Pollution Prevention and Energy Efficiency - Research Paper Example

Pollution Prevention (P2) and Energy Efficiency (E2) China is a developing nation with the largest population in the world. It has exhibited an unprecedented pace of economic development since the late 1970s, which is still continuing. Many nations have suffered from the problems attendant upon industrialization. Rapid and unregulated development harms the environment, and China with its dismal lack of resources and capacity for environmental management, has caused grave harm to the environment (China.org.cn, 2006). As a signatory to the WTO, it adopted the environmental aspects of the treaty. The result of this accession was demonstrated in the areas of agriculture, forestry, marine aquaculture, automobiles, energy, and textiles. These sectors are China’s cardinal economic sectors, and have great significance for the environment. The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development’s Task Force on WTO and Environment, or TFWE; has undertaken assessment of the impact of these sectors on the environment (An environmental impact assessment of China's WTO accession, 2004). The impact of WTO accession can be witnessed in the areas of energy and the environment. These two areas have undergone considerable change, as China was compelled to integrate its energy markets with international energy markets. The consequence, was that it had to ensure clean and environment – friendly energy systems. In order to achieve the goal of establishing a clean energy system, which is compatible with international standards, China has to enact a broad range of effective legislation, regulatory mechanisms and other standards (An environmental impact assessment of China's WTO accession, 2004). China’s energy sector is largely dependent on coal. Thus, under the provisions of the Treaty, China has to adopt new environment – friendly technologies for coal consumption. This requires China to participate in the International market to acquire clean coal technology (An environmental impact assessment of China's WTO accession, 2004). It is evident that China is emerging as a major manufacturing centre of resource and energy intensive products. This is attributable to the low cost of production in China. This is a precarious situation, and adequate measures have to be adopted to prevent China from becoming a source of raw materials and harming the environment (An environmental impact assessment of China's WTO accession, 2004). The introduction of CFC – free products has influenced the electronic industry, globally. In particular, the refrigerator manufacturers are forced to adopt this new technology, in order to survive the stiff competition posed by giant and multinational corporations. The widespread advertising of this new technology – based products has attracted consumer interest. As such, Chinese manufacturers have to adopt this new technology to market their products (Zhao & Ortolano, September-November 1999, Pages 499-519). However, the foams industry has not undergone any change, on account of the large number of small manufacturing units in this sector. Their financial and technical capability is limited. Moreover, their limited access to information and technology precludes knowledge about the latest developments in their area. Industrial structure plays a major role in any technological advancement. These factors have prevented significant change to the foams sector (Zhao & Ortolano, September-November 1999, Pages 499-519). The Montreal Protocol has established the Multilateral Fund, in order to encourage industries and enterprises to adopt newer technologies, for reducing Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). However, the procedures for accessing the Multilateral Fund are complex and time consuming. Moreover, companies find it difficult to locate an appropriate supplier of non – CFC technologies. Furthermore, most of the enterprises lack the financial and technical capability to adopt these new technologies (Zhao & Ortolano, September-November 1999, Pages 499-519). The indiscriminate manufacture of paper also contributes to environmental pollution. In China, post cards and greeting cards are manufactured in large volumes between Christmas and the Spring Festival. The China Environment Protection Foundation stated that more than thirty million post cards were used in Beijing alone, during that period. According to it, in order to meet the demands of the people of Beijing, nearly 10,000 trees would have to be felled. This survey also estimated that nearly 9,000 tons of waste water is produced during the process of making thirty million postcards or greeting cards (China: Recycled Cards Help Save Forests, December 28, 1999, Pg. 2 ). According to the Foundation, China has a highly – polluted environment, in comparison with other nations in the world. In addition to this, China has less forest area than other countries. Its forest area is just a third of some of the developed countries. This problem has been mitigated to some extent, due to the use of telephones and mobile phones to convey messages instead of postcards (China: Recycled Cards Help Save Forests, December 28, 1999, Pg. 2 ). In 2008, China established the Ministry of Environmental Protection or MEP. This is a major development in China’s environmental protection management. The first national environmental protection conference was held in 1973. The MEP is one of the twenty – seven major ministries in the Chinese government. By establishing the MEP, China demonstrated its concern for environmental protection. It had established the MEP, when its environment had deteriorated to the lowest standards, due to unstable economic development. The MEP’s fundamental goal is to engender a concerted green drive (The China Story Winds of Change For China's Environment Protection, August 13, 2008 ). China’s rapid economic growth affected its environment, and its natural resources were depleted. In addition, the health of China’s population was adversely affected. There was public outcry against this situation, which compelled the Chinese Central Government to employ stricter measures to effect environmental policies. The government adopted the Scientific Outlook on Development policy, and initiated several programs under its Five – Year Plans, which were to be effective from 2006 to 2010. In this process, China upgraded the status of its environmental agency to that of a ministry, the MEP. The establishment of the MEP was an important step in its battle against environment pollution (The China Story Winds of Change For China's Environment Protection, August 13, 2008 ). Many environmentalists have criticized the government for its failure to address the environmental problem. They argue that merely changing the name of the environment agency is insufficient to effectively curb such pollution. This is because the environmental protection authority is directly under the control of local governments at the provincial level. The local administration provides the personnel and funding, which makes it difficult for the environmental agency to act independently (The China Story Winds of Change For China's Environment Protection, August 13, 2008 ). Moreover, local authorities lack independent decision – making and cannot monitor the actions of the government, in respect of the environment. Furthermore, both the central government and local authorities have to operate in a coordinated manner. In addition, the paucity of resources and capability to address environmental problems prevents local governments from implementing high – level projects designed to control environmental pollution. The official stance of the central government is that it is its policy to provide clean water and clean air for everybody. However, in practice, this is difficult to achieve, because of the overlapping of administrative functions and powers of the various departments. Consequently, it is upto the MEP to ensure coordination between the various departments (The China Story Winds of Change For China's Environment Protection, August 13, 2008 ). The enforcement of environment protection is beset with opposition from local authorities, whose vested interests could be harmed by these measures. Local governments control and provide resources to the environment protection departments at the local level. This can be resolved, if the central government establishes regional level supervising authorities, in order to prevent local protectionism. The central government of China has enacted several legislations and regulations to address environmental protection (Protectionism Still a Barrier, May 16, 2006 ). However, the enforcement of these measures and laws is not up to the mark. The central government has shown its determination to enforce these laws and measures. Accordingly, it established an effective system of law enforcement in the 11th Five – Year Plan from 2006 to 2010. First and foremost, the central government has to establish strong agencies with determined personnel to enforce environmental law (Protectionism Still a Barrier, May 16, 2006 ). In many developed nations, environment agencies are extremely effective. They investigate pollution cases and suggest suitable remedies; as such, they respond immediately to environmental emergencies, and provide immediate help to people subjected to pollution. These countries usually establish trans – regional environment bodies. The enforcing authorities must be adequately empowered, if environmental protection is to be effected. In China, such empowerment is absent, and enforcement of environmental law is ineffective and punishments are not stringent. In addition, Chinese environmental agencies lack the power to close infringing companies. These agencies have to depend on local governments and various other departments for this purpose (Protectionism Still a Barrier, May 16, 2006 ). The government of China expresses concern about the environment and its protection. It is ostensibly committed to the protection of the environment, and states that long – term development of nations, is dependent on affording protection to the environment. China has vehemently declared that its modernization process was embarked upon in an eco-friendly manner. The Chinese government has also stated that long – term environmental protection is essential for ensuring the well being of the people, including the future generations. It has also stated that previously it had been deeply involved with the economic development of the nation, and that presently; it had combined environmental protection to that objective (China.org.cn, 2006). At the global level, people are keenly aware of the importance of environmental protection. China states that it respects such global concerns for the environment, and that it attempts to solve environmental problems, while attaining its developmental goals. Moreover, China declares that it has adopted an industrialization policy that attempts to promote economic growth, in addition to implementing stringent measures to protect the environment. To this end, China states that it has changed its economic strategies by adopting a scientific outlook towards environmental protection. The official Chinese stance is that it insists upon the importance of environmental protection, whilst achieving economic development (China.org.cn, 2006). The Chinese government has stated that it has introduced a number of measures for institutional innovation. It has also declared that it had reinvigorated its environmental legislation. Moreover, it has ostensibly encouraged its populace to participate in its environmental protection programs. It now states that these efforts had brought about a decrease in overall environmental pollution and ecological damage, despite the increase in the consumption and emission of pollutants by its industries. China has also stated that pollution control has achieved success in the river valley regions; and that the quality of the environment has improved in the cities and provinces (China.org.cn, 2006). The Chinese government has initiated measures for ensuring environmental quality. These initiatives have provided mixed results. For instance, the Chinese authorities had invested large amounts, to clean the Huai River. Despite spending of billions of dollars on this project, there was negligible progress in decreasing the pollution in this river. The main reason for this poor result was the absence of adequate cooperation from local governments. Thus, power decentralization is crucial in national projects for environmental protection (He, 2008). Although the central government depicts a strong determination and commitment towards protection of the environmental; in practice, the local governments do not participate to the extent required in such projects. Their reluctance to carry out these projects results in ineffective environmental protection (He, 2008). The natural resources of China are depleting at an alarming rate, while its population is increasing rapidly. Coal plays a crucial role in its economic development, and China relies on it as the chief ingredient for the production of energy. China’s technology is outdated, obsolete, and unsuited for modern processes; and it supplies water and energy at subsidized prices. On the other hand, industrial growth in China is increasing rapidly. All these factors contribute to the major environmental problems of China. To cope up with this situation, the Chinese government enacted stringent environmental legislation (Harris). Under the aegis of this legislation, the government authorities closed down several hundred rogue factories that had high levels of pollutant emissions. China is determined to reduce pollutant discharges by industries and factories, to the extent of 10% of the same rate in 2005, by the end of the year 2010. It is also planning to reduce energy consumption by 20% per GDP unit. China is investing nearly $175 billion for environmental protection in the next Five – Year Plan, which is the equivalent of 1.4% of its total GDP (Harris). The Ministry of Environmental Protection reported its progress on June 5, 2008. According to this report, 48% of power – producing units that rely on coal have been equipped with desulfurization systems, by the end of 2007, to reduce the sulfur emissions. In 2005, only 12% of the units were provided with these systems. By the end of 2007, the municipal wastewater treatment process was completed to an extent of nearly 60% (Harris). Another major achievement of the MEP is that it had reduced the Chemical Oxygen Demand by 3.14% and Sulfur Dioxide emissions by 4.66%, in comparison to that of the previous year. The Chinese environmental protection market provides several opportunities, such as introduction of wastewater treatment technology in municipalities and industries; use of technology in the treatment of hazardous wastes and medical wastes; use of technology that converts waste into energy; introduction of De-Sox and De-NOx technologies; and equipment for monitoring air and water pollution (Harris). China has to undertake many more measures to prevent environmental pollution. It has to strive hard to address challenges to water supply and water resource protection, prevention of air pollution, and promoting the efficiency of energy. According to Klaus Toepfer, former chief of the United Nations Environment Program, China has to adapt to the new technologies employed by developed nations that implement environmental protection and energy – saving. He added that China had to participate in international cooperation projects to understand the methods of environmental protection and energy – saving from those countries (China's environmental protection crucial to the world, 2008). The present global recession is certain to have negative effects on the measures used for protecting environment and energy – saving. However, these effects are not expected to last for long. With better utilization of technology, China has to face these new challenges. The measures undertaken by the Chinese government had stabilized the financial markets (China's environmental protection crucial to the world, 2008). . In the same manner, it has to undertake measures to stabilize environment protection and conservation of energy China has to undertake several reforms to meet its energy – conservation objectives. The chief amongst these are structural changes to the economy to attract investments; invention of new methods for sustainable energy consumption; adoption and promotion of sophisticated technologies for ensuring efficient production of energy; and implementing strong support from the central government, by adopting suitable policies (IUCN Academy of Environmental Law, 2005. Pp. 54 – 55). In addition to the above, China has to invent new models of sustainable consumption. Mere imitation of energy – consumption models of the developed nations would not be of much help. The challenges faced by other developing nations are also the challenges faced by China. Chief amongst these are the rapid increase of population, depletion of natural resources and other environmental problems. China has to explore and develop new and efficient solutions to these problems. This is inevitable for promoting energy efficiency (IUCN Academy of Environmental Law, 2005. Pp. 54 – 55). China offers great opportunities for the invention of new technologies. However, the present structure and basis on which the market forces operate are not congenial to achieving these goals. China has to change its present Energy Conservation Law. Moreover, there should be nationwide consensus for its efforts. The extant energy standards and enforcement mechanisms are insufficient for achieving energy efficiency parameters. At this juncture, China has to encourage research and development in technology, and relax the levies and other economic measures imposed on the market (IUCN Academy of Environmental Law, 2005. Pp. 54 – 55). Developing nations, including China, are facing the problem of divergence between devel­opment and the environment. Rapid industrialization at minimal cost is a prerequisite for economic development. Such, industrial growth results in the deterioration of the environment, on account of liquid, gaseous and solid waste pollution; which proves difficult to effectively address. China’s colossal population and its limited natural resources, renders its environmental problem grave. Its arable land is much less, in comparison to other nations. Moreover, its rapid financial growth, since 1980, has affected the size of such agricultural land. In addition, the enormous population growth has resulted in minimizing the size of such land, per capita (Dwivedi & Vajpeyi, 1995. P. 71). Thus, developing nations face enormous problems, adjusting to the tightrope walk between industrialization and environmental protection. These countries lack advanced technology; hence, they have to rely on inferior methods of producing energy for manufacture; which inevitably has a damaging effect on the environment. In respect of China, some developed countries, like Japan, have offered to transfer advanced manufacturing technology to it. This is essential, because nothing is likely to stop the Sino industrial juggernaut. This could possibly, mitigate the harm caused by China’s industrialization to the environment. List of References An environmental impact assessment of China's WTO accession. (2004, October). A Report by the Task Force on WTO and Environment China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development . China.org.cn. (2006, June 5). Environmental Protection in China (1996-2005) . Retrieved June 7, 2009, from http://www.china.org.cn/english/2006/Jun/170355.htm China: Recycled Cards Help Save Forests. (December 28, 1999, Pg. 2 ). China Daily . China's environmental protection crucial to the world. (2008). Retrieved June 7, 2009, from China Daily: http://www.chinadaily.cn/china/2008-12/07/content_7278740.htm Dwivedi, O. P., & Vajpeyi, D. K. (1995. P. 71). Environmental Policies in the Third World: A Comparative Analysis. Greenwood Press. Harris, G. (n.d.). Environmental Technologies. Retrieved June 7, 2009, from http://www.buyusa.gov/china/en/environmental.html He, G. (2008, July 17). China's New Ministry of Environmental Protection Begins to Bark, but Still Lacks in Bite. Retrieved June 7, 2009, from http://earthtrends.wri.org/updates/node/321 IUCN Academy of Environmental Law. (2005. Pp. 54 – 55). The law of energy for sustainable development. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521845254. Protectionism Still a Barrier. (May 16, 2006 ). Chinadaily.com.cn . The China Story Winds of Change For China's Environment Protection. (August 13, 2008 ). Chinadaily.com.cn . Zhao, J., & Ortolano, L. (September-November 1999, Pages 499-519). Implementing the montreal protocol in china: Use of cleaner technology in two industrial sectors. Environmental Impact Assessment Review , Volume 19, Issues 5-6. Read More