|
|
| Conference | |
| About us Feedback Register Contact Advertise Editorial Finditforme | Publications Partners Links Discussions Quiz |
Channel Homepages
» Home
» Sustainable Business » Green Buildings » Contaminated Land » Water/Wastewater » Waste/Recycling » Energy/Carbon » edie Ireland » Resource Centres » Sustainabilitylive! Site SponsorTo see all site sponsors, click here
Supplier Links» Energy & Carbon» Climate Change and Low Carbon » Corporate Social Responsibility » Sustainable Business » Environmental Monitoring and Analysis » Financial Services » Pollution Monitoring & Control |
23 July 2007 Chinese local government ignoring national green agenda While Beijing may profess to be concerend about carbon, it's not a priority in the provinces The environment has often been seen as the unavoidable victim of China's meteoric economic rise but in recent months those in top government posts have been stressing the need for more sustainable growth. But according to state-owned media, many local authorities are investing heavily in energy-intensive industry despite Beijing's calls to rein in power consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Officials from the National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) said that such activity could 'hinder social harmony' if some areas dutifully do their bit to protect the environment but can see their neighbours ignoring the rules. "The central government is committed to achieving the (green) targets but some local governments have turned a blind eye to them," He Bingguang, NDRC deputy director, told China Daily. According to Mr He, some local governments had been giving preferential treatment to steel, cement and other high energy consuming and polluting industries despite the top leadership's repeated warning that "they are overheated and should be brought under control". China has the stated aim of reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2010 and has set up a working party, headed by Premier Wen Jiabao, to look at ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce the nation's carbon footprint. But, according to Mr He, many local officials still see heavy industry as a fast track to economic success for their district and, indirectly, as a way to achieve easy promotion for themselves if the area under their control reports healthy profits. Systematic reforms are needed to address this culture, he said, and there is an urgent need to have districts' performance assessed not just on their financial success but also on measures introduced to save energy, protect the environment and improve social development. David Gibbs Source: edie newsroom
This story is tagged as:
business | China | government Click on a keyword to see more stories on that topic Share this
© Faversham House Group Ltd 2007. edie news articles may be copied or forwarded
for individual use only. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent.
|
 You are notlogged in » Log in here Why not register for your free weekly newsletter? Related Stories Hundreds of workers in northern China are battling against the clock to stop a diesel fuel leak from pouring into the Yellow River. » COP15: Why do poorest countries not see eye to eye with richest?With hindsight, reaching a strong agreement was always going to be a struggle in Copenhagen, with talks stalling if a single country decides to put its foot down.» China 'doesn't want climate change handouts'  Chinese officials have said the country will not take a single dollar from any international fund set up to help developing countries move towards a low carbon economy.» China announces emissions cuts and will attend COP15 China's state council has boosted hopes of successful Copenhagen climate change talks by announcing emissions cuts and promising to attend the event.
Related Media» Fashioning the FutureThe London School of Fashion recently held the 'Fashioning the Future' award for the second year in a row.
College head Dr Francis Corner tells edie about the awards and why sustainability is com...
» Greenpeace unleashes the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in CopenhagenGreenpeace campaigners say climate change will bring war, famine, pestilence and death to the world.
» Sea Change At CopenhagenLouise Burfitt-Dons expects a sea change at Copenhagen next week
» See more
|
Send to a friend
Link to this page
Comment
| Conference | |
| About us Feedback Register Contact Advertise Editorial Finditforme | Publications Partners Links Discussions Quiz |
Other Faversham House Websites include
Desalination & Water Reuse | FHG Media | web4water | water-waste-environment-marketplace | Heating and Ventilating Review | ACR-News | edie Ireland | HousewaresLive
Desalination & Water Reuse | FHG Media | web4water | water-waste-environment-marketplace | Heating and Ventilating Review | ACR-News | edie Ireland | HousewaresLive
» Discussion - Can we cut building emissions fast enough to meet targets?
» Discussion - Will energy meters cut climate change or are they a gimmick?