As a consequence of that rapid industrialization in 2007, China became the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. Since then, not only the EU and the US, but also developing nations such as the alliance of small island states have put the government in Beijing under pressure to adopt binding emission cuts.

As a result of that, at the 2009 climate summit in Copenhagen, China announced that it would reduce its carbon intensity – the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic output – by at least 40% by 2020. Achieving this ambitious goal has become an overriding political priority for the Chinese government. The draft of its new five-year plan, which will be discussed by the National People’s Congress in March, includes an environmental tax and other carbon-cutting measures.

One of the most shocking and unexpected measures unveiled by Beijing is that China has set an annual growth target of 7% to ensure sustainable development during its new five-year plan. Hence, the new target (lowered from 8%, the initial expected economic growth rate) may mark the end of China’s peak growth years as environmental constraints drive up the expense of resources and pollution control.

“In China’s thousands of years of civilization, the conflict between humanity and nature has never been as serious as it is today,” the environment minister Zhou Shengxian wrote on his ministry’s website. “The depletion, deterioration and exhaustion of resources and the deterioration of the environment have become serious bottlenecks constraining economic and social development.”

In words of the premier, Wen Jiabao, this decisions responds to the will “to raise the quality and efficiency of economic growth”. He said: “We absolutely cannot again sacrifice the environment as the cost for high-speed growth, to have blind development, and in that way to create over-capacity and put greater pressure on the environment and resources. That economic development is unsustainable.”

Between 2000 and 2010 China’s energy demand has surged by 220%, compared to a world average of 20%. Since 2006, the country has accounted for 75% of the global increase in coal consumption and 60% of the increase in oil use.

Via: The Guardian

China is currently suffering the worst drought in 60 years. Its desperate situation requires from desperate measures. The chinese government has announced a billion dollars in emergency water aid to ease the severe drought, as the United Nations warned of a threat to the harvest of the world’s biggest wheat producer. Beijing has also promised to use its grain reserves to reduce the pressure on global food prices, which have surged in the past year to record highs due to the floods in Australia and a protracted dry spell in Russia.

The measures were evident in one of several key agricultural provinces afflicted by four months without rain, the Baita reservoir in Shandong. With nearby crops turning yellow, a mechanical digger cut a crude, open-cast well into the dried-up bed of the reservoir. Muddy water from the five-metre deep pit was pumped up to the surface via a hose that snaked past a fishing boat stranded on the cracked earth.

The problems are compounded by the growing water demands of cities and industry. On the outskirts of Sishui – which translates as Four Waters due to its historic abundance of rivers and sprints – villagers complain that they are not allowed to use the Si river that runs past their homes because the water is earmarked for the Huajin paper mill and an artificial lake in a nearby urban development.

“We can’t use our own water. The local officials want to keep it so they can show a ‘green face’ to the big-shot leaders from Beijing,” said a peanut and cotton farmer who gave the surname Liu to The Guardian. “We are very angry. But we are afraid to complain.”

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation issued an alert earlier this week (pdf). “The ongoing drought is potentially a very serious problem,” it said, noting that the affected area of 5.16 million hectares representd two-thirds of China’s wheat production.

Via: The Guardian

Water consumed by people in China contains dangerous levels of arsenic, fluorine and sulfates. An estimated 980 million of China’s 1.3 billion people drink water every day that is partly polluted. Water shortages and water pollution in China are such a problem that the World Bank warns of “catastrophic consequences for future generations.” Half of China’s population lacks safe drinking water. Nearly two thirds of China’s rural population—more than 500 million people—use water contaminated by human and industrial waste.

As a consequence of this in February 2010 chinese government unveiled its most detailed survey ever of the pollution plaguing the country, revealing that water pollution in 2007 was more than twice as severe as was shown in official figures that had long omitted agricultural waste. China’s total discharge as measured by chemical oxygen demand — the main gauge of water pollution, which measures chemical compounds in the water by checking how much oxygen they use. These discharges totaled 30.3 million tons in 2007, the survey showed.

But the government is taking action. The Chinese government is expected to spend about 200 billion yuan ($30.10 billion) on water conservation projects in 2011, a 10 percent more than in 2010, the state-run China Daily reported on last Saturday.

Priority areas of investing will not be specifically focused in water pollution remediation but to improving irrigation to ensure grain security and projects to combat drought and floods, but other funds would go toward renovating water supply infrastructure for main agriculture regions and ensuring safe drinking water for 60 million rural people.

Chen Xiwen, is director of the central government’s rural work leading group who advises top leaders on rural policy. "We have to accelerate the construction of water conservation facilities as one of the key infrastructures the country needs to secure increasing grain production. We must address issues arising from the country’s rapid urbanization, which has consumed land that used to be used for farming," he said.

Chen Xiwen said this month water shortages and the encroachment of urban development on rural land posed challenges for China to extend increases in grain output after seven years of growth.

Via: Reuters | New York Times | Facts and Details

On one side, two countries have experimented a two point increase in the index, India and UK, due to Government’s injection (US$ 1 billion) in the green economy by the former, and the government plans to launch a £2 billion “green investment bank” fund by the latter. On the other side, “Greece, Spain and Portugal have all suffered negative score changes due to worsening capital markets and a downward revision of sovereign credit ratings by Standard and Poor (S&P)”, stresses the report.

The report shows that China is now tied with America as the most attractive location in which to invest in renewable energy projects. The report looks at the "Shift to green" and challenges for renewable support mechanisms.

The Country Attractiveness Indices track the relative attractiveness of 27 countries’ renewable energy markets across a selection of technologies each quarter. The Ernst & Young index tracks and scores investment in renewable energy, all renewables, long-term on or off-shore solar photovoltaic, concentrated solar power, biomass, geothermal and infrastructure. Since 2003, the Ernst & Young Energy and Environmental Infrastructure Advisory team has been releasing quarterly data that ranks national renewable energy markets, and their suitability for individual technologies.

Via: EY

Construction began in 2006, and it will be finished later this year. The architecture firm behind this 71-story high building is Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. The skyscraper will be home to the China National Tobacco Corporation.

Let’s see, this building will include solar panels, wind turbines, greywater recycling, efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning, among other features.

The Pearl River Tower will have motorized louvers that open or close according to the position of the sun, and the interior and exterior temperatures. These help keep the building cool, and provide ventilation.

As for the wind turbines, they will generate 4% of the tower’s power. Together with the solar panels, the turbines will power the HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning).

On the whole, the building will be 58% more energy efficient than conventional skyscrapers.

VIA: Inhabitat / Fortune

The team is from Tianjin University, and their house has been called “Sunflower”, and it also uses solar energy, thanks to which it doesn’t need to be connected to the grid.

This year’s Solar Decathlon will be held in Spain, in June.

Among the Sunflower’s sustainable features are its energy efficient kitchen and its recycling toilet system. Part of its exterior is covered in solar panels. I’ll be posting more details when they become available.

VIA: Ecofriend

The world’s largest solar powered building is located in Dezhou, Shangdong Province, in northwest China. The facility has a 75,000 square meter surface which was built based on the sun dial structure. The innovation in the design and construction of this type of building is being pushed forward by the urgent need of seeking renewable energy to start replacing fossil fuels, that have an enormous impact on air pollution.

The building has exhibition centers, scientific research facilities, meeting and training facilities and even a sustainable hotel. Dubbed the Sun and the Moon Altar micro-row buildings, the architecture features the Chinese characters for sun and moon, while the white exterior structure symbolizes clean energy.

The most important feature of this green office building is the huge quantity of solar light that the roof panels attract and the powerful energy you can obtain from them. But, there were also other ideas that came up while the building was being constructed.

For example, roof and wall insulation technology systems reduce 30% more energy than the national energy saving standard.

The building will be the main stage for the 4th World Solar City Congress that will be held in September 2010.

VIA: Ecofriend

BUT, we Sustentators believe that in order to progress we need to find the positive side of things. While no binding agreement was reached, there were other accomplishments, possibly minor, but not irrelevant.

To start with, more than 110 world leaders gathered with a common goal: to discuss how to address climate change. We believe this is really remarkable. The Presidents of the USA, China, Germany, France and Brazil, among others, were in Copenhagen. That means the world and political leaders are giving increasing importance to global warming.

Secondly, the conference was covered by thousands of media reporting during the two weeks of Copenhagen on the progress and challenges that occurred there. This breadth in media coverage must have reached many people around the world, which were in contact with environmental problems. This is a virtuous circle, because if more people are aware, the social pressure increases for politicians, and this helps legitimate stronger actions.

Thirdly, an agreement (with all its faults) was achieved. The so-called “Copenhagen Accord” was the result of talks between China, the U.S., India and Brazil. There is now an open door for other countries to adhere to it. This agreement does not oblige countries to meet any goals. But it is a tool for dialogue and mutual support. Registrants will declare their objectives in terms of GHG emissions reductions, and then receive inspections. If the reduction targets are not met, there will be no consequences, since the agreement is not legally binding.

In turn, as mentioned in an article in Worldchanging, this two-week event shows there has been a change in global politics and world order. The fact that both poor and rich countries had the power to affect discussions and be heard is great news. For example, at the beginning of the second week of the CoP15, several African countries boycotted the negotiations, and without them the conference did not follow until an agreement was reached. The methodology of the discussions was democratic. The results were not what was expected, but the good thing is that many countries were able to participate and have a say.

Many leaders, politicians, NGO leaders and media are criticizing Copenhagen. They cite the lack of political will, the failure of the negotiation and decision making mechanisms of the UNFCCC, and the danger we now face because of not having reached an agreement. Certainly, the disappointment is great. But the environmental crisis in which we are forces us to seek to be constructive. We need to try to consider every step, every mistake, as a possible contribution to an effective solution to climate change.

The next stage in global negotiations, framed by the UN, is next year in Mexico. We have much to do. If this year the world was not ready to commit to a binding treaty, perhaps, hopefully it will be in 2010. The greater the awareness and involvement of each one of us, the more leaders will feel bound to find the political will which they lacked in Copenhagen.

• US President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and in his acceptance speech he emphasized the need for fighting climate change. He mentioned that from scientists and environmental activists to military leaders, the knowledge that “our common security hangs in the balance” is widespread.
• 100 nations are demanding more ambitious targets in terms of combating climate change. Among these, the 43-member alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) is particularly concerned about the effect rising sea levels can have on them. The least developed countries (LDCs) and the AOSIS support the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees temperature rise. This would require at least a 45% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by rich nations, from 1990 levels by 2020.
• A new draft, the “Copenhagen Accord” has surfaced, prepared by China, India, South Africa and Brazil, the four major emerging economies. The draft suggests that rich countries should reduce their emissions by more than 40% compared to 1990 levels, and that the Kyoto Protocol should include a “binding” amendment. The draft was posted by French newspaper “Le Monde” in its website. The “Copenhagen Accord” aims at keeping temperatures from increasing more than two degrees compared to pre-industrial levels. An interesting proposal is that emissions reductions should be achieved “mainly through domestic measures” and not so much through paying for offsetting in other countries.

• 
• Russian president Dmitry Medvedev will attend Copenhagen, on December 17-18. The fact that Medvedev has decided to participate in the conference means that leaders from the 15 most emitting countries will attend the COP15.
• Guess which was the most searched word in Google these past days? Copenhagen. This is yet another proof that the world is turned to this potentially revolutionary event, which will affect our world, and the world we leave to future generations.
• And last but… certainly not least; we have Sweden’s promise to give 800 million euro to help developing countries in their fight against climate change.

VIA: COP15

Some of the initiatives they have agreed on are the following:

The US and India will foster development and deployment of clean energy technologies. An Indo-US Clean Energy Research and Deployment Initiative has been launched. This includes a Joint Research Center. Some of the priorities of this initiative include energy efficiency, smart grid, second-generation biofuels, and clean coal technologies such as carbon capture and storage. Also solar energy, sustainable transportation, and wind energy development.

Specifically, concerning solar energy, the U.S. National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) will work with Indian Solar Energy Centre so as to create a nation-wide map of solar energy potential.

On the other hand, both Singh and Obama will try to encourage investment in clean energy projects in India.

They will also help each other regarding adaptation to climate change, looking for ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forests and land use.

Both leaders said that Copenhagen must result in a treaty that covers mitigation, adaptation, finance, and technology. Further, they both claimed to be determined to reduce emissions and said they are most willing to accomplish these pledges.

Another interesting project is the idea India has of creating a National Environmental Protection Authority, which will receive help and guidance from US Environmental Protection Agency. India’s project has the objective of establishing a more effective system of environmental governance, regulation and enforcement.

And lastly, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will work with India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences to help forecast monsoons and prevent risks related to climate change, which could harm both people and crops.

Let’s hope all these fantastic initiatives and ideas are put into practice and inspire other nations to get together to fight climate change, and develop renewable energies.

Via: America.gov

Climate Progress

Their plan focuses mainly on clean energy. The idea is that the implementation of clean energy will be studied and fostered, and that emissions will be hopefully reduced thanks to natural gas and the development of carbon capture technology.

Main actions to be taken

The US and China will create a common Clean Energy Research Center, that will enhance joint research and the development of clean energy technologies. At least $150 million in the next five years will be dedicated to the Center, and split between the two countries.

Electric vehicles are another key element of the plan. An Electric Vehicles Initiative will be launched, seeking to develop joint standards, educational projects, and demonstration projects.

Energy efficiency could not be left behind, so an Energy Efficiency Action Plan will be established. The US and China will unite their efforts in improving energy efficiency in buildings, industrial facilities, and consumer appliances. Also, common standards will be set. A forum to discuss such topics will, from now on, be held once a year.

As for renewable energies, the two Presidents announced the creation of a Renewable Energy Partnership, through which they will help each other to enhance the development of renewable energy in their countries. They will share information on grid modernization. A forum will be held, also, once a year.

China and the US want to work together to achieve cleaner uses of coal. This is related to their quest for investigating and developing carbon capture and storage.

It is encouraging to see two super powers trying to work together to find possible solutions to the environmental crisis we are all in today. As Al Gore says, “if you want to go far, go together”. Let’s hope all these plans are in fact carried out.

Via: Treehugger

More: White House