The Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21(Frist Version)
( Revised and Expanded Version)
The Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21(Frist Version)
Priority Programme Guideline:
Introduction
Priority 1 Capacity Building for Sustainable Development
Introduction
The Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21 are directly derived from China's Agenda 21. As a result, they serve to transform China's Agenda 21, a strategic framework, to a phased, operational programme of priority projects, which combine pressing issues to be solved, capacity building, key technologies and demonstration projects for China's sustainable development.
The Priority Programme, complied by the State and Technology Commission and the State Planning Commission in line with other about 52 ministries, agencies and public opinions, are formulated in accordance with the development objectives and programme areas of China's Agenda 21. On the basis of proposals of 550 projects from various ministries and agencies, the first tranche of priority programmes are screened in order to seek international cooperation and aid. The rest about 500 project proposals can be available in detail from the Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21).
Objectives and Significance
The Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21 has been organized with the projects divided into categories based upon the Programme areas. These executable projects will serves as the fundamental means for implementing China's Agenda 21.
To implement the commitment to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, the Government of China takes practical actions to fulfil the strategy for sustainable development. The Priority Programme will be embodied into the medium- and long-term plans for national economic and social development, particularly in the formulation of the Ninth Five-year Plan (1996-2000) and the plans for 2010 at various levels based on domestic resources and international support.
In accordance with the condition of China, implementation of the Priority Programme will concentrate on solving the pressing problems in the areas of population, natural resources, environment and development, and will strengthen awareness and capacity for the participation of business and industry and the general public which will not only promote sustainble development for China but also for the Asia Pacific Region and the whole world.
Basis for Formulating of the Priority Programme
Overall strategy, programme areas of China's Agenda 21, and the foundation laid down by the previous work.
More than five hundred project proposals suggested by lin ministries of the State Council, local governments, industrial sectors, academic institutions and other organizations.
Important issues related to global change that are most urgently in need of solution and of concern to the international community which will be helpful in promoting sustainable development in China.
Selection Criteria for Projects
Special attention is given to environmentally sound technologies and demonstration projects in agricultural, industrial and energy development which will lay a foundation to change the traditional development model.
The priority is given to important projects on environmental pollution control and conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources.
Social development programmes such as family planning, human health and poverty alleviation have a high priority in the Priority Programme.
Capacity building projects such as education and training, legislation, institution building and public participation and awareness are given a high priority.
The priority projects will be integrated with the important programmes presently implemented and planned for the future of various departments and regions and the associated domestic funding, pay back capacity and implementing conditions must be ensured.
The priority programme will embody global change issues which are of concern to the corporate body of humanity and can only be addressed through widespread international cooperation.
Organization and Implementation
The projects selected in the Priority Programme will be incorporated into the medium- and long-term national economic and social development plans for implementation, after they have been appraised and approved in accordance with certain procedures.
With the assistance of UNDP, the State Planning Commission, the State Science and Technology Commission, the State Economic and Trade Commission and the National Enveronmental Protection Agency will guide and coordinate the implementation of the priority projects. The Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21) will undertake the routine administration.
The Priority Programme will be carried out through many varieties of international cooperation, such as multilateral, bilateral, grant, loans, forgign investment, joint-venture, build-operation-transfer (BOT), etc.
The priority projects will be executed jointly by national implementing agencies and associated international partners, and involve the wide participation of all social actors.
The Priority Programmes will be executed in a rolling and flexible way. The priority projects that have been and are being implemented will be evaluated and adjusted timely. The remaining proposals which have not been covered in the first tranche Priority Programme and newly submitted project proposals will be put into the priority project inventory and be available in details from the Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 and will gradually be incorporated into the national economic and social development plans if possible. Continuous efforts will be made to seek international cooperation and assistance to promote the implementation of these projects.
Financial Inputs
The implementation of China's Agenda 21 will mainly depend upon China's own resources, at the same time, will actively seek international cooperation and assistance in this field. Roughly speaking, the Chinese inputs will cover about 60 percent of total funding and the remaining about 40 percent is expected from the international community. In line of in input means, the priority projects will be basically divided into three types: assistance, cooperation and investment. We are willing to discuss the ways of inputs and the amount of funding in details with international partners who are interested in the Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21.
Priorities
Nine priorities and sixty-two projects are contained in the Priority Programme. The sequence of both the areas and the projects has no indication of priority order.
Priority 1 Capacity Building for Sustainable Development
Including legislation and enforcement, policies, education and training, and public participation in sustainable development
in Northwest China
Priority 2 Sustainable Agriculture
Including the strategy for sustainable agriculture and demonstration projects, management of water resources for agriculture, development of biological pesticides and green foods, etc.
Priority 3 Cleaner Production and Environmental Protection Industry
Including management of cleaner production, introduction and demonstration of clean technologies in principal industrial sectors and enterprises, development of environmental protection industry and construction of industrial park for environmental science and technology, etc.
Priority 4 Clear Energy and Transportation
Including clean coal technologies, increase of energy efficiency, utilization of renewable energy sources, moderntransport planning and a pilot light rail, etc.
Power Plant
Priority 5 Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Natural Resource
Including prevention and control of soil erosion, conservation of wetland resources, natural resources accounting, establishment of monitoring network for ecology and the environment, reclanation of wastes and mine tailings, etc.
Priority 6 Environmental Pollution Control
Including waste water treatment and recycling, safe management of hazardous wastes and toxic chemicals, treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes, acid rain control etc.
Priority 7 Combating Poverty and Regional Development
Including poverty alleviation in the karst and loess areas, development of internationally interesting regions with big economic potential benefits, etc.
Priority 8 Population, Health and Human Settlements
Including sustainable development in various communities and demonstration projects, family planning, health care, disaster mitigation, etc.
Priority 9 Global Change and Biodiversity Conservation
Including global concerns such as climate change, conservation of biodiversity, prevention and control of desertification, etc.
For more information:
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