inflation giving regulators more flexibility to do so, the official China Securities Journal reported. Officials from the State Electricity Regulatory Commission said at a news conference yesterday that the commission has also submitted a report to the State Council, or cabinet, proposing measures for price reforms and improving the price formation mechanism, according to the report. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/12/content_7023736.htm
China and US signed the cooperation activity plan of bio-fuels (September 12, 2008) The deputy minister of MoST (Ministry of Science and Technology) attended International Broomcorn Producing Biofuel Convention in Huston, US, and signed the cooperation protocol of biofuel study, which aimed to improve the cooperation of China and US to develop and construct the conversion and machining techniques from broomcorn and other raw materials to ethanol. Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27366
Court will target energy waste (September 11, 2008) More will be done over the next five years to combat crimes involving officials wasting energy and resources, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said yesterday. Prosecutors will investigate job-related crimes that damage resources and the environment, and conduct synchronized investigations with other administrative departments on project-related major accidents, it said. "Anyone found guilty of corruption or dereliction of duty will be punished," the latest measures released by the SPP for the implementation of its 2008-12 Work Plan to Establish a System to Strength the Punishment and Prevention of Corruption state. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2008-09/11/content_7016620.htm
Lower inflation leaves room for energy price hikes (September 10, 2008) The slowdown in the rate of inflation to 4.9 percent in August could persuade the government to further raise energy prices in the coming weeks, according to a research note by Morgan Stanley. "Consumer inflation dropping below 5 percent strengthens our observation that Chinese policymakers have shifted their focus from preventing overheating and fighting inflation to supporting economic growth," the note said. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/10/content_7015824.htm
TRANSPORT -Facts The first solar energy compensating e-vehicle of China comes out (September 9, 2008) The first electric vehicle with compensation of solar energy comes out in Hefei, Anhui province in August 29. The new type vehicle has gained the national patent and been used in Sanya traveling area. Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27279
Zhengzhou: the first mix-drive bus to be used (September 9, 2008) The first mix-drive bus began to use on Sep. 4th. The bus is 13.7 meters long and costs more than 1 million yuan. It can use both diesel oil and electricity and is highlighted of its low energy exhaust and low emission. Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27281
-Initiatives Dongguan: emission examination for freight vehicles to start (September 12, 2008) Dongguan EPB takes special examination to emissions of freight vehicles in the whole city from 10 September to 10 December. The unqualified vehicles have to be maintained until pass the second examination. Based on the survey, the main “black tail” makers are freight vehicles and passenger vehicles, which unqualified rate are 65% and 40%, respectively, in recent years. Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27364
Jinan: another 50 green bus on the road (September 12, 2008) Jinan started to use another 50 green buses under EURO III Standard. it is the second group of green buses being used. So far, the transport company of Jinan city has 145 green buses in use. Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27360
OTHERS Green tax considered to help cut emissions (September 13, 2008) The authorities have started researching an environmental tax for polluters to cut their emissions, a top environment official said on Friday. Several government agencies have organized an inter-ministerial team and brought together experts to come up with a research paper on environmental taxes, Pan Yue, deputy minister of environment protection, said. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/13/content_7024801.htm
Environmental guidelines for firms investing abroad (September 12, 2008) China is drafting environmental guidelines for companies investing in or providing economic aid to overseas countries. The work is being undertaken by the Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning (CAEP), in cooperation with the Global Environmental Institute (GEI) and the University of International Business and Economics. The first draft is now being discussed, the GEI said. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/12/content_7022679.htm
China-Europe Forum to ponder cooperation opportunities (September 11, 2008) The third meeting of the China-Europe Forum, which opened here Wednesday evening, is expected to debate how to explore the opportunities of cooperation between China and Europe. During the three-day forum, keynote speakers are expected to dwell on a number of hot issues like bilateral trade between China and the European Union (EU), climate change and environment protection, and the prospects of China's development. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/11/content_7018586.htm
Two sides hope for China-India border solution (September 10, 2008) Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi wrapped up his three-day visit to India Tuesday with both sides agreeing to push forward border negotiations. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with Yang on Monday. He said New Delhi hopes to continue its close high-level exchanges will China and promote bilateral cooperation on climate change, disaster relief, financial stability and multilateral trade. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/10/content_7012571.htm
The production value of Chinese environmental protection industry to reach 1100 billion yuan by the end of 11th FYP (September 9, 2008) The environmental protection industry has been an important part of national economics, said Yu Xiaoqing, the deputy minister of MEP in an international environmental forum in Shandong. The production value of Chinese environmental protection industry is expected to reach 1100 billion yuan by the end of 11th FYP, annually increasing 15% during the 11th FYP. Chinese link: http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2008/09-09/1376213.shtml
China and US tackle clean energy and environment problems (September 8, 2008) David Bohigian, US Commerce Assistant Secretary, is now leading the third US Clean Energy and Environment Trade Mission to China. Comprising 19 leading clean tech enterprises, the mission is another example of the allure of China's clean technology market. The US government projected the market will increase to $186 billion in 2010 and to $555 billion in 2020 as the nation pushes forward the use of renewable energy and steps up efforts for environmental protection. Bohigian spoke with China Daily reporters Ed Zhang and Wang Xu about how the two nations can lift their cooperation on energy and environment protection to the next level. English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/energy/2008-09/08/content_7007480.htm
OLYMPICS & PARALYMPICS RELEVANT Beijing EPB strengthens the monitoring of ambient polluted sources during Paralympics (September 10, 2008) In order to ensure good air quality during Paralympics, Beijing EPB strengthens to monitor the ambient polluted sources comprehensively. The measures includes controlling the construction, online-monitoring the main pollutants sources and enterprises, examining the vehicles status, monitoring the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission situations from vehicle makers and vehicle maintainers, and timely starting the air quality inspection based on the improved analysis and forecast. Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27303
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