New pilot projects in specific sectors such as coal and chemical
production will aim to develop a greener economy.
The government-sponsored projects of the so-called "circular economy" are
ultimately aimed at eliminating emissions by making more efficient use of
resources.
The National Development and Reform Commission said on Wednesday it will
develop a national campaign to promote a circular economy, a concept put forth
by a US economist in 1960s.
Pilot projects are also planned in other sectors such as electricity
generation, building materials and recycling of household appliances.
A circular economy that recycles materials can take better advantage of
resources and energy, minimize waste discharge, and reach a harmonious
interaction between society, the economy and the environment.
Motivated by the country's resource shortage and the ongoing investing spree,
the commission's minister Ma Kai said last year that China's economic
development in 2004 will focus on conserving resources.
The measures on circular economy are seen as a step to turn Ma's words into
action.
Given the current economic development trend in China, the gross domestic
products (GDP) will undoubtedly quadruple by 2020.
To sustain such economic miracles, an average annual growth rate of 8 per
cent is critical, along with the necessary resources to support the growth.
Aside from other problems along the bumpy road to prosperity, insufficient
resources can be the single most dangerous threat to an otherwise rosy scenario,
according to the commission.
Experts said the circular economy is an ideal development model but more
incentives are needed to realize the model.
"Basically, a circular economy will not work unless there are clear
incentives and emission responsibilities," said Zhang Jianyu, a visiting scholar
with Tsinghua University.
The commission said China is only now starting to develop a circular, more
environmentally friendly economy.
Policies, laws and regulations on issues like recycling home appliances and
construction materials should be put in place and recycling systems should be
set up as soon as possible, said the commission.
In recent years, China has taken considerable strides in environmental
protection.
In 2002, the country passed a law promoting clean production methods.
Many provinces and cities have also instituted local regulations supporting
clean production.
More than 400 enterprises in more than 20 industries have undertaken clean
production evaluations.
Some 20 local clean production centres have been established. More than
10,000 people have attended training on clean production.
R.C. Lao, a Chinese Canadian working as an environmental expert with the
State Council, said the government is busy mapping out standards for the
circular economy.
"The standards will detail upper limits of energy and resource consumption
for all sectors," said Lao, who is also the resident project manager of the
Canada-China Project on Cleaner Production (CP) under the Canadian International
Development Agency.
He said a massive publicity campaign should be organized nationwide to make
Chinese people informed of the practices.
