Transcript Document
China’s Environment: Domestic Challenges and Regional Implications Stephanie B. Ohshita Assistant Professor, Dept. of Environmental Science University of San Francisco Presentation to World Affairs Council of Northern California Study Group on Crises in Northeast Asia 26 July 2005 Key Points China’s environmental problems are grim. While neighbors feel the impacts, China itself suffers the most from its pollution. To solve the problems, need to understand the causes. A look at the “3Es” – energy, economy, and environment – offers insights. There are common interests – economic development, energy security, environmental protection – that can facilitate domestic action and international cooperation. Environmental Impacts Image Source: Stephanie B. Ohshita, 1998. Impacts: Air Pollution Nearly 30% of respiratory disease in China is attributed to air pollution. 500 major cities in China exceed safe air quality levels. Acid rain affects more than 30% of the country. Image Source: Stephanie B. Ohshita, 2005. Over 75% of China’s SO2 pollution, acid rain, and CO2 emissions come from coal combustion. Impacts: Acid Rain QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. Image Source: Centre for Environmentally Sound Technology Transfer. Impacts: Water - Shortage and Pollution More than 100 of China's 660 cities face extreme water shortages. China supports 21% of the world's population with just 7% of its water supplies. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. Image Sourcse: CNN. Nearly 90% of China's cities and 75% of its lakes are impacted by water pollution. Coastal waters suffer from urban run-off, red tides, and biodiversity loss. Impacts: 2/3 of China’s Forests Lost, Leading to Floods and Deserts QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. Image Sources: The Guardian, BBC News, True Health. Impacts: 25% of China’s Land Becoming Desert QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickT i me™ and a T IFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this pi cture. Image Sourcse: BBC News, New York Times, World Bank. Regional Impacts: How Much Does China’s Pollution Affect Its Neighbors? QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. Causes of the Problems: The “3Es” Environment Energy Economy Environmental Administration in China: Institutional Tensions National Peoples Congress, State Council SETC NDRC (disbanded in 2003) (formerly SDPC) SEPA (Provincial Industrial Bureaus and ETCs) Provincial Development Commissions Provincial EPBs (Local Industrial Bureaus and ETCs) Local Development Commissions Local EPBs <-- kuai --> <-- tiao --> (State Industrial Bureaus) Economic Growth, Energy, & Air Pollution 6,000 GDP (billion 1995 yuan) Total Coal Consumption (Mt) 5,000 Total SO2 Emissions (kt) 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 198 0 198 5 199 0 Year 199 5 Energy Consumption: Asia and Elsewhere Primary Energy Consumption (EJ) 100 90 80 U nited S tates C hina FS U /Rus s ia J apan G ermany I ndia S outh Korea A us tralia I ndones ia 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1980 1985 1990 Year 1995 2000 CO2 Emissions: Asia and Elsewhere USA China Russia Germany 1990 2000 Japan India Australia South Korea Indonesia 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 Mtce Per Capita CO2 Emissions: Asia and Elsewhere U SA A us tralia Rus s ia G ermany 1990 2000 J apan South Korea C hina I ndones ia I ndia 0 1 2 3 t ce/person 4 5 6 Opportunities for Cooperation QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. China 3Es: Interests and Trends Economic Development: Economic Growth, Industrial Modernization, Market Development Environment: Improve Water and Air Quality, Reduce Waste; SO2 (not CO2) of Main Concern Energy: Improve Efficiency and Reduce Pollution; Rely on Coal; Expand Electricity, Natural Gas, Renewables Japan 3Es: Interests and Trends Economic Development: Recover From Economic Slump; Improve Financial Institutions Environment: Climate Change Prominent; Also Smog, Dioxin, Waste Energy: Diversify Supply; Conserve and Further Improve Efficiency; Promote Renewables Common 3Es Interests in NE Asia Economic Development: Promote balanced growth through good trade relations, improved industry structure and economic efficiency Environment: Adopt strategies that address local and regional problems together, e.g., pollution prevention, energy efficiency Energy: Promote energy security through conservation, efficiency, renewables, diversification of oil supply Cooperation Example: Energy Foundation (EF) Policy Support for Industrial Energy Efficiency EF supports China’s Energy Efficiency Law by funding the development of industrial energy efficiency policies. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. If fully implemented, the law could reduce energy consumption - and related pollution - by 35% by 2020. Funding is directed to Chinese and int’l experts and targets policy makers, for maximum effectiveness. Implications for Regional Cooperation Focus on cooperation, not conflict. With common interests in the region, environment/energy cooperation provides an opportunity for improving relations. Recognize and address the sources of environmental problems: energy, economy. Strengthen Chinese institutions for policy design and implementation.