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
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China’s Environment: Domestic Challenges and Regional Implications Stephanie B. Ohshita Assistant Professor, Dept. of Environmental Science University.
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China’s Environment: Domestic Challenges and Regional Implications
Stephanie B. OhshitaAssistant Professor, Dept. of Environmental Science
University of San FranciscoPresentation to
World Affairs Council of Northern CaliforniaStudy Group on Crises in Northeast Asia
26 July 2005
Key PointsChina’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.
Over 75% of China’s SO2 pollution, acid rain, and CO2 emissions come from coal combustion.
Image Source: Stephanie B. Ohshita, 2005.
Impacts: Acid Rain
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Image Source: Centre for Environmentally Sound Technology Transfer.
Impacts: Water - Shortage and Pollution
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Image Sourcse: CNN.
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.
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
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Image Sources: The Guardian, BBC News, True Health.
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Impacts: 25% of China’s Land Becoming Desert
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Image Sourcse: BBC News, New York Times, World Bank.
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Regional Impacts:How Much Does China’s Pollution Affect Its Neighbors?
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Causes of the Problems: The “3Es”
Energy
Environment
Economy
Environmental Administration in China: Institutional Tensions
National Peoples Congress,State Council
NDRC (formerly SDPC)
SEPASETC
(disbanded in 2003)
(State Industrial
Bureaus)
(Provincial Industrial Bureaus and ETCs)
Provincial Development Commissions
Local Development Commissions
Provincial EPBs
Local EPBs(Local Industrial Bureaus and ETCs)
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Economic Growth, Energy, & Air Pollution
-
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
1980 1985 1990 1995
Year
GDP (billion 1995 yuan)
Total Coal Consumption (Mt)
Total SO2 Emissions (kt)
Energy Consumption: Asia and Elsewhere
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
Year
Primary Energy Consumption (EJ)
United States
China
FSU/Russia
Japan
Germany
India
South Korea
Australia
Indonesia
CO2 Emissions: Asia and Elsewhere
0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800
Indonesia
South Korea
Australia
India
Japan
Germany
Russia
China
USA
Mtce
19902000
Per Capita CO2 Emissions: Asia and Elsewhere
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
India
Indonesia
China
South Korea
Japan
Germany
Russia
Australia
USA
tce/person
19902000
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Opportunities for Cooperation
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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 AsiaEconomic 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
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EF supports China’s Energy Efficiency Law by funding the development of industrial energy efficiency policies.
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.