Issue 34, November 13 - 20

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.

Issue 33, November 6th to 13th, 2009

OPINION

Clean air is key in talks between Hu and Obama (Taipei Times, 11/13/2009) When US President Barack Obama makes his first visit to China next week, human rights is likely to be one of the major issues in his talks with Chinese leaders. While it will be a great opportunity for him to express his concerns for human rights in China, he should address it with a different strategy and focus than past US leaders. Instead of openly challenging the Chinese government on issues like political freedom and Tibet, which are bound to anger Chinese leaders and are not really helpful for improving human rights conditions in China, Obama should promote the idea of clean air as a human right.

Copenhagen – what’s it worth? (China dialogue, 11/12/2009) Simon Zadek argued on Wednesday that unilateral action is now our only hope to address climate change. Here, chinadialogue authors Martin Bunzl, Malini Mehra, Wang Tao and Gao Feng respond.

Green power or green jobs (The Energy Collective, 11/12/2009) Until now I've avoided the debate over a proposed wind project in Texas involving Chinese investors, federal renewable energy stimulus grants and wind turbines from China, mainly because I didn't think I had anything salient to add to the unpleasant mix of protectionism and second-guessing that was unfolding. This morning I read a posting on the subject from the Breakthrough Institute that, while offering a coherent explanation of how we got to this point, convinced me that the real problem still hasn't been addressed.

Obama’s China trip is high-stakes mission for environment (CNN, 11/12/2009) Frances Beinecke is the president of the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council, which focuses on curbing global warming, developing a clean energy future, reviving the world's oceans, saving endangered wild places, stemming the tide of toxic chemicals and accelerating the greening of China. She is the author of "Clean Energy Common Sense: An American Call to Action on Global Climate Change." She recently received the Rachel Carson Award from the National Audubon Society.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

Environmental Policy Council advises cut in China’s carbon intensity (China Daily, 11/12/2009) China should aim to reduce its carbon intensity by 4 or 5 percent year-on-year if it is to achieve its goal of low-carbon development by 2050, says a leading environmental think tank.

Plastics chemical poses sexual health risk to exposed workers (OMB Watch, 11/12/2009) Scads of studies have linked bisphenol-A exposure to heart disease, developmental disorders, and other health problems. But most of those studies used rodents to study the effects of BPA. The study of the Chinese workers is the first major study to look at human exposure.

E-waste capital of the world tries to clean up image (NRC, 11/12/2009) The southern Chinese city of Guiyu is where PC's, cell phones and Playstations go to die. The workers who recycle them are exposed to dangerous chemicals.

Pollution takes toll on health in Guangdong (China Daily, 11/12/2009) More than 41 percent of people in the Pearl River Delta have felt sick or uncomfortable this year because of the region's heavy pollution, a recent survey found.

Shanghai may face biggest climate risk in China (Bloomberg, 11/12/2009) Shanghai, the world’s largest port, may be the Chinese metropolis most at risk from climate change.

Kids care for the environment (Global Times, 11/12/2009) With the theme "Biological Diversity: Connected With Nature," the 2010 Chinese Children's Educational Program of Environmental Protection kicked off this week in Beijing.

Russian tigers to be relocated to northeastern China (RIA Novosti, 11/11/2009) The WWF has approved the relocation of several Russian Amur tigers to northeastern China to restore the wild animal's population, World Wildlife Fund Russian department director Igor Chestin said.

Missouri Botanical Garden publishes 32nd volume of flora of China (Eureka Alert, 11/11/2009) The Missouri Botanical Garden, in collaboration with ten institutions around the world, has published the 32nd volume of the Flora of China, an international collaborative project to publish a comprehensive catalog of wild plants in China. The volume, dedicated to the Orchidaceae (orchid) species, is the definitive work on all Chinese wild orchids, written by 15 of the world's best experts from China, U.K., U.S., Netherlands, and Australia.

Yangtze delta warned to prepare for effects of climate change (Guardian, 11/10/2009) Delta has been warming faster than global average for a decade, and the impact is already being felt, according to WWF China.

World’s 5th brown and white panda found in NW China (Xinhua, 11/10/2009) The world's fifth reported brown-and-white giant panda has been spotted in Foping Nature Reserve, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, said local officials Monday.

Plastic bags fly high in China as eco-friendly kites (Reuters, 11/08/2009) Plastic bags, the scourge of the environment, are flying high in Beijing, thanks to a retired engineer who is turning the waste into colorful kites.

CORPORATIONS

Herbal medicine, tourism brings hope of wealth to SW China’s ethnic regions (People’s Daily, 11/13/2009) The planting of herbal medicine and tourism with strong ethnic flavor have brought new hope of wealth for villagers in southwest China's poverty-stricken ethnic regions, where the harsh natural environment has made it difficult to grow crops.

North China’s vegetable prices soar due to snow (China Daily, 11/12/2009) Vegetable prices are up drastically in north China due to the snowy weather, with Tianjin municipality, Hebei, Shanxi, Henan and Shaanxi provinces at the top of the vegetable prices list, the Economic Information Daily reported.

China Solar & Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results (PRNewswire, 11/12/2009) China Solar & Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. (Formerly known as "Deli Solar (USA), Inc.") (OTC Bulletin Board: CSOL) ("China Solar"), a manufacturer and distributor of solar water heaters, space heating devices and provider of renewable energy solutions in the People’s Republic of China ("PRC"), today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30th, 2009 and announced the establishment of strategic alliance with KOE Environmental Consulting, Inc. (Japan).

Wilmar to benefit from strong China appetite, climate change (CNBC, 11/12/2009) Soft commodity plays like Wilmar International, the world's largest palm oil producer, are poised to benefit from changing climatic conditions and China's growing appetite for commodities, said Nirgunan Tiruchelvam, equities analyst at RBS.

China’s largest biogas CDM project runs smoothly (People’s Daily, 11/12/2009) China’s largest biogas project, the 20,000 cubic meter Minhe biogas project in Shandong, has recently been successfully connected to the grid. This is the first Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project which has been registered in Clean Development Mechanism Executive Board, United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change, with the annual revenue 6.3 million yuan.
Siemens CEO says Asia leads in “Green” investments (Wall Street Journal, 11/12/2009) Asian countries, backed by giant economic-stimulus packages, are leading the world in investments in "green" technologies, the chief executive of Siemens AG said in Singapore Thursday.

China Recycling Energy Corp. to present at Brean Murray, Carret & Co. 2009 China Growth Conference (PRNewswire, 11/12/2009) China Recycling Energy Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: CREG or ’the Company’), a fast-growing industrial waste-to-energy solutions provider in China, today announced the Company’s management will present at the upcoming Brean Murray, Carret & Co. 2009 China Growth Conference in New York, NY on November 19-20, 2009.

China plans to consolidate steel (The Australian, 11/12/2009) China is poised to renationalize swathes of its sprawling steel sector and to consolidate much of it into six or seven smelting behemoths to get the upper hand in negotiations with iron ore miners BHP and Rio.
Cold rush (Global Times, 11/12/2009) Wang Haiyuan, a 47-year-old woman in Lichuan county, Jiangxi Province, is overjoyed to see a sewage disposal channel under construction along the river in front of her house. She has endured the stench from the river for years, especially on hot days.

China to allow PET scrap bottle imports (Plastics News, 11/10/2009) The Chinese government is apparently edging closer to ending a ban on direct imports of whole PET scrap bottles, a move being watched in recycling circles around the world because it may mean more recycled PET exports to China and potentially less available elsewhere.

China ivory demand bodes ill for Africa’s elephants (Reuters, 11/09/2009) Tucked into a grimy building in Guangzhou, a small band of Chinese master carvers chip away at ivory tusks with chisels, fashioning them into the sorts of intricate carvings that were prized by Chinese emperors.

China corn crop fell 13% on worst drought damage (Bloomberg, 11/09/2009) China’s corn harvest, the world’s second-largest, plunged by a more-than-estimated 13 percent to a four-year low because of droughts in the main growing regions, a survey of farmers showed.

Sino Green Land to launch new China green foods hub for distribution of premium foods throughout China (PRNewswire, 11/09/2009) Sino Green Land Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: SGLA), a leading distributor of high-end fruits and vegetables in China, today announced the signing of a cooperative agreement securing support from the Green Foods Development Center, which is sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture, and approval from the municipal government of Guangzhou, to construct a distribution center for green foods covering 20 thousand square meters of floor space in Guangzhou, China. This new distribution center, the China Green Foods Hub, is expected to begin operating in the second half of 2010 and will be open to wholesalers, retailers, and large corporate customers.

GOVERNMENT

China rejects requests for $29 billion of new plants (Bloomberg, 11/13/2009) China, the world’s third-largest economy, rejected requests to build industrial projects worth almost 200 billion yuan ($29 billion), and said it plans new measures to close factories to curb overcapacity and pollution.

China’s drive to cut greenhouse gases faces U.S., EU critics (Bloomberg, 11/13/2009) China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, faces unlikely critics of its efforts to cut pollution: the U.S. and European Union.

China to spend CNY1 billion to protect rural environment (ChinaCSR, 11/12/2009) Li Yuan, the deputy director of the Ecological Division of China's Ministry of Environmental Protection, has disclosed to local media that China will arrange a CNY1 billion special fund this year for environment protection and pollution control in the rural areas of the country.

China confronts global warming dilemma (Christian Science Monitor, 11/12/2009) China awoke to climate change with a storm. It was late January 2008, a time when people across the country were busily gathering recipes, stocking fireworks, and preparing to welcome relatives to celebrate the Lunar New Year. But suddenly, severe ice storms brought much of the nation to a standstill. For two weeks, fierce winds, sleet, and snow downed power lines, shuttered businesses, and razed more than 200,000 homes across southern and central China.

Report finds dirty money, water in China (Washington Times, 11/12/2009) More than a half-billion dollars meant for tackling water pollution in Chinese rivers and lakes has been embezzled or misused, seriously undercutting pollution prevention efforts and raising questions about how pervasive corruption is in China's environmental programs, a new report shows.

China to crack down on investments that add pollution (Reuters, 11/12/2009) China's environment ministry vowed on Friday to launch a two-year clampdown on investment projects that flout environmental rules, throwing its weight behind a campaign to curb inefficient and polluting projects.

Chinese scientists create second artificial snowstorm in Beijing (Agence France-Presse, 11/11/2009) Chinese scientists have artificially induced the second major snowstorm to wreak havoc in Beijing this season, state media said today, reigniting debate over the practice of tinkering with Mother Nature.

FDA looks out for fake, unsafe condoms from China (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 11/10/2009) The Food and Drug Administration will check if some of the more than two million fake and unhygienic condoms recently discovered in a China factory have already found their way in the local market.

China gives Africa $10 billion, fights energy charge (Bloomberg, 11/09/2009) China promised $10 billion in cheap loans to Africa, pledged to cut customs duties and distributed a newspaper with photos of Chinese leaders among beaming Africans, part of an effort to fight claims it is exploiting the continent’s resources.
Polluting projects banned for Pearl River Delta area (Xinhua, 11/09/2009) South China's Guangdong Province has ordered a halt to any further expansion of three major polluting industries in the Pearl River Delta area, a major manufacturing base.

Macau may turn to water rationing amid drought (Market Watch, 11/09/2009) Macau may need to implement emergency water rationing, as the Chinese gambling hub's reservoirs have dwindled to just a 10-day supply and neighboring Zhuhai, struggling with its own shortages amid a regional drought, is proving unable to turn on the taps, according to a media report.

China eyes closing coal-fired power plants in capital (Reuters, 11/09/2009) China is considering moving the last four coal-fired power and heating plants out of Beijing's municipal area, replacing them with gas-fired stations, state media reported on Monday, in an effort to improve air quality in the capital.

China’s energy-saving, environmental protection industry has bright prospect: official (Xinhua, 11/08/2009) The output value of China's energy saving and environmental protection industry would hit 2.8 trillion yuan (412 billion U.S. dollars) by 2012, said Xie Zhenhua, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission on Sunday.