December 2009 / January 2010 - Association of Dutch Businessmen

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Green Page Low Carbon City Initiative 1. Why is the initiative needed? China is the most populous country in the world. Its economy is also one of the fastest growing, with annual average GDP growth rates settling in at 9% to 10% over recent decades. The steady growth has attracted global attention for both outstanding economic figures and the potential environmental impacts resulting from the massive increase in energy consumption. Due to limited resources and environmental capacity at home and abroad, China is impelled to explore a path of sustainable development, which will contribute to development and security at national and international levels. Cities will play an important role in this challenge, because most energy is consumed in cities. In order to protect people and nature from dangerous environmental threats, sustainable development of China’s growing cities must become a top priority. Trend towards rapid urbanization. The number of cities in China has increased from 193 in 1978 to 661 in 2005, among which 54 are so-called mega-cities and 84 are large cities, compared to, respectively, 13 and 27 in 1978. By the end of 2006, the urbanization rate in China was about 43.6% of the population. This rate is rapidly increasing, with 75% of the population estimated to live in cities by 2050. Heavy industrialization is on the rise. Energy consumption in heavy industries - such as iron and steel, chemicals and energy - accounts for 70% of the total in the industrial sector, and is still growing at a fast pace. Industries themselves represent 70% of China’s total energy consumption. Heavy industry provides the goods and products which are increasingly consumed in cities. Conceptual Framework and Key Drivers for the Low Carbon City Initiative International and national public work: Export support of EE and RE industry Public private partnerships North-South: North-South EE and RE Technology transfer and cooperation City Planning Building Transport Industry/Utilities Public International B&I + academia: Best practice and expertise from developed countries EE: Energy Efficiency B&I: Business and industry Chinese policy work: Central/Provincial Government Support RE: Renewable Energy GAA: Government Aid Agency International and national B&I: Multi-national companies investment International and national B&I: Support from the financial sector International GAA: Fund support from other donors and countries Energy consumption in cities is increasing rapidly. The energy consumption increase in China’s cities does not only result from rapid industrialization, but also from the buildings and transportation sectors. There are 17 billion m 2 of buildings in China’s urban areas, with 1 billion m 2 added each year. China’s vehicle population is also growing quickly, having surpassed 150 million by June 2007. In addition, urban energy consumption per capita is estimated to be three times higher than that of rural areas. The annual migration of approximately 10 million people from rural areas to urban centers projects a scenario of continued and rapid increase in urban energy consumption. Energy consumption causes serious environmental problems in cities. Vehicle emissions remain the biggest source of air pollution in cities. The pollution is the result of factors such as inappropriate urban planning, insufficient public transportation investment, growing vehicle numbers and low gas emission control standards. The Chinese government attaches great importance to climate change and is creating a series of policies and measures to address the issue. One of the government’s initiatives to reduce the country’s contribution to climate change was to establish a national target to decrease energy intensity by 20% by 2010. In a move to help China achieve this target, and to facilitate national and international low carbon development, WWF - with the support of local and global partners - will implement a Low Carbon City Initiative (LCCI) in China in the next 5 years. 2. What is the initiative about? LCCI will explore low carbon development models in different cities, working to improve energy efficiency in industry, construction and transportation sectors. It will also address the development of renewable energy and ensure that other cities in China can learn from successful experiences and replicate them. LCCI will focus on: • Supporting the research and the implementation of policies which contribute to low carbon development, • Supporting capacity building on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and support demonstration projects, • Promoting energy efficient technology transfer and cooperation between China and developed countries, 16 Vol.19 • No. 10 • December 2009 / January 2010
Green Page • Exploring new finance and investment instruments and sustainable trade opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy industry, • Improving public awareness on climate change in order to enable and encourage Chinese citizens to save energy and the environment. 3. Where does the initiative start? In the first stage, cooperative pilot projects will be implemented in the cities of Shanghai and Baoding. At a later stage more cities will be selected and join the Initiative. Shanghai: • New eco-building demonstrations including policy research on eco-building promotion and demonstration • Energy efficiency improvement of existing large commercial buildings including demonstration projects to promote energy consumption management systems, energy auditing and retrofitting, energy efficient operation, capacity building and international cooperation • 20 ways to 20% energy saving campaign, to raise public awareness of energy efficiency, and to extensively engage the people of China in energy saving Baoding: • Networking on sustainable energy knowledge management and technology cooperation including information database and service platform on renewable energy, patent prewarning mechanism on renewable energy technology, technology exchange and training • Encouraging the investment in and export of sustainable energy products including policy research on ways to promote the renewable energy industry, training on international trade measures of renewable energy products, and exchange of investment and financing in the renewable energy industry • Capacity building in city planning and industrial park development including design and implementation of a Solar Energy Demonstration City action plan and Wind Energy Industrial Park development plan, and development of certification service and public technology platforms LCCI will also conduct activities in Beijing focusing on low carbon development policy, promoting the best practices derived from the pilot projects, and making the 20 ways to 20% energy saving campaign a success. Baoding’s Power Valley Jinjiang International Hotel is partially powered by self-generated solar electricity, which comes from nearly 4500sqm of solar PV panels that have been integrated into the hotel’s design. Exploring the low carbon city development path is promising yet challenging, and more participation and support from governments, research institutes, companies and international organizations is required. WWF will develop and deliver all LCCI activities together with partners on this open platform, joining global actions to combat climate change. Partners • Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission • Shanghai Construction and Communication Commission • National Renewable Energy Industrial Production Base (Baoding) • Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association • Chinese Wind Energy Association • Shanghai Research Institute of Building Science • Administration of Baoding National Hi-tech Industry Development Zone • HSBC Climate Partnership • WWF - UK, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark Source: www.wwfchina.org/english/sub_loca. php?loca=1&sub=96 17 Vol.19 • No. 10 • December 2009 / January 2010
Page 1: December 2009 / January 2010 MITA 3
Page 4 and 5: A monthly publication of the Associ
Page 6 and 7: Business World Expo 2010 Shanghai C
Page 8 and 9: Business What does a Chinese consum
Page 10 and 11: Business Rich, Richer, Richest: Wea
Page 12 and 13: Business Building business ties By
Page 14 and 15: Business My Chinese adventure: host
Page 16 and 17: Business Under Chinese management B
Page 20 and 21: Travel China beaches By Sara Caris
Page 22 and 23: Interview Ask4Me in Guangzhou By Fr
Page 24 and 25: Interview Doing business in China,
Page 26 and 27: Interview Vendors (ISVs) to help th
Page 28 and 29: Special Tibet, or did the 13 th Dal
Page 30 and 31: Know your tax China challenges Spec
Page 32 and 33: Business news Sources: Het Financie
Page 34 and 35: Event Agenda BODY WORLDS: The origi
Page 36 and 37: Conference Calendar A selection of
Page 38 and 39: Association Info New Members Anne E
Page 40: Connected Heart-to-heart Reserved F

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