Environmental China

Environmental China, February 25th to March 4th, 2010, Issue 49

2010-03-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

OPINION

Will U.S. companies be shut out of clean-tech markets by China and other competitors? (New York Times, 3/4/2010) The United States must make long-term investments in clean energy development or risk being shut out of a $2.3 trillion industry, a new report by a liberal think tank has found.

Toyota and China. It’s a small world after all. (China Law Blog, 3/4/2010) News Flash: Chinese do not like being treated as "second class citizens." It appears Toyota has failed in this most basic of business propositions. I have written of how I am of the view that foreign companies doing business in China would be wise to employ their highest and best environmental standards, and not "dumb them down" for China.

Why the international community is so concerned with China’s development (Xinhua, 3/3/2010) China's three-decade fast development has brought in-depth, profound changes to Chinese society and arrested global attention, and the world community has paid keen attention to China.

True cost of cheap Chinese goods (Delta Farm Press, 3/1/2010) China’s vast manufacturing areas are among the most polluted on earth, a distinction that has been abetted in part by companies in the industrialized nations seeking the cheapest possible per unit costs while overlooking the terrible corollary costs.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

Pig carcasses buried amid outbreak (China Daily, 3/5/2010) Authorities buried more than 40 pig carcasses on Thursday after the rotting remains were found in Sihui of Guangdong province, amid fears of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the city.

One man’s battle against pollution (China Daily, 3/5/2010) Every day before sunrise, Zhang Zhengxiang leaves home to walk along Dianchi Lake, one of the major attractions in Yunnan province. The 62-year-old retired farmer carries a camera, tripod and telescope to record the pollution encroaching on the country's sixth-largest freshwater lake.

River agency win Water Prize (Straits Times, 3/4/2010) The agency behind China's Yellow River has been awarded this year's Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for its water-management policies. In its 11-year history, the Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC) put in place flood control measures along the 5,464km river, which used to burst its banks and cause devastation, earning it the name 'China's Sorrow'.

Debate on GM food continues (China Daily, 3/4/2010) Debate over the safety of genetically-modified (GM) food continues in China, as the government steps up its efforts to develop GM crops to ensure grain security.

Kidney damage in 12 percent of Chinese children exposed to melamine-contaminated dairy products (Science Daily, 3/2/2010) While the majority of children who were affected by consuming toxic melamine-contaminated products in China recovered, kidney abnormalities remained in 12% of the affected children, according to an article inCMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Rare Buddhist flower found under nun’s washing machine (Telegraph, 3/1/2010) The Udumbara flower was found in the home of a Chinese nun in Lushan Mountain, Jiangxi province, China.

Development threatens Hong Kong bird migration (The Independent, 2/27/2010) Tens of thousands of birds, including rare and endangered species, flock each year to an unlikely haven sandwiched between high-rise Hong Kong and Shenzhen, the towering frontier of mainland China.

China’s infertility rate on the rise (Asia News Network, 2/27/2010) China appears to be suffering from rising infertility levels, with a number of regional surveys showing up to 10 per cent of couples who have regular sex being unable to conceive within a year, reproduction experts have said.

Looming water crisis in China threatens growth, report says (BusinessWeek, 2/25/2010) China’s growth may be imperiled unless the country addresses a deepening water crisis, according to a report released by the Asia Water Project in Hong Kong today.

CORPORATIONS

China Everbright Bank launches zero-carbon credit card (ChinaCSR, 3/5/2010) In cooperation with Beijing Environment Exchange, China Everbright Bank has formally launched a zero-carbon credit card.

China coal: Beating the energy trap (Technorati, 3/4/2010) China recently signed a MOU of $60 billion, with an Australian Coal major Resource House for a 30 million tonne coal supply deal.

Research report on Chinese Environmental Protection Industry (OfficialWire, 3/4/2010) In 2009, the sales value of Chinese special equipment manufacturing industry for environmental protection and social public security was CNY 133.39 billion, rising by 17.71% YOY; the sales value of Chinese discarded resource and waste material recovery and processing industry reached CNY 121.76 billion, increasing by 16.97% YOY, realizing the highest growth rate in this year.

China Industrial Waste Management to present at Rodman & Renshaw Annual China Investment Conference (PRNewswire, 3/4/2010) China Industrial Waste Management, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CIWT) ("China Industrial Waste Management" or the "Company"), a leading environmental services and solutions provider inChina, today announced that Mr. Jinqing Dong, the Company's Chairman and CEO, and Mr. Darcy Zhang, Investor Relations Director, will present at the Rodman & Renshaw Annual China Investment Conference to be held on March 7-9, 2010.

China’s Geely researching new energy cars (Reuters, 3/3/2010) China's Geely Automobile Holdings (0175.HK) is researching new energy cars, joining its rivals in developing clean tech vehicles as Beijing gets ready to roll out incentives to promote such technology.

Wal-Mart pushes energy efficiency on Chinese suppliers (Environmental Leader, 3/1/2010) Wal-Mart Stores is working with its Chinese suppliers to address energy efficiency and environmental impacts, reports the Washington Post. The retailer, fresh off a major announcement last week to cut its supply chain emissions 20 million metric tons by 2015, has more than 10,000 suppliers in China.

Investors commit to join China-Singapore Eco City (Network World, 3/1/2010) The first investors have signed on for the Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) at Tianjin Eco-City, a landmark bilateral project between China and Singapore.

Hainan toxic cowpeas concern spreads, more provinces ban sale after tests reveal toxic pesticide contamination (People’s Daily, 2/28/2010) More Chinese provinces have banned the sale of cowpeas grown in south China's Hainan province as concern about "toxic cowpeas" spreads.

GOVERNMENT

China studying environment tax to curb pollution (BusinessWeek, 3/4/2010) China, the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, is actively studying an environment tax to help curb pollution.

China may start its first city-wide carbon cap and trade system (Business Week, 3/4/2010) China may start its first city-wide carbon cap-and-trade system by June as the world’s biggest polluter seeks to rein in emissions, a project adviser said.

China looks to master its control over the weather (National Post, 3/4/2010) China plans to step up its use of the weather modification techniques that brought sunny skies for both the Beijing Olympics and last year's giant military parade on National Day.

Beijing’s mirage: A water park in a water-starved city (Probe International, 3/4/2010) As Beijing’s water crisis continues to worsen, government officials say they intend to transform the city’s famed Olympic Water Cube into a massive water park, featuring seven-story water slides and a wave machine. Operators of the stadium say the project will cost 200-million yuan ($29-million).

Low-carbon lifestyle finds support (Xinhua, 3/3/2010) Chen Yu was surprised when he registered Tuesday for the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body.

China’s low-carbon stocks rally on policy outlook (Bloomberg, 3/3/2010) China’s low-carbon technology makers and agriculture producers rose the most in Shanghai trading on the prospect the government may announce energy-saving policies this week, boosting the outlook for earnings.

China drafts 10-year ‘green energy’ plan (BusinessWeek, 3/2/2010) China plans to have "clean energy" account for 15 percent of its total consumption under a 10-year renewable energy promotion program soon to be made public, a state-run newspaper cites the head of the country's National Energy Administration as saying.

China official wanted toxic bean case hushed up (AP, 3/2/2010) The discovery in Chinese markets of tons of beans treated with a highly toxic pesticide has prompted an indignant response from an official responsible for the safety of the produce, despite a public outcry over recent food safety scandals.

Polluted water affects 55,000 people in central China (People’s Daily, 3/2/2010) About 55,000 people in central China's Hubei Province were relying on emergency water supplies after a local river was contaminated, local authorities said Monday.

Loopholes in pesticide regulation (China Daily, 3/2/2010) A highly toxic pesticide that had been banned but was found in tons of cowpeas from South China's Hainan province is still on sale on the island, exposing loopholes in pesticide management regulations.

Beijing to invest 1.5b in Tibet environment (China Daily, 3/2/2010) The Chinese central government will allocate a further investment of 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) by the end of 2015 to help protect and preserve the ecological environments in the Tibet Autonomous Region, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

China shows interest in melting arctic sea ice (Greenfudge, 3/1/2010) For some, the melting of Arctic sea ice is a sure sign of global warming and habitat loss. For others, it simply means a chance to reap more economic and strategic benefits. China fits one of these descriptions. Can you guess which one?

China needs more hydropower projects to fight climate change (People’s Daily, 2/28/2010) China should build more large hydropower projects so it can live up to its promise to the international community, Wang Shucheng, vice chairman of the Finance and Economic Committee under the National People's Congress (China's top legislature), said on Saturday.

Environmental China, February 18th to February 25th, 2010, Issue 48

2010-02-19T12:02:00.000-08:00

OPINION

China: Bigger, badder, and greener than the U.S.? (Washington Examiner, 2/25/2010) China, one of the most polluted countries on Earth, “is already beating the U.S. to clean energy jobs,” gushes Tony Kreindler of the Environmental Defense Fund, and “is quickly becoming the global powerhouse in clean energy manufacturing and innovation, dwarfing the efforts of America.”

Control firecrackers, protect civil rights (China Daily, 2/24/2010) The gaiety of the Spring Festival is welcome, but not the air and noise pollution. The celebration of the Lunar New Year is cherished, but not at the expense of others. Our right to a clean and quiet environment is always violated by fireworks during the festival.

Can China’s farms cope with urbanization and pollution? (Greenfudge, 2/24/2010) As China continues to rapidly develop and urbanize, increasing pressure is put on the farmland of the Asian superpower. Pollution from toxic factory waste and an inordinate use of nitrogen fertilizers – more than twice the global average – are deteriorating the quality of China’s soil. Expanding urban areas are also diminishing the country’s precious arable land.

Environmental taxes don’t tackle real problem in China (Global Times, 2/21/2010) In classic economics, the theoretical argument for environmental taxes was put forward by Arthur Cecil Pigou, a British economist. In his book, Welfare Economics, he said we need to draw taxes from activities that have bad external effects such as environmental pollution, to compensate for the damage done by such activities.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

China Times: Taiwan urgently needs green revolution (Taiwan News, 2/25/2010) The premiere of the film "Plus or Minus Two Degrees Celsius, " which is the Taiwan version of "An Inconvenient Truth, " has raised hopes among many local people that the problem of Taiwan's deteriorating environment would finally be addressed.

China’s green groups start year of the tiger with consumer campaign (Guardian, 2/23/2010) As China winds down from its biggest ever binge of spring festival feasting and fireworks, environmentalists have launched a new drive to persuade consumers to spend more responsibly.

Extinct animals are quickly forgotten: the baiji and shifting baselines (Mongabay, 2/23/2010) In 2006 a survey in China to locate the endangered Yangtze River dolphin, known as the baiji, found no evidence of its survival. Despondent, researchers declared that the baiji was likely extinct. Four years later and the large charismatic marine mammal is not only 'likely extinct', but in danger of being forgotten, according to a surprising new study "Rapidly Shifting Baselines in Yangtze Fishing Communities and Local Memory of Extinct Species" in Conservation Biology.

Factory’s pollution victimizes half a million people in Central China (The Epoch Times, 2/22/2010) A factory in Hunan Province has been emitting toxic metals which have polluted water sources in over ten townships. Though cancer cases have skyrocketed, and 51,834 children have been identified with excessive blood levels of lead and cadmium, victims are powerless, since the company is a state-owned enterprise.

Electric bikes on a roll in China (AFP, 2/21/2010) Chinese commuters in their millions are turning to electric bicycles -- hailed as the environmentally-friendly future of personal transport in the country's teeming cities.

M is for Magnesium and Memory (Examiner, 2/18/2010) Three studies recently have highlighted the benefits of adequate magnesium intake in older adults.

CORPORATIONS

Dam plans open gates to tough choices ahead (IPS, 2/25/2010) The Nu River flows from the Tibetan highlands through China’s western Yunnan province, cutting between two mountain ranges before rushing through Burma into the Andaman Sea. It is home to a third of the country’s ethnic groups and a diverse ecosystem of 7,000 species of plants and 80 rare or endangered animals and fish.

China Green Material Technologies, Inc. to expand annual production capacity by nearly 160% to 22,000 tons (PRNewswire, 2/25/2010) China Green Material Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CAGM; "CAGM" or "the Company"), a Chinese leader in developing and manufacturing starch-based biodegradable fast-moving consumer goods packaging, today announced the Company has acquired a new manufacturing facility and plans to relocate in May 2010, expanding its capacity by nearly 160%.

Chinese solar manufacturing company proposing $20.7 million Austin plant (The American-Statesman, 2/25/2010) A Chinese solar energy company is proposing to build a solar-panel plant in Austin, investing $20.7 million and creating more than 300 jobs.

China pollution concerns dash Hummer deal (Industry Week, 2/25/2010) China's environmental concerns have dashed Tengzhong's dream of buying the iconic Hummer brand from General Motors.

China solar stocks green on Deutsche Bullish Call (Greenstocks, 2/25/2010) China solar stocks have been crushed over the past month, but today are green on a day when the market is down significantly. This is the kind of relative strength that indicates that perhaps they have reached a turning point. I think it’s too soon to call a bottom in the China solar stocks, but this is a good start. The relative strength certainly isn’t without a catalyst .. Deutsche came out with a bullish call this morning and GT Solar (SOLR) announced a big order for its ingot furnaces in China which indicates expansion of capacity.

China faces shortages of migrant workers (Financial Times, 2/25/2010) One day last week, the welcoming committee sent by the world’s largest manufacturer of microwave ovens waited in vain outside the main railway station in Guangzhou, capital of China’s southern Guangdong province.

China poised for big role in future of biotech crops (Des Moines Register, 2/24/2010) Genetically engineered crops are hot in Brazil, where Pioneer Hi-Bred is benefiting from the popularity of biotech corn seed. But the country to watch in coming years could be China, according to a group that tracks the technology.

Environmental liabilities increasing in China under new torts law (Lexology, 2/23/2010) On Dec 26, 2009, China's National People's Congress approved a new torts law that will increase the liabilities forenvironmental pollution. We see this as another step forward in China’s environmental protection movement, and American companies should understand the potential liabilities when they conduct business in or with China.

4 central SOEs battle over electric car charge station market (People’s Daily, 2/23/2010) The Beijing Branch of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) and Beijing Capital Sci-Tech Group Corp. on February 22 agreed to form a joint venture, intending to develop Sinopec's current large gas stations into stations available for both fuel-based and electric vehicles.

China’s wind power sector faces challenges (UPI, 2/22/2010) Amid steep competition and lower profit margins, some industry insiders say China's wind turbine sector grew at the expense of quality.

China Green comes to Texas…and other green issues (The Energy Collective, 2/22/2010) Will U.S. power consumers ever rely on Chinese green power for their electricity? This notion, that just a few years ago seemed far fetched, will likely become a reality. On Tuesday, Chinese wind turbine maker A-Power Energy Generation Systems received Chinese regulatory approval to proceed with a 600 megawatts, $1.5 billion wind farm to be constructed in Texas. The greenlight by the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission is a crucial hurdle to pass and will allow the project developers to, among other things, start approaching banks for financing.

GOVERNMENT

UN warns India, China over e-waste management (Breaking News Online, 2/25/2010) The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned India and China over the e-waste management, and said they could face disaster in future, if appropriate action is not taken immediately.

China to release pollution-fighting fish in lake (AFP, 2/24/2010) Authorities in eastern China have said they will release 20 million algae-eating fish into one of the nation's most scenic lakes that has been ravaged by pollution.

Water project leads to mass relocation (Xinhua, 2/24/2010) The mass relocation of residents affected by China's giant South-to-North Water Diversion (SNWD) project will accelerte this year after years of waiting.

China may take three years to allow sales of gene-modified corn (Business Week, 2/24/2010) China, the world’s biggest grain producer, may take at least three years before gene-modified corn can be grown commercially, according to a state scientist who participated in the research.

U.S. China at odds over climate talks in 2010 (Reuters, 2/24/2010) The United States is at odds with China and other developing nations by favoring a Copenhagen climate accord as the blueprint in 2010 for a stronger deal to fight global warming, documents showed on Wednesday.

China’s Dubai-on-the-Yangtze (Sydney Morning Herald, 2/23/2010) The township of Huaxi in the Yangtze River Delta is a proud symbol of how Chinese communists embraced capitalism to lift 300 million people out of poverty during the past three decades.

China’s soil deterioration may become growing food crisis, adviser claims (Guardian, 2/23/2010) The quality of China's overworked, polluted and artificially fertilised soil needs to be protected or the country could struggle to grow enough crops for the 300 million to 400 million people who will move from the countryside to the city over the next 30 years, a senior government adviser warned today.

China maps 70,000 villages, townships in 2009 (CCTV, 2/19/2010) Chinese mapping authorities had worked out about 70,000 topographic charts and image graphics for the rural areas in the past year.

Weather rockets curb forest fire amid southwest China drought (People’s Daily, 2/19/2010) Southwest China's Yunnan Province launched 1,555 weather rockets Wednesday and Thursday to curb the risk of forest fire amid the worst drought in 60 years, said provincial meteorological authorities.

China’s H1N1 death toll 160 times higher than official figure (Epoch Times, 2/18/2010) Soon after the release of its investigation report of the H1N1 epidemic in Guangzhou, Southern China’s capital city, H1N1China.orgreleased another survey report of the epidemic throughout China, which indicates that the Chinese communist regime is covering-up the epidemic.

Environmental China, February 12th to February 18th, 2010, Issue 47

2010-02-13T12:01:00.000-08:00

OPINION

China’s first national pollution census: What does it mean for your business in the next five years? (CSR Asia, 2/18/2010) Just before the Lunar New Year, China announced the results of its first national pollution census, which mapped nearly 6 million sources of industrial, residential and agricultural waste.

Charity Case (Newsweek, 2/17/2010) Whether they like it or not, China has been very good for Tibetans.

Urban form, Behavior energy modeling in Sim City (World Changing, 2/16/2010) One of the great challenges in urban planning and green building has been material life cycle energy use--how steel, concrete and wood products were produced and transported. Add to that the decisions people make once construction is finished, and you can rightly conclude that development standards have only scratched the veneer of total energy and sustainability impacts.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

Environmentalists urge Beijing residents to take to bikes (Earth Times, 2/18/2010) When the Chinese dragon "coughs," it's largely due to the high degree of air pollution. In Beijing, for example, the amount of toxic substances in the air often is above approved limits. Chinese industries are accelerating production while traffic in the capital is incessantly increasing the amount of toxins and carbon dioxide in the air.

Chinese farming practices are acidifying soils (Mongabay.com, 2/11/2010) A new study in Science shows that farming practices in China are acidifying the nation's soils and threatening long term productivity at a time when food concerns worldwide have never been higher. The culprit is the increasing use of nitrogen fertilizer.

China’s fertilizer fetish making soils more acidic – up to 100 times worse than acid rain (Treehugger, 2/12/2010) Brian recently told us about how China's water pollution problems are probably twice as bad as official government statistics show. Part of that is due to agricultural run-off from excessive fertilizer use. But water isn't the only thing being polluted by too much fertilizer. Mongabay highlights a new article in Science which details who China's soils are acidifying because of bad agricultural practice.

CORPORATIONS

China becomes world’s biggest car market (Press Office, 2/18/2010) China fulfilled industry expectations to become the world's biggest car market in 2009, overtaking the US by a significant margin. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) reported total vehicle sales of 13.64mn units in 2009, up 46.15% from 9.4mn the previous year.

China’s high-growth ghost towns (Foreign Policy, 2/18/2010) Visiting the eerily vacant epicenter of unsustainable progress, far out in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia.

Cement industry will spend $3.5 billion for air pollution (The McIlvaine Company, 2/17/2010) With China leading the way, the cement industry will invest more than $3.5 billion for air pollution control systems in 2010. Nearly 50 percent of this investment will be for fabric filters. These are the latest forecasts from the McIlvaine Company reports: World Fabric Filter and Element Markets, Scrubber/Adsorber/Biofilter World Markets, NOx Control World Markets and Electrostatic Precipitator World Markets.

Slow trip across sea aids profit and environment (New York Times, 2/16/2010) It took more than a month for the container ship Ebba Maersk to steam from Germany to Guangdong, China, where it unloaded cargo on a recent Friday — a week longer than it did two years ago.

China Industrial Waste Management provides update on Dongtai Organic Waste Treatment Project (PR Newswire, 2/11/2010) China Industrial Waste Management, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CIWT) ("China Industrial Waste Management" or the "Company"), a leading environmental services and solutions provider in China, announced today that its Dongtai Organic Waste Treatment Project (the "Project") received its first payment of $120,000 from the sale of biogas (natural gas). The Company expects the Project to yield at least $180,000 per month in revenues from supply of natural gas when it reaches full capacity.

GOVERNMENT

Tibetian Nationhood – A Quiet Revolution in the Making (Khaleej Times, 2/14/2010) Last year around this time Tibetans decided to observe the traditional New Year — or Losar — as an occasion of mourning for those killed in China’s crackdown in 2008 following the Tibet uprising.

China advances in independently tapping nuclear power (iStockAnalyst, 2/17/2010) Wang Binhua said that along with the No.1 generating unit put into construction at the Shandong Haiyang Nuclear Power Station on Dec. 28, 2009, three out of the four AP1000-based generating units have entered the stage of main body engineering construction. So far, all the generating unit projects are going smoothly. The Sanmen Nuclear Power Station is scheduled to generate electric power with its first generating unit in August 2013. Haiyang Nuclear Power Station is to follow suit with its first generating unit in February 2014.

Brazil, China to postpone joint satellite launching to 2011 (MundoGeo, 2/18/2010) Brazil and China will postpone their fourth joint satellite launching from 2010 to mid-2011, a Brazilian official said Wednesday.

Spain approves carbon offset projects in China, India, Peru (Bloomberg, 2/17/2010) Spain approved seven clean-energy projects to offset its carbon emissions with reductions in the developing world, the Environment Ministry said.

China’s Sri Lanka port raises concern (UPI, 2/17/2010) China's construction of a port in Sri Lanka and a Chinese admiral's suggestion Beijing build a naval base in the Gulf of Aden has raised fears in the Middle East that a confrontation between China and India is looming along vital energy export routes.

China blacklists polluting factories (Greenpeace, 2/12/2010) Industries pumping out poisonous substances day after day into rivers that entire communities rely on for their basic water needs - the reality of water pollution in China is one of the country's biggest tragedies.

Call for stricter food labeling after China pollution revelations (ABC Rural, 2/11/2010) Revelations that China's farm sector is doing huge environmental damage has prompted new calls for tougher country of origin labelling.

Environmental China, February 5th to February 12th, 2010, Issue 46

2010-02-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

OPINION

Why China keeps poisoning the milk (Wall Street Journal, 2/10/2010) China and Japan are each going through their own unique quality crises. In China, officials are hunting for 170 tons of contaminated milk powder that is still on shelves more than a year after the melamine scandal was first exposed. And in Japan, discussions are focused on all that has gone wrong with its automotive industry after Toyota's recent recalls. But a closer look at the two scandals shows how far apart the countries are in their approach to quality—and how much China stands to learn from Japan.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

China’s first modern coal plant receives $135 million loan (EcoSeed, 2/11/2010) China’s efforts to make its coal use more efficient in reducing carbon emissions, a first in a developing country, have been given a $135 million loan support by the Asian Development Bank.

Survey shows water crisis is public’s main concern (People’s Daily, 2/11/2010) Corporate Social Responsibility Research Center of Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS) released a Corporate Social Responsibility Survey 2010 and the top ten issues of corporate social responsibility on Tuesday. The public's main concern is the water crisis, pollution and food safety.

Songjiang perch returns to Shanghai dining tables after 22 years (Channel News Asia, 2/11/2010) There is a new dish on the menu this Lunar New Year. For the first time in more than 20 years, the Songjiang perch, also known as the roughskin sculpin, will make an appearance in Shanghai.  

China’s farms pollute as much as its factories, survey finds (The Hindu, 2/10/2010) For every tonne of chemical effluents that factories dump into China’s rivers and lakes, a comparable amount of harmful waste finds its way into this country’s water bodies from green fields and farmhouses.

90% of Himalayan glacier melting caused by aerosols and black carbon (Treehugger, 2/9/2010) The article goes on to caution that black carbon may be an even larger contributor than that though--perhaps as much as four times higher Menon says--because data inventories used in the simulations report less black carbon than what has been measured at several monitoring stations in India.Unfortunately though, this measured data is not complete enough to be incorporated into these particular climate model.

Drought causes economic loss of 952 mln USD Yunnan Province (People’s Daily, 2/8/2010) The worst drought in 60 years has inflicted a direct agricultural economic loss of 6.5 billion yuan (952 million U.S. dollars) in southwest China's Yunnan Province, a local official said Sunday.

Chinese villagers attack government building (Reuters, 2/8/2010) More than 300 people in a southern Chinese town attacked a government building over the weekend in protest against a water diversion scheme, state news agency Xinhua said on Monday.

Villagers protest against water diversion project (China Daily, 2/8/2010) More than 300 villagers attacked a local government building Sunday in a small town of south China's Guangdong Province, protesting against a government-sponsored project to divert some of its water to a neighboring town.

Beijing’s wetland faces serious degradation (CCTV, 2/8/2010) It has been learned from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Landscape and Forestry working conference that Beijing’s wetland areas, only about 51,400 hectares, are declining drastically, and the city faces a severe threat of environmental degradation.

International Potato Center opens Asia branch in China (The Independent, 2/8/2010) The International Potato Center, repository of the largest potato gene bank in the world, has opened a regional office in China to help boost Asian production of the ubiquitous tubers, the Peru-based center said Thursday.

China brews superbugs (Sydney Morning Herald, 2/7/2010) China’s reckless use of antibiotics in its health system and agricultural production is fuelling an explosion of drug-resistant superbugs that threaten global health.

Tibet temperatures highest since records began say Chinese climatologists (Guardian, 2/5/2010) The roof of the world is heating up, according to a report today that said temperatures in Tibet soared last year to the highest level since records began.

CORPORATIONS

Australia Greens question colossal China coal deal (AFP, 2/12/2010) A massive Australian coal export deal with China, seen as boosting the economy and creating jobs, would ultimately result in enormous greenhouse gas emissions, The Greens political party said Sunday.

ADB offers USD135 million to green coal power project in China (ChinaCSR, 2/11/2010) The Manila-based Asian Development Bank has received approval to provide a USD135 million loan to a green coal power demonstration project in Tianjin to help develop clean coal power system and reduce green house gas emissions and pollution in China.

China Industrial Waste Management provides update on Dongtai organic waste treatment project (PR Newswire, 2/11/2010) China Industrial Waste Management, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CIWT) ("China Industrial Waste Management" or the "Company"), a leading environmental services and solutions provider in China, announced today that its Dongtai Organic Waste Treatment Project (the "Project") received its first payment of $120,000 from the sale of biogas (natural gas). The Company expects the Project to yield at least $180,000 per month in revenues from supply of natural gas when it reaches full capacity.

China Coal to modernize Uzbekistani coal mine for US$120.4 mln (China Knowledge, 2/11/2010) China Coal Energy Company<601898><1898>, one of the leading coal producers in the country, has won a tender to modernize an Uzbekistani coal mine for US$ 120.4 million by the end of 2011, according to source

China Environment wins S$1.2 m thermal power plant contract (Channel News Asia, 2/10/2010) Mainboard-listed waste gas treatment firm, China Environment, said it has won a S$12.1 million contract.

Eastern Environment to partner with Veolia Environment to generate clean energy from landfill gas (CNNMoney, 2/09/2010) Eastern Environment Solutions Corporation (OTCBB: EESC), a leading provider of municipal solid waste (MSW) processing and disposal services in northeast China, entered into a letter of intent with Veolia Environment, one of the world's leading environmental services firms, on a project to establish a power plant that would utilize recaptured landfill gas from Eastern Environment's Harbin landfill to power turbines and generate electricity.

China’s ICBC to adjust lending to promote more eco-friendly growth (China Daily, 2/9/2010) China's largest bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), said Monday it would tailor its lending to promote more environmentally friendly economic growth.

Huaneng said to plan $1 billion H.K. wind power IPO (Business Week, 2/8/2010) China Huaneng Group Corp., the country’s largest power producer, plans to take its wind power unit public in a Hong Kong share sale this year worth at least $1 billion, said four people familiar with the plan.

Australian firm strikes $60B coal deal with China (Boston Herald, 2/6/2010) Australian company Resourcehouse Ltd. said Saturday that it has struck a $60 billion, 20-year agreement to supply coal to China Power International Development Ltd., calling it Australia’s biggest export contract.

Old mine may house garbage-burning plant (China Daily, 2/5/2010) A controversial waste treatment project once slated for Liulitun, Haidian district, Beijing may be recycled and built instead in an isolated mountainous area far from populated parts of the city, a Beijing News report said yesterday.

Poisoning probe focuses on Sprite container (China Daily, 2/5/2010) Police have sent the metal packaging of a sprite drink to a specialist laboratory for tests in a bid to unravel the mystery of how a man was hospitalized with mercury poisoning, the Beijing News reported.

GOVERNMENT

China issues policy on NOx emissions (Market Watch, 2/11/2010) Fuel Tech, Inc. (FTEK 5.62, -0.01, -0.18%) , a world leader in advanced engineering solutions for the optimization of combustion systems and emissions control in utility and industrial applications, provides the following summary on the recently announced nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission control policy from the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China.

China fears of rich nation ‘climate conspiracy’ at Copenhagen revealed (Guardian, 2/11/2010) Rich nations furthered their "conspiracy to divide the developing world" at December's UN climate summit in Copenhagen, while Canada "connived" and the EU acted "to please the United States", according to an internal document from a Chinese government thinktank obtained by the Guardian.

China finds energy security is ‘a breeze’ (Market Watch, 2/10/2010) As China's need for energy security grows, so does its interest in wind -- an environmentally friendly, cheap, abundant and powerful energy source -- and that's likely to benefit all sorts of companies in the industry, from wind farmers and operators to turbine manufacturers.

China: The First Chinese Standard for voluntary greenhouse gas offset (Mondaq, 2/10/2010) On 26 November 2009, the State Council of the People's Republic of China announced that the PRC pledged to voluntarily reduce its carbon intensity at 40 percent - 45 percent per unit of gross domestic product by 2020 against 2005. As the first step to move towards a low carbon society in line with the national policy, the China Beijing Environment Exchange ("CBEEX") officially released the first standard for voluntary greenhouse gas ("GHG") offset entitled "Panda Standard Version 1.0" on 16 December 2009 at the Copenhagen Convention. The principal founders of the Panda Standard are CBEEX, the BlueNext (Europe's largest carbon credits exchange) and the China Forestry Exchange.

Guangzhou battles bad air quality ahead of Asian Games (The Times of India, 2/10/2010) The battle against “bad air” quality that authorities fought before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is now repeated in the south China city of Guangzhou, which is hosting the Asian Games in November. Local officials have expressed worries that the atmospheric demon would not be easy to beat down.

China releases first national pollution census (AP, 2/10/2010) China has revealed its most ambitious measure of what explosive development has done to its environment, saying Tuesday its first national pollution census has mapped nearly 6 million sources of industrial, residential and agricultural waste.

China, India seeks to limit climate plan, Stern says (Business Week, 2/09/2010) China, India, South Africa and Brazil seek to “limit the impact” of the U.S.-led Copenhagen Accord by emphasizing that the climate change deal isn’t legally binding, U.S. negotiator Todd Stern said today.

China both pollutes and tackles pollution in quest for clean coal (Seeking Alpha, 2/8/2010) China is part of the global Co2 emissions problem. So is the U.S., and if you ask Al Gore, so are humans for breathing. (Well excuse me for breathing, Al!)

China marks year of tiger with drive to save biggest cat (Guardian, 2/7/2010) Taking turns to act as human ploughs, Liang Jianmin and his tiger survey team forge through mile after mile of knee-deep snow in the mountain forests near China's frozen mountain border with Siberia.

China likely to replace India in Iran-Pak gas pipeline (One India, 2/6/2010) Iran Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said that China is keen to join the Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline Project.

Chicken parts join menu of U.S.-China disputes (Reuters, 2/5/2010) China said on Friday it will slap heavy anti-dumping duties on U.S. chicken parts, a move likely to aggravate trade ties between two of the world's most important economies at a time of strained political relations.

China’s 2009 State Land sales cover 40% of stimulus plan’s cost (Bloomberg, 2/5/2010) China’s government netted 1.6 trillion yuan ($234 billion) from land sales last year, or 40 percent of the cost of the nation’s two-year stimulus package.

Environmental China, January 28nd to February 5th, Issue 45

2010-02-04T11:55:00.000-08:00

OPINION

China and green GDP (The Energy Collective, 2/3/2010) Back in the mid-2000s China began to experiment with the notion of Green GDP as a new way of accounting for its growth in an environmental context. This was touched on in a previous blog post, but I thought a more in depth look into exactly what Green GDP showed and why it failed would provide some insight.

Chinese cities growing fast (The China Business Network, 2/3/2010) Head of Tishman Speyer China Ryan Botjer experiences first hand China's rapidly expanding cities. His company is a major business real estate company and has enjoyed much success especially in the growing 2nd and 3rd tier Chinese cities. He warns, though, that the cities can grow only as fast as the infrastructure can keep up.

China, U.S., and Europe race for the smart grid (Mother Nature Network, 2/1/2010) Are American electric utilities lagging behind China in the race to fund and build the construction of a smart energy grid?

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

The revival of bicycles in Beijing (Xinhua, 1/28/2010) Commuting in China's big cities is a daunting experience. The phrase "rush hour" takes on a whole new meaning, and an ominous one, in a city like Beijing which has 20 million residents and 4 million private cars. Congestion and pollution are serious problems.

CORPORATIONS

FIFA goes green with solar-powered sponsor (EcoSeed, 2/4/2010) This year’s FIFA World Cup is brought to you by… solar panels? This is certainly the case this year, as Yingli Green (NYSE:YGE ) becomes the first renewable energy company in history to sponsor the prestigious football tournament. The announcement was made at the 2010 FIFA World Cup press conference held in Beijing, during which Miao Liansheng, Yingli Green chief executive, spoke and video messages from FIFA headquarters in Zurich were aired.

Future of China’s tiger farms in the balance (IPS, 1/30/2010) The road to the world’s first tiger summit in Vladivostok later this year will have to be paved with answers about the future of tiger farms in China and other East Asian countries, said conservationists.

China leading global race to make clean energy (New York Times, 1/30/2010) China vaulted past competitors in Denmark, Germany, Spain and the United States last year to become the world’s largest maker of wind turbines, and is poised to expand even further this year.

GOVERNMENT

Nanning wins top environmental prize (China Daily, 2/4/2010) Nanning has won a top Chinese environmental prize after it received the Habitat Scroll of Honor Award from UN-Habitat in 2007, another reward for its relentless efforts to protect its environment.

China strives for first ‘green’ Expo (AFP, 2/4/2010) China, the world's number one emitter of greenhouse gases, aims to hold the first "green" World Expo in Shanghai, as the sprawling metropolis tries to shed its polluted past and become eco-friendly.

China may scrap plan for mills to match ArcelorMittal (BusinessWeek, 2/4/2010) China, the world’s largest steel producer, may pull back from encouraging steelmakers to get as large as global leader ArcelorMittal, as it directs mills to focus on improving product quality, a government adviser said.

China’s labor edge overpowers Obama’s ‘Green’ jobs initiatives (Bloomberg, 2/4/2010) President Barack Obama is spending $2.1 million to help Suntech Power Holdings Co. build a solar- panel plant in Arizona. It will hire 70 Americans to assemble components made by Suntech’s 11,000 Chinese workers.

3,391 officials indicted in China for environment-related duty dereliction (Xinhua, 1/29/2010) China's procuratorate authorities had prosecuted 3,391 public officials from April 2008 to last November for dereliction of duty in cases that caused damage to the natural environment and waste of energy resources.

Environmental China, January 22nd to January 28th, Issue 44

2010-01-24T11:52:00.000-08:00

OPINION

Genetically modified rice and corn to grow in China, then the world (Singularity Hub, 1/26/2010) China grows a lot of rice – about 60 million tonnes a year. It also consumes most of that, only exporting around 1% of its crop. So, high demand for production with little fear of export restrictions? Sounds like a recipe for genetic modification.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

China publishes new pollution targets (China Economic Review, 1/26/2010) China will meet its binding target to reduce sulfur dioxide and chemical oxygen demand - an indicator of water pollution - by 10% of 2005 levels in 2010, reported state media.

Chinese and American scientists meet to discuss environmental causes of cancer (NCI Cancer Bulletin, 1/26/2010) Earlier this month, researchers from science and public health organizations in China and the United States, including NCI, met in Guangzhou, China, to discuss specific research goals and possibilities for collaboration in cancer epidemiology, environmental monitoring, and tobacco control, and how to foster translational research in these areas.

China spends billions to study dinosaur fossils at sites of major discoveries (Washington Post, 1/26/2010) What killed the dinosaurs? Scientist Wang Haijun thinks the answer may be buried inside a 980-foot-long ravine in the Chinese countryside 415 miles southeast of Beijing where hundreds of the creatures may have huddled in the final moments before their extinction.

Officials feel heat over waste incinerator (China Daily, 1/26/2010) Authorities of Gaoming district in Foshan, Guangdong province, yesterday vowed to firmly oppose the construction of an industrial waste incinerator if the plant threatens the environment and health of its residents.

China grows thirstier (Global Post, 1/26/2010) Tang Huizhong has watched the water levels in the local river drop over the last 10 years until barely enough remains for fish to make their way upstream.

Hundreds protest S. China project over pollution worries (Reuters, 1/25/2010) Hundreds of protesters in southern China donned masks to protest a planned incinerator plant, the latest grassroots initiative to target polluting projects in the region.

CORPORATIONS

CNPC to splash $10b on gas business (The Standard, 1/29/2010) CNPC (Hong Kong) (0135) says it will invest around HK$10 billion this year, mainly on developing its natural gas business.

4-star stocks poised to pop: China Green Agriculture (The Motley Fool, 1/27/2010) Based on the aggregated intelligence of 145,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, organic fertilizer supplier China Green Agriculture (NYSE: CGA) has earned a respected four-star ranking.

Goldman Sachs’ China problem (Forbes, 1/27/2010) Although Google's declaration that it is no longer willing to censor searches in China gets all the headlines, another American giant, Goldman Sachs, is locked in its own battle there. When oil prices were soaring, Shenzhen Nanshan Power signed oil derivatives contracts with Goldman's commodities-trading subsidiary, J. Aron, to help it hedge against rising prices. When oil prices plummeted last year, Nanshan's bets went south. Nanshan is now refusing to pay the $80 million it owes, because it says the contracts were signed by officials who didn't have signing authority.

China Nuclear National Corporation to acquire uranium mine in Niger (Alibaba, 1/26/2010) China Nuclear National Corporation (CNNC) International Ltd. will acquire 37.2 percent of shares of NIG Azelik uranium mine in Niger at a cost not to exceed HK$414 million($53.42 million), the company announced on Monday.

Chinese medicine market sought for cane toad poison (BBC News, 1/26/2010) Australia's most notorious pest, the pervasive and poisonous cane toad, could soon end up on dinner tables and in medicinal treatments in Asia.

Peabody beats analyst estimates as China demand soars (Business Week, 1/26/2010) Peabody Energy Corp., the largest U.S. coal producer, said fourth-quarter profit beat analysts’ estimates because of growing demand from China.

GOVERNMENT

Pollution will be controlled during Expo (China Daily, 1/29/2010) Enterprises within 300 km of Shanghai in the Yangtze River Delta will be subject to production control during the six-month World Expo if the city's air quality falls below standards, local environmental protection authorities said yesterday.

Africa asks China to make greater efforts to find climate change (Addis Ababa, 1/28/2010) The deputy chief of the African Union, Erastus Mwencha, on Wednesday asked to China to make more efforts in the fight against climate ch ange, which has had tragic consequences on African agriculture.

China sets up energy agency headed by PM (The Washington Post, 1/28/2010) China has set up a government agency headed by Premier Wen Jiabao to better coordinate energy policy, as world's second-largest power consumer faces growing domestic demand and struggles with shortages.

China to invest 12 bln yuan into rural environment protection in three years (Xinhua, 1/28/2010) China's central government plans to spend 12 billion yuan (1.76 billion U.S. dollars) on rural environment protection in the three years to 2012, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said in a statement on its website Thursday.

Hu inspects reconstruction in quake-hit Sichuan (China Daily, 1/27/2010) Chinese President Hu Jintao concluded a three-day tour to the quake-hit Shaanxi province on Tuesday, calling for more efforts to beef up reconstruction with high quality.

China unveils new rules to fight marine pollution (Port World, 1/27/2010) China has unveiled its first detailed regulations to fight marine pollution from ships. The provisions are expected to have a significant impact on ship owners.

China’s Cabinet says pollution situation still serious (Reuters, 1/27/2010) hina still faces a serious threat from pollution despite recent government efforts to clean up, the Cabinet said on Wednesday, adding the country would step up investment in environmentally friendly industries.

China to take actions on biodiversity conservation in 2010 (People’s Daily, 1/26/2010) China will step up measures to conserve biological diversity (biodiversity) this year, Minister of Environmental Protection Zhou Shengxian said Tuesday, warning conservation remains a major challenge.

China’s odd climate-change remark (UPI, 1/26/2010) China's top climate-change negotiator said he was keeping an open mind on whether global warming was man-made or the result of natural cycles.

Beijing mayor says city faces serious pollution (Reuters, 1/25/2010) Beijing's mayor Guo Jinlong said on Monday that the Chinese capital faces an "extremely serious" pollution problem, unveiling a target for "blue sky days" below the number achieved for all of 2009.

China rejects $27.9 billion of polluting projects (Bloomberg, 1/25/2010) China, the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, rejected 190.48 billion yuan ($27.9 billion) of project proposals last year because of concern they will worsen pollution, the environment agency said.

Environmental China, January 15th to January 22nd, Issue 43

2010-01-22T11:43:00.001-08:00

OPINION

Refusing to eat shark’s fin at a Chinese dinner (BBC, 1/21/2010) Having vowed to eat everything she was offered as part of her research into Chinese food culture, Fuchsia Dunlop recently found this aim came into conflict with her environmental conscience.

Solar hops: US-China cooperation; Provinces get going; Suntech shining strong (The Green Leap Forward, 1/21/2010) Its been a while since we’ve had an extensive discussion of China’s solar market. Here, we catch up with some of the major the developments in this space over the past half year or so. A new US-China dynamic highlighted by two-large scale projects, policy action by provincial-level governments, and lots of activity by Chinese solar poster child Suntech, and more!

Assessing China’s 11th Five-year plan energy conservation programs (The Green Leap Forward, 1/18/2010) A look at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s analysis on the energy conservation programs in China’s current five-year plan. For those of you in Beijing on Jan 20, you may listen to Dr. Mark Levine present these very findings at the Beijing Energy & Environment Roundtable (open free to public!). Details here.

Beware the GM giants (China Dialogue, 1/18/2010) Biotech firms are rapidly gaining ground in global agriculture. China must take a stand or else face risks to food security, argues Jiang Gaoming.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

Chinese smog clouding US skies, Scientists say (Sphere, 1/21/2010) A big culprit for a recent rise in upper-level air pollution in the western United States is ozone wafting over the Pacific Ocean from Asia, a new study suggests.

Ozone from China (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1/21/2010) Ozone from Asia is wafting across the Pacific on springtime winds and boosting the amount of the smog-producing chemical found in the skies above the Western United States, researchers said in a study published in the journal Nature. Ground-level ozone has dropped in cities thanks to tighter pollution controls, but it has risen in rural areas in the Western U.S.

China oil demand up 4 pct; coal import pace to slow (Alibaba, 1/21/2010) China's demand for gasoline, diesel and kerosene, will grow by about 4 percent this year, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Friday.

Huge water reserves discovered in northwest China basin (People’s Daily, 1/21/2010) Two giant groundwater reservoirs have been discovered in the Qaidam Basin, China's highest basin on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, said geologists Thursday.

Dam forces relocations of 300,000 more (China Daily, 1/21/2010) At least another 300,000 people living near the Three Gorges Dam will have to be relocated to protect the environment. This is in addition to the 1.138 million people already relocated for the world's largest hydropower project, a local migration official said yesterday.

Going pantsless for the environment in China (Tonic, 1/20/2010) A group in China uses pantlessness to draw attention to and raise awareness of the environmental and global climate.

Extreme cold affects millions in northwest China (AP, 1/20/2010) Closed roads and delayed flights left thousands of travelers stranded Tuesday following blizzards and extreme cold that killed four people and affected 1.6 million others in northwestern China, a government spokesman said.

WWF says China’s wild tigers face extinction (AFP, 1/19/2010) The World Wildlife Fund warned on Tuesday that the wild tiger faced extinction in China after having been decimated by poaching and the destruction of its natural habitat.

Health fears over Chinese villagers clearing up toxic rocket debris (Guardian, 1/19/2010) Hydrazines may cause respiratory problems, nausea and organ damage as 2,000 villagers recruited to clear up in Guangxi

China’s E-bikes: Less-than-perfect pioneers (Wall Street Journal, 1/19/2010) China’s experiment with electric bicycles is worth looking at because it represents the first-ever widespread adoption of an electric vehicle for commercial use. Their explosive development has posed all sorts of challenges, both in terms of regulation and pollution. It’s a big technological jump to cars from the smaller electric bikes, scooters and tricycles on China’s streets today. But some of China’s e-bike makers are already looking at how to take part in that transition, including Luyuan Group by leveraging their experience in battery technology and electric motors.

Romeo and Juliet of China captured in Karst (Circle of Blue, 1/18/2010) Sadly, I have never been to Shilin — the “Stone Forest” in Yunnan Province, China. But like many Chinese, I have been captivated since I was a small child by the tragic love story of Ashima. This ancient folktale is intertwined with the towering spires in Shilin — it is Romeo and Juliet in karst stone.

Scientists discover avian influenza outbreak closely related to bird migration (Xinhua, 11/16/2010) A research jointly conducted by Chinese and Asian scientists has discovered that highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) outbreak was closely related to bird migration.

CORPORATIONS

Eco-friendly models dominate line (Hardware and DIY, 1/21/2010) China suppliers of wood and bamboo flooring are focusing on environment-friendly designs amid growing ecological awareness in the key markets of the US and the EU.

All’s well that’s Anwell (AsiaOne, 1/21/2010) China might have disappointed many in the recent Copenhagen summit, but some environment watchers feel that it has come a long way to commit itself towards cutting carbon emissions.

New high-tech industrial park in China investigates water reuse for new plants (Water Online, 1/21/2010) Black & Veatch and Zhongying Precious Metal Company Ltd., are investigating advanced technologies that would provide sustainable options for two new wastewater treatment plants. The plants will treat domestic and industrial waste at a new industrial park in the Lunggang District of Shenzhen. One treatment option under investigation would provide for potential water reuse applications.

China can be pre-eminent market for air and water trading (Trading Markets, 1/21/2010) Having setting up the only carbon exchange in North America, Richard Sandor, chairman and founder of Chicago Climate Exchange, said Thursday that China can become the pre-eminent market for trading air and water at the Asian Financial Forum here.

Sinopec Zhenhai refinery to try heavy crude (Alibaba, 1/21/2010) The Zhenhai Refinery of China Petroleum & Chemical Corp, also known as Sinopec, has started refining Castilla Blend crude oil imported from Columbia, sources reported.

China’s renewable energy industry develops rapidly (People’s Daily, 1/21/2010) China's renewable energy industry is still developing rapidly and China made important progress in photovoltaic (PV) power generation, and the installed capacity of China's wind power generators reached 22 million kW last year, said officials from the National Energy Administration at the China Forum on New Energy.

Analysis: China’s shipbuilding rush holds dangers (iStockAnalyst, 1/21/2010)

It has been about one year since China adopted its shipbuilding stimulus plan. Apart from pledges to support Chinese shipbuilders financially, the stimulus plan focuses on the necessity to control overcapacity in the industry.

China’s biggest coal terminal shut by strong gales (Bloomberg, 1/20/2010) Qinhuangdao, China’s biggest coal port, was shut for the second time in three days as strong gales disrupted shipments of the fuel to users on the country’s eastern and southern coasts. The northern port has halted operations since 3 a.m. local time today, David Fang, a director at the China Coal Transport and Distribution Association, said by telephone in Beijing.

Cadmium in Chinese jewelry causes uproar (Greentech Info, 1/19/2010) Cadmium levels in children's jewellery sometimes exceed 90 per cent. The fact that the items were manufactured in China and exported to the US has caused great havoc in public debate in both countries.

Tracing Kunming, China’s freshwater hazards (Circle of Blue, 1/19/2010) The ground quakes with a blast as the limestone fragments are blown from their roots, like giant white teeth shattered and unmoored. Nearby, a worker prepares his drill to place another stick of dynamite deep within the rock. He stops for a moment, places his foot high on the rubble and surveys the vast construction landscape that will soon become China’s fourth largest airport.

CNPC says global rivalry to affect China oil imports (Bloomberg, 1/19/2010) Rising global competition and volatile energy prices will affect Chinese oil imports, making it more difficult to guarantee domestic fuel supplies, China National Petroleum Corp. said.

Bankrupt tycoon Chen captures Chinese wastelands in photographs (Bloomberg, 1/18/2010) In May 2001, life, as Chinese property tycoon Chen Jiagang knew it, “closed in like flood waters.” A court in China’s west-central city of Chengdu had declared the entrepreneur bankrupt, stripping the 38-year-old of assets to pay off creditors and leaving him with no money to buy even a meal of boiled rice, said Chen, now 46. This descent from being one of the nation’s richest men under Deng Xiaoping’s 1978 pro-capitalist economic reform program to pauper was like “free-falling into hell.”

GOVERNMENT

Low-carbon tourism zone established near Beijing (ChinaCSR, 1/22/2010) According to the website of the China National Tourism Administration, a low-carbon tourism zone as been established in Miyun county that is claimed to be the first of its kind.

China to set up first national industrial transfer zone (Xinhua, 1/22/2010) China's government has approved plans to build its first national-level industrial transfer zone to encourage the relocation of low-end industries from coastal regions to inland areas.

Tangshan to invest CNY 6 billion fighting pollution in 2009 (Steel Guru, 1/22/2010) According to the press conference of Tangshan, Hebei province that the city has cumulatively accomplished nearly 900 pollutant source control projects in 2009 with a total input of about CNY 6 billion.

24-hour keeping watch to protect Lhalu Wetland (People’s Daily, 1/21/2010) A campaign for protecting the Lhalu Wetland in Lhasa, capital of Tibet has gained effective results by 24-hour keeping watch and patrol, according to Lhasa Environmental Protection Bureau.

Watching how you tread (Xinhua, 1/21/2010) - Since the United Nation's climate change conference in Copenhagen last month, low carbon tourism has seen a rise in popularity, with many travelers keen to reduce their carbon footprint while on vacation. China Tourism Administration recently announced low carbon development strategies as part of their plan to accelerate tourism, in an effort to minimalize the environmental impact of traveling.

Underground city plans not ‘hollow’ ideas (China Daily, 1/21/2010) Dongcheng district will dig and clear out 8 sq km of underground space in the next 20 years to fill with public constructions including shopping malls and subterranean roads.

Regret on Himalayan glaciers estimate (New York Times, 1/20/2010) An international scientific panel overseen by the United Nations expressed “regret” on Wednesday for publishing an unsupported estimate of the speed at which Himalayan glaciers were melting.

Hospitals to receive smoking checkups (China Daily, 1/20/2010) An independent special taskforce will be established to conduct surprise checks at medical institutions, including hospitals and health administrations, across China this year to enforce the ban on smoking, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Monday.

China chemical plant fire poses no threat to Russians – ministry (ITAR-TASS, 1/19/2010) The recent fire at a chemical plant in the Chinese Jilin province poses no threat to the life and health of Russians. According to the daily monitoring of the environment conducted by services of the Russian Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring Agency (Rosgidromet) and Federal Consumer Rights Protection and Human Health Control Service (Rospotrebnadzor), no deviations from the norms of toxic agents’ content in the air, water and soil have been registered in the Amur region, Jewish Autonomous Area, Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories over the past 24 hours, the Far East regional centre of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry reported.

China’s help on jellyfish sought (Japan Times, 1/19/2010) Japan will ask China to conduct joint studies of the massive encroachment of giant jellyfish off China that has proved a headache for the Japanese fishery industry, according to diplomatic sources.

Watery data: China counts the drops (Wall Street Journal, 1/18/2010) China, in its first-ever nationwide water resources survey will attempt to quantify just how much water it has, how much it needs and how much pollution is part of the flow.

China to expand smoking bans as health awareness rises in world’s largest tobacco consumer (CP, 1/17/2010) China is tightening smoking regulations to ban lighting up in any indoor public spaces in seven provincial capitals, the latest sign of rising health awareness in the world's largest tobacco-consuming nation.

China’s Xinjiang reports food-and-mouth disease outbreak (Xinhua, 1/16/2010) The Ministry of Agriculture on Friday said foot-and-mouth disease involving 28 cattle hit Korla city in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Issue 39, December 11th to December 18th, 2009

2009-12-17T23:30:00.000-08:00

OPINION

Green Leap Forward has a great series of posts on China’s involvement at Copenhagen.

The Monitor’s View: China can’t be cool to Obama demands on global warming (Christian Science Monitor, 12/17/2009) The world will hardly know if global warming is being curbed if the largest emitter of carbon – China – isn’t releasing accurate data about its pollution.

To seal a deal, we need justice (Chinadialogue, 12/17/2009) An agreement seems beyond reach at Copenhagen. Ma Jun blames an inability to balance the need for efficiency with the principle of equity.

A Quiet Revolution: China’s Climate Future (The Green Leap Forward, 12/16/2009) If you’re searching for vision at this week’s Copenhagen climate conference, take a look between the lines at what China’s saying on global warming. From increasing the share of renewable energy to promoting a new “low-carbon mentality” among its citizens, China has made a name for itself as the first industrializing country — ever — to make serious efforts to limit the contribution of its economic development to climate change. By some estimates, these measures will reduce China’s emissions by an amount greater than the total reductions achieved by all parties under the Kyoto Protocol.

Is China ready for cap and trade? (Chinadialogue, 12/15/2009) Can countries without national curbs on greenhouse gases adopt emissions trading schemes? It’s a debate that splits China’s environmental entrepreneurs. Cao Haili reports.

Offshore wind makes sense for China (Renewable Energy World, 12/14/2009) One of the thorniest issues that should be addressed at the COP 15 conference in Copenhagen is how large developing nations such as China can continue to grow their economies without producing catastrophic levels of carbon emissions. We believe that a central part of the answer must be renewable energy, and that China should do what it can to encourage renewable energy technology transfer from nations with renewables experience such as Scotland, which continues to build leading-edge capabilities in this increasingly critical area.

China diverting toxic waste to North Korea, emerging information suggests (New Energy and Environment Digest, 12/14/2009) China has taken considerable steps in recent years to address electronic waste management practices unsafe for the individuals involved and harmful to local land and water supplies, as NEEDigest has previously reported.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

Most throw cold water on China warming theory (Los Angeles Times, 12/17/2009) Reporting from Beijing - In the debate over global warming, some historical meteorologists in China pose a contrarian view.Their theory, in a nutshell? Some like it hot.

Farmer from ‘Cancer Village’ fights factory pollution (Epoch Times, 12/17/2009) Two years after his daughter died from leukemia thought to be linked to local pollution, Feng Jun, the girl’s father, did the only thing he could: file a lawsuit. That was in March this year. There have now been five hearings, and nothing has changed.

Dams and development threaten Mekong (New York Times, 12/17/2009) Basket loads of fish, villagers bathing along the banks of the river, a farmer’s market selling jungle delicacies — these are Pornlert Prompanya’s boyhood memories of a wild and pristine Mekong River.

How fishing changed China’s environment examined (Georgetown University News, 12/17/2009) In his new book, "Fishing Wars and Environmental Change in Late Imperial and Modern China" (Harvard University Press, 2009), Micah Muscolino looks at the history of fisheries in the east coast Chinese city of Zhoushan.

Jam will lead to more pollution: Experts (China Daily, 12/16/2009) Despite success in slashing the number of heavy pollution days in the city this year, Beijing still faces an environmental debt from its mounting traffic congestion, air pollution specialists warned yesterday.

Choking in China’s polluted city (CNN, 12/16/2009) On the road into Linfen, the cars seem to disappear into dense smog that clings to vanishing buildings.

The sun shines through a murky haze, if at all. The smells of industry are pungent. Just a few minutes outside and your eyes start to sting, your throat starts to hurt. You may feel dizzy or nauseous.

Chinese frugal tradition helps global carbon fight (Xinhua, 12/16/2009) The 65-year-old is one of hundreds of millions elderly Chinese who continue their frugal ways in an era of fast economic growth and greatly improved living conditions. For them, frugality means not only saving money but also cherishing precious daily resources. "Being able to afford the water bill does not mean you can waste water," He Shulan tells her daughter and son-in-law.

Why do Shanghainese people not care aout our planet? (CNNGo, 12/16/2009) For those who come to Shanghai for the first time, what strikes them the most is not only how tall the skyscrapers are, but also how smoggy the skies can be. With the UN’s 2009 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen still in the news, it seems almost politically incorrect to not talk about the environment; however, according to QQ.com, environmental issues barely make the daily list of concerns for average Shanghainese person.

Smog sinks Hong Kong’s famous skyline (AFP, 12/16/2009) On top of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, groups of tourists find themselves staring down at an apocalyptic vision of a towering city shrouded in a menacing grey smog.

One woman’s fight against pollution in China (AFP, 12/16/2009) After years of campaigning to clean up the sludge-filled rivers and acrid air of central China's Henan province, Tian Guirong no longer has a bed to call her own and says she fears for her life.

Glaciers in southern China receding rapidly, scientists say (Los Angeles Times, 12/15/2009) Yulong Snow Mountain, which used to be a brilliant white, is now mostly gray, worrying those who study it and see it as a sort of canary in a coal mine.

CORPORATIONS

China’s rising appetite for bullion and base metals (Commodity Online, 12/18/2009) No country in the world has such a rising appetite for base metals like copper, aluminum, lead and precious bullion metals such as gold, silver and platinum like China. The dragon country is going all out to amass massive quantities of base metals and bullion in its reserves.

China mulls European solar projects (Wall Street Journal, 12/18/2009) State-owned China Energy Conservation Investment Corp., the nation's flagship developer of clean and renewable energy, is in talks to invest and operate solar utility projects in Spain, Italy and Germany, a company executive said Wednesday.

Vega’s China venture to use special torrefaction technology in ten manufacturing plants (MarketWire, 12/17/2009) VEGA PROMOTIONAL SYSTEMS, INC. (PINKSHEETS: VGPR) recently announced the Company has entered into a Joint Venture Agreement to build multiple manufacturing plants throughout China to produce alternative energy using torrefaction technology.

Challenges for China’s recycling industry (CCTV, 12/17/2009) Towns and villages across China are facing the problem of mountains of rubbish. Experts say this waste material is one source of carbon emission in the country. CCTV reporter takes a look one small effort going on just outside Beijing to manage this problem.

China to invest $40 billion in water infrastructure (SmallCapInvestor, 12/17/2009) I ran this excerpt from Samuel Coleridge’s 18th century poem back in October when I discussed the global scarcity of drinking water. Today I’ve included it again because I’m adding a water stock to my SmallCapInvestor PRO portfolio that has the potential to help solve China’s water shortage, and post huge gains for investors.

The Green Rush is on in China (NPR, 12/16/2009) A new gold rush in China is actually a green rush — an urgent drive to develop green technologies. One group of Western companies, the Cleantech Initiative, suggests China's market for renewable energy could eventually be worth as much as $500 billion to $1 trillion a year.

Pepsi facilities in China, Chile deploy Orion energy systems technology (CNNMoney, 12/16/2009) PepsiCo International has chosen to install technology from Orion Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OESX) at its Nanchang, China, and Santiago, Chile, facilities -- projects that will reduce energy waste and associated energy costs.

China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline benefits all sides (People’s Daily, 12/15/2009) The China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline starts from the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, runs through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and finally ends at Horgos City in China. It is a double-line pipeline, including line A and line B, and has a length of 1,833 kilometers. Line A was tested and put into operation at the beginning of December 2009. According to the project's construction plans, both lines will be completed and begin transporting natural gas in 2010.

Pigs potty-trained to reduce water pollution (The China Post, 12/14/2009) In response to the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)'s new levy to impose a water pollution fee on factories and farms starting next July, hog farms — a major water polluter — are potty-training their livestock to abate the potential costs added by the levy.

Sparks fly as China quarrels over battery-powered bikes (Reuters, 12/14/2009) China's vast population of battery-powered bikes is the focus of uproar after new rules ignited public fears, and hopes among some, that these pack mules of the nation's economic boom could be run off the road.

Can China turn cotton green? (Miller-McCune, 12/14/2009) That "all-natural" cotton T-shirt in your closet? The one with the eco-friendly message brightly printed on the front? Ounce for ounce, it could be the most environmentally toxic item of clothing you own. From the water and agrichemicals lavished on cotton grown in some of the world's driest regions (approximately one-third of the pesticide and fertilizer produced worldwide gets sprayed or dusted on cotton), through multihued rivers of waste streaming from textile mills to landfills bulging with castoff clothing, the life cycle of the humble cotton tee has left ecological wreckage in its wake.

Caterpillar announces remanufacturing joint venture with China Yuchai to promote China’s sustainability and environmental preservation initiatives (PRNewswire, 12/14/2009) Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), through Caterpillar (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (Caterpillar China), and China Yuchai International Limited (NYSE: CYD), through its main operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Co., Ltd. (Yuchai) have signed a joint-venture agreement to establish a company to provide remanufacturing services for Yuchai diesel engines and components and certain Caterpillar diesel engines and components.

UK company bribed Chinese official (Times Online, 12/14/2009) A British environmental consulting company which lists “integrity” among its corporate values bribed a Chinese official with £15,000 to win contracts, according to official reports of a court case in Shanghai. Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is said to have paid off an influential bureaucrat in the city’s environmental protection office who is now on trial.

GOVERNMENT

It is not China’s style to let the green inspectors rummage around (The Times, 12/18/2009) For nations of a nervous disposition, there is an ocean of difference between “transparency” and “scrutiny”: a commitment to the first is a sop, a commitment to the second is a surrender.

China to invest over 3 trillion yuan in environment: report (AFP, 12/18/2009)

China is to invest more than three trillion yuan (440 billion dollars) in environmental protection over five years from 2011, state media said Thursday, as the country battles widespread pollution.

Hindi-Chini camaraderie at Copenhagen (Business Standard, 12/18/2009) It has been a prickly year for China-India ties with the Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute poisoning bilateral rhetoric. In Copenhagen, Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai is back in vogue with the two sides holding meetings up to six times a day, according to Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.

China begins construction on world’s longest sea bridge (Mother Nature Network, 12/17/2009) The bridge, which includes an underwater tunnel, will span 50 km and provide a Y-shaped link between Hong Kong, Macau and China.

China continues grip on coal (UPI, 12/17/2009) While the Chinese government is embracing energy efficiency and investing in new green technology, China continues to burn coal at record rates.

Copenhagen climate summit: China is optimistic about a deal (Telegraph, 12/17/2009) Today world leaders, including Wen Jiabao, the Chinese premier, will gather in Copenhagen. Deal or no deal, they know that there must be a global effort to tackle climate change. China is upbeat about the prospect.

Xie overcame toxic spill to become China’s top climate official (Bloomberg, 12/16/2009) Xie Zhenhua was head of China’s state environmental protection agency in 2005 when a toxic spill almost ended his career. Four years later, Xie leads a Chinese delegation at odds with the U.S. at Copenhagen’s climate talks.

Tibetans to invite Chinese scientists and environmentalists for discussion at Copenhagen (Tibet.net, 12/16/2009) The Tibetan delegation has invited around 10 Chinese scientists and environmentalists based in Denmark for their participation in a panel discussion on 'Nomads: Climate Change and Human Rights, scheduled Thursday, 17 December. 

China’s Lanzhou makes plans to reduce mass transport emissions (Cleantech, 12/16/2009) Lanzhou, China’s rapid transit system is going to be cleaning up its act, thanks to some recent support from the Asian Development Bank, according to Ecoseed. The $480.3 million project is expected to decrease transportation time and cost, as it cuts down greenhouse gas emissions.

Nuclear power expansion in China stirs concern (New York Times, 12/15/2009) China is preparing to build three times as many nuclear power plants in the coming decade as the rest of the world combined, a breakneck pace with the potential to help slow global warming.

China’s 2020 emissions based on sound science: expert (Xinhua, 12/15/2009) China's recently announced carbon intensity target is a notable goal based on sound science, said a Chinese climate expert attending the ongoing UN-led climate talks here.

China’s first solar energy village project launched (People’s Daily, 12/14/2009) The "Sunny Village" project, China's first pilot project centering on comprehensive utilization of solar energy, was recently launched in Xingtai City, Hebei province. The project is located in the Xingtai Development Zone's Baiquan Village. With a total investment of 6 million yuan, the first phase involves 100 wind and solar energy street lamps, 100 wind and solar energy landscape lamps and the application of photovoltaic solar energy technology in the construction of a residential building.

Water pollution plagues China (Free Speech Radio News, 12/14/2009) Water pollution is one of China’s most severe environmental problems. According to environmental monitors it affects almost 70% of the country’s rivers, lakes and reservoirs. The Chinese government has tried to implement a number of laws to address the problem, but a series of recent reports by Greenpeace has shown that the situation is only getting worse - and they're blaming major companies for continuing to dump their waste. From Beijing, FSRN’s Shuk-Wah Chung has more.

Heat on China to break impasse at Copenhagen (The Australian, 12/14/2009) Australia has appealed to China to step up to the leadership role expected of a global superpower, as a standoff between the US and China deadlocked the Copenhagen climate change talks.

Chinese vice premier calls for safe, environment-friendly river shipping (Xinhua, 12/12/2009) Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang urged efforts to ensure safe and environment-friendly river shipping to facilitate regional economic expansion.

U.S. climate negotiator ‘lacks common sense,’ Chinese diplomat says (New York Times, 12/11/2009) Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei lashed out today at U.S. climate negotiator Todd Stern, calling "extremely irresponsible" his recent pronouncement that no American climate change funding would go to China.

Shanghai to impose wider ban on smoking in public venues (People’s Daily, 12/11/2009) Shanghai is to impose a wider ban on smoking in the city's public places beginning March 1 next year, according to a draft amendment to the existing anti-smoking law approved by the city's top legislature.

Riverside Chinese city builds a waterborne passenger transport system (CCTV, 12/11/2009) Wuhan, a city perched in the middle reaches of the Yangtze, China's longest waterway, is building a waterborne passenger transport system to ease road traffic congestion.

IEA raises China oil demand outlook, probes gasoline use riddle (Dow Jones Newswires, 12/11/2009) The International Energy Agency raised its forecasts for China's oil consumption in 2009 and next year, but said Friday it has yet to solve the mystery of why the country's gasoline demand is subdued when car sales are surging.

Government promises new homes for central China sunken village (Xinhua, 12/11/2009) A total of 154 people will have new or renovated homes under a government-funded plan to reconstruct a central China village that was damaged by subsidence caused by rampant gypsum mining, local officials said Friday.

Issue 38, December 4th to December 11th, 2009

2009-12-13T03:03:00.000-08:00

OPINION

Green Leap Forward has a great series of posts on China’s involvement at Copenhagen.

Growing China industry helps clean energy boom (WWF, 12/11/2009) Clean energy technology is on track to become the third largest industrial sector globally with a rapidly increasing share taken up by China, predicted a WWF report released at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen today.

How to cooperate on climate (Chinadialogue, 12/10/2009) A deal between the American state of California and China's Jiangsu province provides a promising model of international partnership. Linden Ellis reports.

Young China’s long green march (Chinadialogue, 12/09/2009) The work of the country’s largest youth environmental movement is only beginning, writes Huo Weiya. Students’ sense of not doing enough provides an impetus to keep going.

Profit from China’s terrible problem (Street Authority, 12/09/2009) An unprecedented level of industrial expansion during the past two decades has not only made China wealthy. It's made the country really dirty. Now comes the clean up.

Why the best legacy of Copenhagen could be a stronger China (Treehugger, 12/08/09) The slight prospects for a deal at Copenhagen are already being pinned largely on the US and China. But with Obama's hands tied behind his back partly by the US Congress, with China already demonstrating leadership on renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts, and with both the developing and developed world hanging on Beijing's every word, the success or failure of Copenhagen will in large part depend upon China.

Zhu Zhu pets made in China disaster versus American Green Toys (Everything PR, 12/07/2009) Zhu Zhu Pets are made in China, in the least safe environment you can imagine. They are designed for children aged 4 and up, although on several sites the manufacturer recommends this product for children aged 3 – recommendation that does not comply with their own testing reports, made available by the company AFTER our editorial yesterday. According to this report, the toys were first tested in April 2009 – it is very possible that one toy in particular doesn’t comply with these safety norms, considering how many were recently produced to satisfy the public demands.

China’s big investment in alternative energy source for US is worrisome (Lubbock Avalanche Journal, 12/04/2009) China's big leap into the U.S. renewable energy market by putting up more than a billion dollars for a wind farm in West Texas is disturbing on several levels.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

Climate change creates environment of poverty in China (Xinhua, 12/10/2009) In the last four years, global warming has been blamed for worsening droughts around Liaoning, with a summer drought in 2006,a spring drought in 2007 and an autumn drought in 2008.

New book chronicles China’s green movement (China Daily, 12/10/2009) China's first bilingual collection on climate change and environment protection, a joint effort of China Daily journalists and columnists, has been published this week in conjunction with the Copenhagen summit.

Chinese see environment as biggest security threat (Newsweek, 12/10/2009) What does China see as its greatest threat? Beijing may finger the U.S., but a new poll of Chinese public opinion shows that people on the ground are more worried about the environment and domestic woes than geopolitical enemies.

China to resettle at least 440,000 for water project (AFP, 12/09/2009) China will resettle at least 440,000 people to make way for a massive and much-delayed project aimed at diverting water to meet growing demand in the parched north, state media said Wednesday.

Beijing explores new ways to dispose of bio wastes (CCTV, 12/09/2009) There have already been around 400 tons of leaves that have fallen alongside the streets of Shijingshan District this winter. Instead of being mixed with domestic waste and buried on landfill sites like in the past, the leaves have been used to feed oxen and sheep at a livestock farm whose owner came to sanitation stations and asked for the leaves.

Berkeley lab experts assist in the greening of China (Science Daily, 12/08/2009) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory scientists Lynn Price and Nan Zhou expected the long banquet and endless toasting. What they did not expect on a recent trip to a cement plant in central China was a three-hour variety show by the factory employees, complete with folk dancing, song-and-dance numbers and comedians. Even more surprising were the lyrics to one of the songs: "I started to listen closely and realized they were singing about closing inefficient factories, next year's clean production targets and so on," said Zhou.

Macao finds water saving campaign is worth its salt (Xinhua, 12/08/2009) Irene Kan sighs with relief when she reads the "green" classification for the salinity of Macao's drinking water. The 25-year-old office clerk in downtown Macao checks tap water salinity level on the Macao government website every day.

Higher lung cancer risk in eastern China: study (Reuters, 12/07/2009) People in eastern China likely have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than those in western China because of extensive burning of biomass fuels in homes and factories, according to a study.

CORPORATIONS

Chinese car market overtakes that of United States (AP, 12/11/2009) China has overtaken the U.S. as the world's biggest market for automobiles, the first time any other country has bought more vehicles than the nation that produced Henry Ford, the Cadillac and the minivan.

Longest power project completed in China (CCTV, 12/11/2009) Stretching nearly 2,000 kilometers, the power-transmitting project covers the longest distance in the world. The project starts in Sichuan province, where rich water resources there will be used to generate electricity.

Peanut shells, corn stalks: China’s alternative to coal? (Taiwan News, 12/11/2009) Mountains of peanut shells are spread out across Shengchang Bioenergy's property on the outskirts of Beijing. Local farmers drive in and out, unloading dried corn stalks in exchange for a small fee.

China’s Longyuan in strong debut (Financial Times, 12/11/2009) Shares in China Longyuan Power Group, Asia's largest wind power generator, rose 9.4 per cent on their Hong Kong debut yesterday to HK$8.93 in a sign of robust investor appetite for the renewable energy sector.

Evergreen only plans to grow in China (Boston Herald, 12/11/2009) Evergreen Solar Inc. - championed as the state’s green energy leader - now says that it’s only going to expand in China. To survive, spokesman Chris Lawson said, Evergreen needs China’s deep subsidies and cheap labor.

China ups ante on carbon emissions with new Picarro contract (Venture Beat, 12/10/2009) Picarro, maker of a system that measures the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to a surprisingly accurate degree, has landed a major contract to provide the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) with twice the number of systems as expected.

China’s rail program receives $1 billion boost in funding from ADB (Asian Development Bank, 12/10/2009) The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is to receive up to $1 billion from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in a landmark program to support cleaner, safer and more energy efficient railway services in poor southwest regions of the country.

Chinese Environmental Protection Industry, 2008-2009 – new report released (PRNewswire, 12/10/2009) From January to November of 2008, the sales value of the special equipment manufacturing industry for environmental protection and social public security was RMB 103.410 billion, growing by 27.66% YOY. The growth rates of special equipments for environmental protection and social public security fell by 9.66% YOY and 12.08% YOY.

Siemens seeks China growth (Wall Street Journal, 12/09/2009) Siemens AG, hoping to capitalize on China's growing demand for green technology, said Tuesday its environmental business accounted for a significant proportion of around 2 billion yuan ($293 million) worth of new orders it has signed in the past few days with Chinese firms.

Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline nearly operational (The Seattle Times, 12/09/2009) A natural gas pipeline linking Turkmenistan and China is nearly operational and President Hu Jintao will attend an inauguration ceremony during a visit to the central Asian nation this weekend, a senior Chinese diplomat said Thursday.

Skystar Bio-Pharmaceutical acquires exclusive aquaculture vaccine technology and provides operational update on facility development (MarketWire, 12/09/2009) Skystar Bio-Pharmaceutical Company (NASDAQ: SKBI) ("Skystar" or the "Company"), a China-based producer and distributor of veterinary medicines, vaccines, micro-organisms and feed additives, today announced that it has purchased an exclusive aquaculture vaccine technology from and signed a collaborative research and development agreement with China's Fourth Military Medical University ("FMMU") for RMB 8 million (approximately US $1.2 million), granting Skystar exclusivity on the patent through 2012.

Chinese eco-farm turns chicken poop into usable power (ABC, 12/09/2009) Billed by state media as an ecological farm, it was first set up nine years ago by a private Chinese agribusiness firm to raise chickens and supply Chinese consumers with organic eggs. With the use of imported technology, this pioneering eco-farm now turns chicken poop into biogas and electricity and plays a role in China's effort to reduce its carbon emissions. In its own way, this farm is part of China's search for a model of sustainable agriculture with clean energy.

Dow Corning wins award for corporate social responsibility in China (Webwire, 12/09/2009) Dow Corning Corporation, a global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, has won the 2009 American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award.

Husky Energy finds big gas field off China (Reuters, 12/08/2009) Husky Energy Inc (HSE.TO), Canada's No. 3 integrated oil company, said on Tuesday it has tapped into another big gas field off China's coast similar to its massive Liwan discovery in 2006, one of the biggest-ever gas finds off the country's shore.

CNOOC may double oil, gas production off South China (Bloomberg, 12/07/2009) Cnooc Ltd., China’s biggest offshore oil explorer, may double its crude oil and natural gas production in the western part of the South China Sea to meet rising energy demand in the country.

Chana Auto launches China’s first electric only powered vehicle (People’s Daily, 12/07/2009) Benni-I electric cars, China's first electric-only powered vehicles, started rolling off the production line at Chana Auto Company's Chongqing Yubei Plant December 6. This model will be officially put on sale in the second half of next year, said Chana Auto president Xu Liuping.

China’s Shandong to get 10 million tons/year crude via Rizhao pipeline (Dow Jones, 12/07/2009) Independent refineries in China's Shandong province will be receiving 10 million tons a year of crude oil from the Middle East by mid- 2011, easing a shortage of feedstock for production of fuel oil, the China Chemical Industry News said Monday, citing an official from the local industry association.

Chinese group to build biomass geothermal plants in Pakistan (Power Group, 12/04/2009) China's A-Power Energy Generation Systems and Shenyang Power Group (SPG), a subsidiary of A-Power, have signed agreements with Pakistan Amraas International on two separate distributed generation projects in Pakistan.

China’s Sinopec secures gas from Exxon Mobil (BBC, 12/04/2009) China's second biggest oil and gas company has secured a 20-year supply of gas from Papua New Guinea.

GOVERNMENT

China boosts auto trade-in subsidies (CCTV, 12/11/2009) Something else that's likely to boost car-sales, although this time through higher subsidies encouraging car owners to trade what they have for a new model. With older models often less energy efficient, this move could both drive up sales in new cars while helping protect the environment.

China’s Hu to woo Central Asia energy suppliers (Reuters, 12/11/2009) Chinese leader Hu Jintao will mark a new milestone in Beijing's quest for control over Central Asia's energy resources when he inaugurates a new gas pipeline from Turkmenistan next week.

China’s human rights development moves ahead with abolishment of shooting execution (Xinhua, 12/11/2009) A northeastern Chinese province announced Thursday that shooting as a means of death penalty execution had become something of the past within its jurisdiction.

China races to invest in green energy (Washington Times, 12/11/2009) Regardless of the outcome of this month's climate talks in Copenhagen, China is sprinting ahead in an effort to develop renewable energy sources - especially solar and wind power - to ease its reliance on carbon-rich coal.

China’s pollution to double by 2050, US not to fund emission control costs (Domain-b.com, 12/10/2009) The US chief negotiator at the UN climate summit said the US would not hand over money to China and other developing nations to subsidise their efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. He also said the developing nations would not be allowed to be exempted from demands that they burn less fuels.

China delays controversial incinerator after protests (Reuters, 12/10/2009) Authorities in China's southern city of Guangzhou have put off plans to install a garbage incinerator after hundreds of people protested, saying its location posed a health hazard.

Chinese province uses Japan loans in ecosystem improvement for inland lake (Xinhua, 12/10/2009) The northwestern province of Qinghai is progressing with ecosystem improvement for the Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland lake, with Japanese government loans, local economic planning agency said Thursday.

China struggles to fuel its nuclear energy boom (Reuters, 12/10/2009) China is driving ahead with an ambitious program to expand its atomic energy capacity over the next decade, raising questions about its ability to find the uranium it will need, at home or abroad.

China to continue resource products pricing reform (Xinhua, 12/10/2009) China will continue resource products pricing reform next year to promote energy saving and emissions reduction while efforts would be made to guarantee that people's livelihood not affected by price fluctuations, a senior economic planning official said Thursday.

Governments turn to cloud seeding to fight drought, but money and science post obstacles (LA Times, 12/10/2009) On a mountaintop clearing in the Sierra Nevada stands a tall metal platform holding a crude furnace and a box of silver iodide solution that some scientists believe could help offer relief from searing droughts.

Chinese delegation pushes population control at Copenhagen (Lifenews.com, 12/10/2009) The Chinese delegation to the international climate change summit isn't pushing reducing carbon emissions or promoting recycling as a way of protecting the environment. Instead, Chinese officials say population control is an important part of promoting environmental policies.

China: Climate change or hot air? (BusinessWeek, 12/09/2009) On the wooded hills outside the city of Harbin in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, Chinese developers are building towering wind turbines that will spin day and night to generate clean electricity. The project represents the hope that China, which recently surpassed the U.S. as the world's largest source of greenhouse gases, has truly embraced environmentalism.

China to close steel mills failing environmental limits (Bloomberg, 12/09/2009) China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, set new environmental and power standards for steelmakers and threatened closures to curb pollution and overcapacity.

Carbon-trading scheme undermined by Chinese projects (The Epoch Times, 12/08/2009) As the Copenhagen climate conference opens, the existing mechanism for carbon trading is drawing close scrutiny. The Chinese authorities’ misuse of the carbon credit scheme, CDM, has come to the surface, challenging the effectiveness of the global carbon trade in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Renewables to supply one-third of China’s energy by 2050 (Reuters, 12/06/2009) China's renewable energy strategy through 2050 envisions renewable energy making up one-third of its energy consumption by then, the China Daily said, as the upcoming Copenhagen conference on climate change highlights the world's dependence on fossil fuels.

China’s costly climate goals: report (AFP, 12/04/2009) China will need to invest up to 30 billion dollars a year to meet its goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions, the state press said Friday, citing an academic study.

China denounces carbon tariff idea ahead of Copenhagen (Reuters, 12/04/2009) China's official news agency has denounced proposals for "carbon tariffs" on goods from big greenhouse gas emitting countries, saying on Friday that the idea could trigger trade battles with poor countries.

China jails officials over dam collapse cover-up (Reuters, 12/04/2009) China has sentenced 13 low-level officials to jail for an iron mine dam collapse just before the Olympic Games opened in Beijing last year, which was hushed up despite killing at least 43 nearby villagers.

Issue 37, November 27th to December 4th, 2009

2009-12-06T23:54:00.000-08:00

OPINION

Making energy efficiency pay off (China International Business, 12/04/2009) Consider this: to produce one unit of GDP, China uses an amount of energy two-and-a-half times the world average. This places energy efficiency as a key priority for China, both in simple bottom-line and environmental terms. It also creates great opportunities for market-based solutions.

China has not lowered subsidized tariffs for wind projects (Financial Times, 12/04/2009) Sir, Your report “UN halts funds to China wind farms” (December 2) refers to the unsubstantiated accusation that the Chinese government has fiddled policy to attract Clean Development Mechanism investment. From what we hear, this is a hot topic of debate within the CDM’s executive board as it meets in Copenhagen this week, in advance of the climate summit.

China’s climate games (DNA India, 12/04/2009) Chinese officials have demonstrated often enough that they are the ultimate 'climate change' artists. At the Beijing Olympics of 2008, and during the celebration earlier this year to mark the 60th anniversary of China's founding, Beijing's weather modification bureau officials demonstrably changed the skies over the capital city from a muggy grey to a shining blue, to the wonderment of the world.

Can China be a world leader in green alternatives? (China Worker, 12/03/2009) We see a glimpse of the possibilities to stem climate change in the development of China’s solar and wind industries today, which have grown rapidly. But these developments are being held back and distorted by the demands of global and Chinese capitalism, causing investment bubbles, overcapacity (unbelievably) and extreme imbalances.

Two faces of China’s coal industry (Chinadialogue, 12/02/2009) A project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, could eventually clean up the planet's fastest growing source of greenhouse gases. Jonathan Watts reports.

Can China go green? (BBC, 12/02/2009) Jonathon Porritt reports from China, where, amidst the toxic power stations and burgeoning numbers of cars, he finds some extraordinary and pioneering green solutions.

China is tackling climate change better than the US – Discuss (Huffington Post, 12/02/2009) As the two titans of greenhouse gas emissions announced their first climate pledges last week, the US and China didn't look like were trying hard to impress anyone or one-up each other. Their modest, if politically pragmatic commitments represented the end of a years-long back-room bilateral game of carbon poker, full of bluffing, posturing, the heckling of India and US Congressmen, and now, a couple of mediocre hands. Neither side looks like a winner yet.

China’s Cophenhagen (The Energy Collective, 12/01/2009) It is a long-held truth that China will inevitably stride on to the centre stage of world affairs as it grows in power and influence. China has no doubt become a major player in trade, development and the environment. More crucially for the topic at hand, China became the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide in 2007, overtaking the United States for the honor and in the last two years has only widened the gap. As one of the largest contributors to climate change Chinese consent is clearly crucial to any agreement (however limited) in Copenhagen and its now necessary successors. However, does this all add up to make China the linchpin of Copenhagen? In short, no.

China’s best party school? (China Environmental Law Blog, 11/30/2009) The Panyu waste incineration plant protest in Guangzhou last week was important for a number of reasons, but one of the most thoughtful takes on the event comes from an unlikely source, the Communist Party of China’s Guangdong Party School.

Lessons from China’ Three Gorges Dam (Asia-Pacific Journal, 11/30/2009) The world’s largest hydropower project has reached its final dimensions. Peter Bosshard draws conclusions from the Three Gorges experience.

Storming the clouds (Chinadialogue, 11/27/2009) Chinese scientists claim to be able to control the weather. But is geoengineering more than wishful thinking? And, if so, should we be worried? David Adam reports.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

Chinese media take environment awareness mission to Copenhagen (Xinhua, 12/04/2009) At least 20 Chinese media organizations are to send correspondents to Copenhagen to cover the climate change summit this month, as the nation's interest in environmental issues intensifies.

Building Jiangsu (China International Business, 12/04/2009) From a distance it is easy to mistake the thousands of leafy, vegetable-like flowers protruding from the surface of Jiangsu's Tai Lake for common weeds. Yet, far from being harmful, these plants — water hyacinths, actually — serve a very practical purpose. To Zhu Puping, an associate research fellow at the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the carefully laid-out clusters of lush foliage scattered around the lake are a matter of pride.

Birth defects rise from lack of tests (China Daily, 12/04/2009) Experts say a lack of pre-marital physical checks and pollution have pushed the number of Beijing babies with birth defects to 1.6 percent this year, twice as many as 10 years ago.

Many decline offer to escape lead (Global Times, 12/03/2009) Many villagers who may still be at risk of lead poisoning problems from nearby factories are refusing to accept an offer by the government of Jiyuan, Henan Province to relocate to a safer location.

China should adapt to climate change: meteorologist (AFP, 12/03/2009) China's top meteorologist has warned climate change could cause "incalculable" damage to the country and that efforts should focus on adapting to global warming rather than slowing it.

Home of rare birds under threat as study predicts large reductions in mudflats (China Daily, 12/02/2009) Experts in Shanghai have warned that rising sea levels could pose a serious and immediate threat to wild birds living near the city. A joint study by researchers at Fudan University and the Nature Conservancy China Office shows Dong Tan, an important habitat for migratory birds at the mouth of the Yangtze River estuary, could be reduced by almost a half in the next 100 years.

HIV tests turn blood into cash in China (New York Times, 12/02/2009) A young, boisterous crowd gathered in front of the Purple Tribe nightclub on a recent Friday night, but hardly anyone was interested in going inside.

Hong Kong’s carbon footprint ‘second highest in world’ (AFP, 12/01/2009) Hong Kong has the second highest carbon footprint per capita in the world, due to the city's high consumption patterns and large volume of imports, according to a survey released in Norway.

US man wanted for ecoterror sentenced in China (AP, 11/30/2009) An American man wanted for ecoterrorism attacks in the western United States has been sentenced to three years in a Chinese prison for making illegal drugs.

Chinese panda couple head for Australia (Xinhua, 11/27/2009) A giant panda couple left their southwest China home on a passenger plane Friday for a 10-year stay in Australia, which will be the first time for the endangered species to live in the southern hemisphere.

CORPORATIONS

China wind firm, shipbuilder brave tough IPO market (Reuters, 12/04/2009) Asia's largest wind power generator, Longyuan Power Group Corp, and China's biggest shipbuilder, China Shipping Industry, will each raise over $2 billion in initial public offerings in Hong Kong and Shanghai, testing market appetite strained by a glut of recent listings.

Sino Agro Food, Inc. announces its “Green and Natural” product trials meeting expectations (Business Wire, 12/03/2009) Sino Agro Food, Inc. (Pink Sheet:SIAF), an emerging integrated, diversified agriculture technology and organic food company with subsidiaries operating in China, is pleased to announce its retail trials for its "Green and Natural" line of Dairy products, produced by the Company's subsidiary ZhungXing Cattle Husbandry Co. Ltd., has met Management's sales expectations for the Month of October.

Capstone Turbine names two distributors in China for fast-growing biogas market (CNN Money, 12/02/2009) With China wanting more electricity from renewable sources, Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, has added two distributors in China focused on securing biogas applications in landfills, agriculture and wastewater treatment plants.

Yangcheng gets environmentally-friendly electronic park (ChinaCSR, 12/02/2009) A letter of intent has been signed between the Yandu District in Yancheng, Jiangsu, and the China Electronics Enterprises Association department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, on the building of an environmentally-friendly electronic park in Yandu.

China grain output may drop 37% on climate change (Bloomberg, 12/02/2009) China’s output of grains could decline as much as 37 percent in the second half of this century if measures to counter the effects of climate change aren’t actively implemented, a weather official said.

Fair wind blows for China’s Longyuan Power (Asia Times, 12/02/2009) China Longyuan Power Group's imminent sale of US$2.3 billion in shares to the public and its listing on the Hong Kong exchange could hardly have been better timed by what is the country's largest investor in wind power farms.

‘Green’ production making inroads in China (Computer Products, 12/01/2009) A new shade of green is gradually sweeping across China's export manufacturing industry, one that took a while to take root. Companies are riding the environment-friendly wave.

Synthesis energy systems and East China engineering corporation to collaborate on U-GAS(R) technology projects (PRNewswire, 12/01/2009) Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. ("SES") (Nasdaq: SYMX), a global energy and gasification technology company, and East China Engineering Science and Technology Co., Ltd. ("ECEC") (Shenzhen Listed code: 002140), a subsidiary of China's largest chemical engineering group - China National Chemical Engineering Corporation ("CNCEC"), today announced the signing of a collaboration agreement to work together on the engineering, design, procurement and construction of SES' U-GAS® gasification projects within China.

China Forestry announces strategic shift in near term investment criteria (Globe Newswire, 11/30/2009) China Forestry Inc. (OTCBB:CHFY), a timber investment group in the People's Republic of China, cited the limited opportunity to generate revenue from its timber holdings during the current global economic slowdown in today announcing a strategic shift in its near term investment criteria.

Green Technology Chinese Power Grid 2010 exhibition announced (TMCnet, 11/30/2009) “Low-carbon economy” refers to an economy advocating low power consumption, low pollution and low emission, aiming at energy conservation and emission reduction. Seems like everything’s low-carb these days, doesn’t it?

Top rice producer China approves GMO strain (Reuters, 11/27/2009) China has approved its first strain of genetically modified rice for commercial production, two scientists involved in the approval process told Reuters on Friday, potentially easing the way for other major producers to adopt the controversial technology.

China Energy Recovery, Inc. announces Third Quarter 2009 financial results (PRNewswire, 11/27/2009) China Energy Recovery, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CGYV) ("CER"), an international leader in the design, fabrication, implementation and service of waste heat recovery systems, today announced its financial results for the three- and nine-months ended Sept. 30, 2009. All currency amounts are in U.S. dollars.

GOVERNMENT

China, Africa to further cooperation in science, technology (China Daily, 12/04/2009) China and Africa look forward to deepening cooperation in various fields, especially science and technology, industry, agriculture and environment, said Egyptian and Chinese officials at a science and technology expo, which opened in Cairo, capital of Egypt, on Thursday.

China attacks water pollution and plans massive investments (MercoPress, 12/04/2009) China will invest 13 billion US dollars in the next three years in projects to improve the quality of water faced with serious contamination problems, reported “China Daily”. Most of the money will go to sewage systems, water purifying and rainwater harvesting according to Deputy Environment minister Wu Xiaoqing.

China says 16.9 mln T steel capacity to by shut by Feb 2010 (Reuters, 12/03/2009) China has urged local governments to finish shedding 16.91 million tonnes of unsafe and outdated steel production capacity by the end of February, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Thursday.

China to build geospace environment lab in Antartica (Xinhua, 12/03/2009) China plans to build a geospace environment laboratory at its Zhongshan station in Antarctica, says a Chinese polar expert.

China to remove outdated state industry (AFP, 12/03/2009) China is planning "rare" and "heavy-handed" steps to phase out outdated industry, state media said Wednesday, days after Beijing pledged to slow the growth in its fast-rising carbon emissions.

Hunan takes a lead with green urban development initiative (China Daily, 12/03/2009) Phrases like "green GDP" and "low-carbon economy" have been more and more common in the Chinese press over recent years. This has been a reflection of the country's desire and determination to succeed in its environmental protection and sustainable development initiatives.

Changsha looks to new chapter in quality of life (China Daily, 12/03/2009) The local government of Changsha has now laid plans to create new renown and make the city into a better place for both living and business, said Mayor Zhang Jianfei.

Chile looks to China’s harnessing of solar power: ambassador (Xinhua, 12/03/2009) Chile has much to learn from China's application of solar energy in its efforts to help curb the effects of climate change, said the Chilean Ambassador to China Wednesday.

Harper looking for China investment in Canadian mines (Bloomberg, 12/2/2009) Stephen Harper, making his first trip to China as Canada’s prime minister, will encourage companies such as China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. to invest in Canada’s mining and energy resources.

China reaffirms pro-growth policy for 2010 (Forbes, 12/02/2009) China gave no sign on Friday that it was planning an early exit from its stimulus policies, pledging to stick with a pro-growth stance in 2010 to cushion the fallout of the global financial crisis.

Government money to flood Yellow River Delta (Alibaba, 12/02/2009) The State Council has approved a plan to develop the Yellow River Delta (YRD) in East China's Shandong Province into an efficient and environmentally-friendly economic zone, State-run media reported Wednesday.

Chinese vice premier stresses environmental protection in water diversion project (Xinhua, 12/02/2009) Chinese vice premier Li Keqiang has called for efforts to build the South-to-North Water Diversion Project into a water-efficient and environment-friendly project.

UN stops approving China wind projects, Official says (Bloomberg, 12/02/2009) The United Nations stopped approving aid for Chinese wind-power projects until it determines whether they qualify unfairly, a Chinese official said.

China Ministry gives security OK to GM Rice, GM Corn (Dow Jones Newswires, 12/01/2009) China has granted security approval to certain types of

genetically modified rice and corn, which may lead to the commercialization of the grains in two to three years, industry participants said Tuesday.

Consolidating the coalmines (Beijing Review, 11/30/2009) Shanxi Province will readjust the structure of its coalmining industry to address a series of efficiency and environmental problems.

China climate goal faces test of trust (Reuters, 11/27/2009) Three little letters could spell big trouble for global climate change negotiations even after China, the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, announced its first firm goals to curb emissions.

China’s climate pledge a wake up call: India (AFP, 11/27/2009) India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in an interview published Friday that China's decision to unveil a carbon emissions target had put pressure on India to follow suit.

Issue 35, November 20th to November 27th, 2009

2009-12-04T00:44:00.000-08:00

OPINION

Incinerator protests fire debate over China’s growing garbage problem (Xinhua, 11/26/2009) When hundreds of people in a south China city took to the streets earlier this week to protest a planned garbage incinerator project, they highlighted a growing problem for China's booming cities.

Expert: China’s one child policy needs to be adjusted (China Daily, 11/26/2009) A distinguished scholar said China should encourage its people to have more than one child in the future, the Economic Information Daily reported Thursday.

Economist Debates (The Economist, 11/25/2009) China and the US: This house believes that China is showing more leadership than America in the fight against climate change

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

First ‘Genetic Map’ of Han Chinese may aid search for disease susceptibility genes (Science Daily, 11/26/2009) The first genetic historical map of the Han Chinese, the largest ethnic population in the world, as they migrated from south to north over evolutionary time, was published online November 25 in the American Journal of Human Genetics by scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS).

Victims in NW China lead pollution face relocation (Xinhua, 11/26/2009) Authorities in northwest China are to relocate a total of 1,396 families after waste discharges from a local smelter caused lead poisoning in 851 children this summer.

Giant panda may have first offspring in southern hemisphere (Xinhua, 11/26/2009) The endangered giant panda may have offspring in the southern hemisphere for the first time as two pandas are due to arrive in Australia Saturday from China for a 10-year stay.

China expert warns of pandemic flu mutation (Reuters, 11/25/2009) China must be alert to any mutation or changes in the behavior of the H1N1 swine flu virus because the far deadlier H5N1 bird flu virus is endemic in the country, a leading Chinese disease expert said.

China drought risks food, stability, McKinsey says (Bloomberg, 11/25/2009) China’s long-term food security and social stability may be threatened unless the world’s largest grain producer invests more to fight the effects of drought, McKinsey & Co. said.

The Nation: A Kingdom of Bicycles No Longer (NPR, 11/25/2009) Ambassador Yu Qingtai is China's point man on global warming. As special representative to the climate change talks for China's ministry of foreign affairs, Yu is a forceful advocate for China's view that while his country will do its part, the primary responsibility for fixing the problem rests squarely on the shoulders of the United States and other industrialized countries. And he bristles when reminded that many US experts put on the onus on China's rapidly growing economy and industrial might.

China enters the carpool lane (Wired, 11/24/2009) In Wuhan, China, over 200 residents have participated in a groundbreaking new program to reduce pollution and traffic congestion: they’re carpooling.

Hundreds in south China oppose waste incinerator (Reuters, 11/23/2009) Hundreds in China's southern city of Guangzhou protested outside government offices on Monday, opposing plans for a large garbage incinerator in a sign of the region's rising public assertiveness over green issues.

Some 100 cubs expected in world’s largest Siberian tiger breeding base in 2010 (Xinhua, 11/22/2009) Some 100 cubs were expected to be born in the world's largest Siberian tiger artificial breeding center in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province in 2010, or the year of tiger in China.

CORPORATIONS

Environment stocks gain on China’s carbon target (Xinhua, 11/27/2009) Environment-related stocks rose in morning trade Friday on China's firm target to curb greenhouse gas emissions, despite an overall drop at the two main stock exchanges.

Sichuan forest carbon sink project successfully registered at UNFCCC (ChinaCSR, 11/27/2009) A forest-based carbon sink project in China's Sichuan province, which is said to be the world's first climate, community and biodiversity based forest carbon sink project, has been successfully registered at the CDM Council of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

China starts first shale gas project (Wall Street Journal, 11/27/2009) China has started its first joint development project in shale gas, in a bid to find alternative resources for the cleaner-burning fuel to meet the nation's rising demand.

Into China’s smog, a green giant rises (The Globe and Mail, 11/27/2009) In an artist's rendition, the Pearl River Tower soars above the Guangzhou skyline looking like a cross between a flattened rocket ship and a cellphone.

Wind energy boosts for China (Carbon Markets, 11/27/2009) The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the Chinese Wind Energy Industries Association (CREIA) and the Chinese Wind Energy Association (CWEA) have identified key areas on which they are to cooperate.

Energy firms step up output, input (China Daily, 11/27/2009) China's major energy firms are boosting natural gas production and imports to ease shortages caused by a cold snap this month.

Guangdong Nuclear Power plans for greater uranium use (Wall Street Journal, 11/26/2009) China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holdings Co., one of the country's two nuclear-energy firms, said it will need more than 100,000 metric tons of uranium between 2009 and 2020 to feed its growing fleet of nuclear-power plants, a huge jump from current demand levels that underscores the scope of China's nuclear-energy ambitions.

Hold your nose: Garlic is best investment in China (Reuters, 11/26/2009) The price of garlic in China has nearly quadrupled since March, propelled by its very pungency to rank ahead of gold and stocks as the country's best-performing asset this year.

Dongfeng Nissan to launch Green City Initiative in China (ChinaCSR, 11/26/2009) Ren Yong, the deputy general manager of Dongfeng Nissan, announced at The 7th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition that Dongfeng Nissan will launch a green city initiative, developing electric cars and helping to improve the ecological environment.

China mine disaster toll hits 108: state media (AFP, 11/26/2009) Rescuers have recovered the corpse of the last person missing after an explosion in a coal mine in northeastern China, bringing the death toll to 108, state media reported on Thursday.

IEA: China growth now seen leading to oil price rally (Reuters, 11/26/2009) The International Energy Agency (IEA) does not think rapid growth in Chinese oil demand will lead to a rally in crude oil prices next year, the agency's executive director said on Thursday.

Taiwan recycler shows computer board art isn’t boring (Reuters, 11/25/2009) Sculptures of ancient Chinese symbols such as a swimming sea turtle, a boy farmer on the back of an ox and cranes resting on pine trees sold in Taiwan hardly look like toxic trash, but they nearly were.

China’s wind power industry faces overcapacity (SteelGuru, 11/25/2009) It is reported that China wind power industry is striding forward under the guidance and encouragement of Chinese government but is burdened with a potential overcapacity of backward equipment manufacturing, an obstacle in the way of wind power development. 

China Huaneng group plans green power plants (ChinaCSR, 11/24/2009) Zhang Tingke, the deputy general manager of China Huaneng Group, disclosed at The World Low Carbon and Eco-economy Conference and Technical Exposition that CHG will convert all its coal-fired power plants into environmentally-friendly ones by the end of 2010 by desulphurizing the coal-fired units.

China forestry signs letter of intent with landscape engineering and construction firm (Globe Newswire, 11/20/2009) China Forestry Inc. (OTCBB:CHFY), a timber investment group in the People's Republic of China, announced today the Company has entered into a letter of intent to acquire the landscape engineering and construction firm Shaan'Xi Province Gaoxin Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Development Holding Co., Ltd., in Xi'An City, Shaan'Xi Province.

GOVERNMENT

US announces emission cuts, China follows suit (Times of India, 11/27/2009) China on Thurday declared that it would reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2020. This significant maneuver is bound to step up pressure on India and other emerging economies to relax their stand at the forthcoming climate-change talks in Copenhagen.

China turns to methane (Agence France Presse, 11/27/2009) China, a massive consumer of fossil fuels and coal in particular, is trying to modernise its mines by containing emissions of methane and turning the toxic gas into a source of much-needed energy. 

City has “more room” for cars (China Daily, 11/27/2009) Environmental officials said yesterday the city's pollution should not worsen when the car population exceeds four million next month.

China vows to dramatically slow emissions growth (AP, 11/27/2009) China promised to slow its carbon emissions, saying it would nearly halve the ratio of pollution to GDP over the next decade — a major move by the world's largest emitter, whose cooperation is crucial to any deal as a global climate summit approaches.

China to double investment in environmental protection to $454 billion (BusinessGreen 11/26/2009) China has announced it plans to invest up to $454bn (£274bn) in environmental protection in the five years to 2015, with about one third earmarked for pollution control facilities.

Beijing to take measure of renewable energy sector (SteelGuru, 11/26/2009) Interfax China reported that the Chinese government has started a ten day study of the country renewable energy industry.

Chinese state to give high-tech VC funds a hand (Reuters, 11/26/2009) China's top economic planner has issued guidelines to channel central government money into new venture capital funds to support the high-technology sector.

EU, China to ink clean coal deal at summit (EurActiv, 11/26/2009) Leaders from China and Europe will sign a new Science and Technology Agreement at next week's summit in Nanjing, where progress is also likely on a major near-zero emissions coal project.

China’s climate pledge to meet a quarter of global needs: IEA (AFP, 11/26/2009) China's pledge on greenhouse gases means it would shoulder more than a quarter of the CO2 emissions cuts needed to avoid dangerous global warming, a top economist said Thursday.

China plans to promote development of tourism industry (Xinhua, 11/25/2009) China's State Council, the Cabinet, announced Wednesday plans to push forward the development of tourism industry and make it a strategic pillar industry in the national economy.

New 500-million ton coalfield discovered in Henan (People’s Daily, 11/25/2009) A report on discovering a new coalfield with reserves of more than 500 million tons has passed the judgment of experts. It is estimated that the coalfield is worth more than 1,000 billion yuan, according to the Fourth geological prospecting team of Henan Geology and Mineral Resources Bureau, November 23, 2009.

China issues environment standards for lead smelting industry (Bloomberg, 11/25/2009) China, the world’s largest producer of lead, issued environment standards for smelting the metal, after the government pledged three months ago to clamp down on polluting plants because of a spate of poisoning.

Hong Kong authorities issue health warning as smog blankets city (Earth Times, 11/25/2009) The Hong Kong government Wednesday warned people with respiratory illnesses to limit their time outdoors as air pollution in the city soared to potentially dangerous levels. Pollution readings at roadside monitors recorded very high levels Wednesday morning as a dense winter smog, triggered largely by factory fumes from neighboring China enveloped the city of 7 million.

More government support for China’s clean-energy exports (Wall Street Journal, 11/25/2009) Another reminder of the role governments are playing in the global green-energy push: China’s Export-Import Bank signed a $2.9 billion deal to boost exports of China Energy Conservation Investment Corporation, an energy-efficiency and renewable-energy project developer. Government money helps finance Chinese energy companies with less access to the global banking system; that big Chinese wind farm in Texas is also financed by the Export-Import bank.

US lauds China for boosting toy safety standards (AFP, 11/24/2009) The United States Monday praised Beijing for "taking toy safety seriously" two years after millions of made-in-China toys had to be recalled amid fears they were dangerous.

Pork ‘safe to eat’ despite infection found in pigs (China Daily, 11/23/2009) Health experts have assured consumers that Chinese pork is still safe despite reports of pigs being infected with the deadly A/H1N1 flu.

Japan, China, S. Korea sigh food safety memorandum (AFP, 11/23/2009) Health ministers from Japan, China and South Korea agreed Monday to step up efforts to ensure food safety following concerns over pesticide-tainted Chinese-made dumplings.

Sky’s the limit as Beijing’s smog lifts (China Daily, 11/21/2009) China's capital hit its 2009 target of 260 blue-sky days a staggering 41 days before the end of the year. The capital's environmental protection bureau said on Friday the reduced smog and improved visibility was the result of determined efforts, strict measures and good weather.

Issue 34, November 13 - 20

2009-11-21T02:41:00.000-08:00

OPINION

The “how much” and “how to” of China’s goal to reduce carbon intensity (The Green Leap Forward, 11/19/2009) In September, President Hu Jintao announced that China will seek to reduce its carbon emissions per unit of GDP, or carbon intensity, by a “noticeable margin” (see previous post “China’s Carbon Intensity Plans and its Impacts on Climate Progress“). The world has been waiting with bated breath to learn just how noticeable this margin will be.

Are we exacerbating China’s pollution? (Seeking Alpha, 11/18/2009) America used to mistreat her land and water like this. This sort of thing, by the way, is how you manage to produce things with a wage of $1 or $2/day and undercut first-world producers. When we have "free trade" with China, this is what we are supporting. This is what we're serving up on their people. This is what our government and corporations all say is ok - so long as it is hidden from us, and happens "over there."

Can the US match China’s efforts? (Chinadialogue, 11/18/2009) Dialogue between the two countries has produced some positive examples of green collaboration, but Obama still needs to show leadership on climate. Hou Yanli explains how.

Will China emerge greener from the global economic downturn? (Policy Innovations, 11/17/2009) Dreadful as the consequences are, economic downturns are not always all bad news. For one, they tend to be good for the environment, as economic bustle is strongly associated with energy consumption and environmental pollution (whether in one's own backyard or someone else's). And economic recessions give pause for thought, and cause for healthy self-questioning. They offer that gift most precious to policymakers: the chance for a fundamental change of tack.

On climate change efforts, China is key (New York Times, 11/17/2009) It is time to accept that the choices of China and India, not the United States, will determine the world’s future carbon emissions. America’s environmental actions will achieve their biggest returns if they influence the future carbon emissions of the billion-plus-person polities of Asia.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

Experts: Radical swine flu measures in China, elsewhere, won’t stop outbreaks (CP, 11/19/2009) Health experts say extraordinary measures against swine flu - most notably quarantines imposed by China, where entire planeloads of passengers were isolated if one traveller had symptoms - have failed to contain the disease.

Top universities form alliance for law carbon energy (ChinaCSR, 11/19/2009) Tsinghua University, the University of Cambridge, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have joined forces to form the Low Carbon Energy University Alliance.

China meeting calls to fight against global warming (Xinhua, 11/19/2009) The first World Low Carbon and Eco-economy Conference passed a declaration here Wednesday, calling for all nations and businesses to develop low carbon and eco-economy to tackle global warming and other environmental issues.

Shanghai seen as big CO2 producer (Shanghai Daily, 11/17/2009) Total carbon emission generated by Shanghai in one year is nearly double that of Sydney and triple that of Tokyo, according to recent research on climate change in Asia and major Pacific cities.

Seven nature reserves in China join biosphere program (ChinaCSR, 11/17/2009) Seven nature reserves have been approved by the Chinese National Committee for Man and Biosphere Program to join the China Biosphere Protection Network.

Silicon Sweatshops: The China connection (GlobalPost, 11/17/2009) For migrant workers, an electronics factory job can be a ticket into China's booming middle class. But for many, it turns into a nightmare of poor working conditions and indifferent bosses.

China faces reckoning over lead production (Los Angeles Times, 11/14/2009) People in their 30s and 40s here complain of unpredictable senior moments: They go to the store and can't remember what they wanted to buy, or they forget the names of old friends.

CORPORATIONS

China’s CIC to invest in 2 clean energy firms (Wall Street Journal, 11/20/2009) Sovereign-wealth fund China Investment Corp. aims to tap rising demand for clean energy in the country by investing as much as $1.21 billion in two companies in the renewable-energy sector, people familiar with the matter say.

China’s solar industry outshines the US (Seeking Alpha, 11/19/2009) Just something to keep your eye on as your politicians promise you that the U.S. will be the world leader in green tech jobs. In fact they will have to layer countless more debt on your children and grandchildren for temporary "green jobs" jobs, to make this mirage come true - for a while.

Chinese energy producers soar after record snows, Asian banks dip (Daily Finance, 11/19/2009) In Asia Thursday, China's Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.5% to 3,321. In Hong Kong and Tokyo, the major indexes fell with the Hang Seng shedding 0.9% to close at 22,643 and the Nikkei losing 1.3% to end the day at 9,549.

Huge opportunity in Chinese wind turbine manufacturer (SmallCapInvestor, 11/19/2009) In yesterday's issue of Small Cap Investor Daily, 'Renewable Energy Revitalization', I explored opportunities in companies that will build the smart grid infrastructure in the U.S. You know that this grid will be critical to the success of renewable energy infrastructure, since it will allow energy to efficiently and effectively get from the point of generation to the end user.

Companies call government incentives the key to green (New York Times, 11/18/2009) In less than three weeks, world leaders will gather in Copenhagen to begin hammering out an agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions and combat global warming.

Coal towns remain the heartbeat of China’s economy (New York Times, 11/18/2009) The black metal gates clang shut, and about a dozen miners lean against the grate in blue overalls and headlamps fastened atop yellow hard hats.

China Sunergy sees increase in Q3 revenues (PV Society, 11/18/2009) Solar cell manufacturer China Sunergy Co. Ltd. (Nanjing, China) reported $80.1M in third-quarter revenues, a 14.3% rise over the second quarter of 2009. Revenues generated from solar cell sales were $68.5M, representing a 25.7% increase. Shipments in the third quarter rose even more significantly to ~54.4 MW, representing a 31.1% increase sequentially and a 59.5% increase on a year-over-year basis.

Australian Uranium to China, a worry for many reasons (The Epoch Times, 11/18/2009) Sun Xiaodi, a warehouse manager at China’s No. 792 uranium mine in Gansu Province, was ignored when he first began to report on corruption and radioactive contamination by mine operatives in 1988.

China Green Agriculture, Inc. announces VAT exemption for organic fertilizer product sales (PRNewswire, 11/18/2009) China Green Agriculture, Inc. (NYSE Amex: CGA; "China Green Agriculture" or "the Company"), a leading producer and distributor of humic acid ("HA") based compound fertilizer through its wholly owned subsidiary, Shaanxi TechTeam Jinong Humic Acid Product Co., Ltd., announced that the National Taxation Bureau of Yangling Hi-tech Development Zone has recently approved a value-added tax ("VAT") exemption for Shaanxi Techteam Jinong Humic Acid Product Co., Ltd.

Taiwan, China may develop electric cars together (AFP, 11/17/2009) Taiwan and China are looking into developing electric cars together and will hold a conference here next week to seek areas where they can cooperate, a Taipei official said Monday.

Starqua wins top award for ABOT Environmental Technology in Wuxi, China (Business Wire, 11/17/2009) The Global Forum on Human Settlement was recently held in Wuxi, China to broach several environmental issues such as pollution generated as a side effect of economic growth. Dignitaries such as Mr Noel Brown (Chairman of Friends of the United Nations), Mr David Garman (Chairman of the International Water Association), Mr David Anderson (Former Canadian Minister of the Environment), the mayor of Wuxi Mr. Mao Xiaoping as well as 2 key members of the Central Committee Mr Li Jinhua and Mrs Gu Xiulian were all on hand to personally give their views on these critical topics.

GE enlightens China regions working to curb pollution (Bloomberg, 11/17/2009) The Ordos region of Inner Mongolia, home to one of China’s biggest deserts, is being transformed into the site of a pine forest that will stretch across its low hills as far as the eye can see.

China’s A-Power to build U.S. wind turbine factory (New York Times, 11/17/2009) China's A-Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. and the U.S. Renewable Energy Group -- partners in a Texas wind farm that has raised eyebrows and concerns on Capitol Hill -- announced plans today to build a wind turbine production factory in the United States.

Chinese solar panel firm to open plant in Arizona (New York Times, 11/16/2009) Suntech Power, China’s largest solar panel manufacturer, plans to open its first American plant near Phoenix, the company announced on Monday. It would be the first time a Chinese solar company has built a manufacturing plant in the United States, experts said.

Energy and environmental shares lead Shanghai Past 3,200 (Energy and Capital, 11/16/2009) The China Securities Journal reports that cleantech, energy, and environment-related companies led China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up to start the week.

Intel unveils plan to cut Chinese emissions (Shanghai Daily, 11/16/2009) Intel Corp aims to cut carbon emissions by 20 percent in China in 2012 from 2007 levels, through restructuring and investment in product design and work processes, the world's biggest chip maker said today. 

GOVERNMENT

China aims to cut energy put unit of GDP by 20% by 2015 (Alibaba, 11/19/2009) An official from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said Wednesday that China is expected to achieve the target of cutting the energy consumption of per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 20 percent by 2015.

Sri Lanka approves $891 mln China loan for coal power (Reuters, 11/19/2009) Sri Lanka has approved $891 million loan from China's Export-Import bank to fund a coal power plant, an official said on Thursday, as the island nation focuses on infrastructure after the end of 25 years of war.

US and China race for clean energy jobs (The Gov Monitor, 11/19/2009) U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu was honored to be a part of President Obama’s trip to China this week. The United States made important progress strengthening our partnership with China on clean energy – a partnership that will create jobs in the United States.

China and the US sign deal on monitoring emissions (COP15, 11/19/2009) China and the US this week signed an agreement designed to improve China's ability to monitor its greenhouse gas emissions. The two nations will cooperate on developing an inventory of China's greenhouse gas emissions, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday, according to the Washington Post.

China raises price of electricity for non-residential use (Xinhua, 11/19/2009) China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the top economic planning agency, Thursday announced a rise in the price of electricity for non-residential use by 2.8 fen (0.4 U.S. cents) per kilowatt hour on average nationwide, as of Friday.

US and China ink emission reporting co-operation deal (Business Green, 11/19/2009) The flurry of bilateral environment agreements signed this week between the US and China delivered a significant new deal yesterday designed to improve China's ability to monitor its greenhouse gas emissions.

How a soft energy path could put China on the right track to sustainable growth (GreenBiz.com, 11/18/2009) China is putting forward aggressive policies to reduce energy intensity while still maintaining rapid development. But transformative sustainable development in China needs to respect some unique conditions if it is to be successful.

China moves to low-carbon economy (CCTV, 11/18/2009) With China's rapid economic growth, its energy demand, as well as its overall greenhouse gas emissions, have seen corresponding increases. Analysts say the shift to a low-carbon economy will be an inevitable choice for China to achieve a more sustainable development.

China pushes solar, wind power development (USA Today, 11/18/2009) The world's solar companies gathered here recently amid the nation's largest solar market under a brilliant sun – and the looming shadow of China.

Led by China, carbon pollution up despite economy (AP, 11/18/2009) Pollution typically declines during a recession. Not this time. Despite a global economic slump, worldwide carbon dioxide pollution jumped 2 percent last year, most of the increase coming from China, according to a study published online Tuesday.

China trying to be an environmental leader (US News, 11/17/2009) China is about to get an image make-over, thanks to President Obama's trip there this week to talk trade, the economy, Iran, and the environment. Obama aides say Beijing, for the first time, is trying to be a good international partner and environmental leader.

Obama’s China visit may boost clean energy stocks, Springs says (Bloomberg, 11/17/2009) President Barack Obama’s first trip to China may boost the country’s clean energy companies as his focus on the environment boosts the industry’s profile, Springs Capital Ltd. said.

Sino-German solar energy project brings electricity to remote Chinese villages (CCTV, 11/17/2009) A solar power project built with joint financing from the Chinese and German governments has been completed, enabling 56 remote villages in northwest China to have access to electricity for the first time in history.

Chinese officials clean up on pollution (The Age, 11/17/2009) Almost half the money budgeted for protecting the environment in China is being wasted by officials on vanity projects, according to a senior government official.

China’s plan for Three Gorges water level stalled (AP, 11/16/2009) Plans to raise the water level behind China's massive Three Gorges dam to full capacity this month — which would mark the symbolic culmination of the decades-old project — have stalled amid a worsening drought and reports of increased landslide risks.

Wen: China committed to fully tackling climate change (Xinhua, 11/13/2009) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Friday that China is committed to fully tackling climate change and pledged contribution to the international cooperation in this regard.