Third, China will continue to support the research, development, and deployment of clean energy technologies. China was reported in December to be seriously considering, for example, investments of up to $1.5 trillion in seven strategic industries including renewable energy, clean energy vehicles,and low carbon technologies. In this regard, keep an eye out for two Chinese companies—Yingli Solar and Wanxiang Group—that will play a more proactive role in producing state-of-the-art clean energy technologies to help create more ‘green collar’ jobs domestically and overseas. With robust government support and private sector innovation, China’s pledge to have 15 percent of its energy come from non-fossil fuels by 2020 could be achieved more smoothly and quickly with smart investment. If it can follow through on these ambitious plans—admittedly a big if—there’s little doubt China will be able to join world leaders in the development of wind, solar, and electric vehicle technologies.
Fourth, with the country’s total power capacity expected to climb to more than 1,430 GW by 2015, compared with 874 GW at the beginning of last year, China has been trying to figure out how to bring trillions of kilowatts of power to more than a billion consumers, sometimes over extremely long distances. With this in mind, the government is said to be planning to invest about $300 billion in a smart grid over the next five years that allows potential problems to be detected early. So far, local governments including the Jiangsu Provincial Government and the Shanghai Municipal Government have taken the lead in publishing plans for smart grid development.
Last but not least, China is expected to begin efforts to restore marine ecologies for the first time, focusing not only on supervising chemical oxygen demand, which measures the amount of organic pollutants found in surface water, but also limiting emissions of nitrogen and phosphorus, which causes eutrophication. In addition, constructions such as dams and sea walls will be strictly examined to ensure that they aren’t adversely impacting the environment.
If China’s policymakers can follow up on this promising list, then it could produce some genuinely spectacular policies that will help the country dramatically increase its chances of sustaining its strong growth, expand its clean technology market, and achieve green job creation.
None of this will be easy, not least because rapidly rising energy demand will mean coal and oil inevitably remain a foundation of China’s economy for years to come. In addition, China’s efforts at developing a green economy so far look like a top-down initiative, meaning much of the public doesn’t really understand what a green economy entails, its importance, or how they can contribute to creating one. As a result, there’s a clear need for proper public outreach to encourage people to become engaged.
Still, the talk around the upcoming five-year plan offers some cause for optimism that with the central government genuinely behind it, and if market-driven mechanisms can be properly utilized, China can launch itself on the path to a greener future.
Yuhan Zhang is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
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Joe
China sure needs a green revolution. Their air and water quality is atrocious. I’d have to disagree with Valbonne. China may have Taoist roots, but they aren’t committing to green technologies because they respect the Earth. Their efforts are clearly an attempt to save the government from the public backlash that would ensue if they continued pillaging their environment, and to benefit from green business as it starts to takeoff.
typhoonq
I am certain China is totally committed in going Green and reduce pollution.
Most people are not awared my country Singapore have a Ongoing joint Venture with Tianjin to develope a Singapore Tianjin Eco-City.
It emphasise in developing a Socially, harmonious, environmentally friendly and resource-conserving city in China. This project was launched in 2008.
Designed to be practical, scalable and replicable and will eventually be a model city to be replicated in other cities in China.
Please ref: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Singapore_Tianjin_Eco-city
I am proud to say that my country had played a significant role in helping China in it’s modernisation. In early 1980″s Our Economic Minister was seconded to China to set up the first five Economic Free Trade Zone after Deng Visit to Singapore. He chose Singapore as a Role model for many of China city planning.
i.e. Urban development, Garden City concept, Health Care, Low cost housing,
Industrial Parks (Singapore set up the first Industrial park in Suzhou and eventually replicated in other parts of China.)
We also provide Special Training courses for Chinese mayor’s class in Public Administration and Economics at our Nanayang Technological University.
In it’s 13th year, it had trained more than 1,000 Chinese mayors.
Leongkidlat
If Communist China is propagating green technology then I congratulate them for their valiant efforts.
Valbonne
Until early 20th century, most part of China remains “Green” despite 5000 years of land use. In most countries, they have already turned into semi-desert or desert for such an intensive agricultural use.
Why, because Chinese Taoism teaches the balance of men and nature. Other countries do not have such a Taoist culture as the Chinese. Today, it is not surprise that China has gone “Green”.
Paddy O
Hey, thanks for reminding the world that China has always been this, that, and the other. At all times. Before all others. I can’t wait to find out that it actually was the Chinese who made it to the moon first.
Conspiracy
Sorry, sorry Pad
didn`t you know, that NASA was never on the moon ^^
all hoolywood fake
Wag the dog, man
Chinawatcha
Good on you, China. The plan and the effort put into implementing the plan will show the World that it is possible to make changes to the enviroment. For those people who are criticising China, look at what your Goverment is doing for your country, in terms of the enviroment before you say something.