CA21 Update - Progress on China's
Agenda 21
CA21 Update No.7 August 20, 1996
Brief News
Sustainable Development Forum Held in Beijing
Sustainable Development Forum Held in Beijing
The Sustainable Development Forum sponsored by the Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21) was established in Beijing. The forum will focus the discussion on theory and application of sustainable development to promote the implementation of China's sustainable development strategy, occasionally inviting experts from related disciplines to participate. The first topics of China's Sustainable Development Forum was the Indicator, Indicator System and Evaluation Method on China's Sustainable Development, jointly sponsored by ACCA 21 and the Bureau for Harmonious Development of Nature and Society of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, held on 20 May, 1996. Over 70 experts and leaders from various ministries, commissions, research institutes, and universities attended this meeting. Academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences Huang Bingwei, Sun honglie, Ye Danian and Zhang Shen also delivered presentations at this meeting.
Representatives made key note speeches on the basic thinking regarding the task of designing the Indicator, Indicator System and Evaluation Method; Evaluation of Sustainable Development and the Indicator System; Problems to be solved when studying the Indicator System; Progress on International Study of the Indicator, Indicator System and Evaluation Method. Discussion followed after the keynote speeches. During the discussion, several academic questions were raised. For example, the concept and definition of sustainable development under Chinese conditions; the progress and comparison study of indicator system on sustainable development; regional difference and characteristics should be given attention when the indicator systems for China's sustainable development is established; how to determine the menu of indicators for China's sustainable development; when the framework for the indicator will be established, the existing indicators in China should be given attention, etc.
Energy Conservation and Clean Combustion Technology Workshop Held in Beijing
The Energy Conservation and Clean Combustion Technology workshop was held on May 27, 1996 in Beijing. This was the second forum dealing with China's Sustainable Development. Experts from ministries, commissions, colleges and universities, research institutes in China and foreign institutions such as ABB Co. Ltd., of Switzerland, Massachusetts Institute of Technology of USA and the University of Zurich, Switzerland presented papers at this meeting.
Representatives made speeches and discussions on pulverized coal combustion and pollutant control and measures, fluid-bed combustion technology, industrial boiler transformation and measures for reducing greenhouse gases, international support and management strategy for clean combustion of coal in China.
The representatives proposed to conduct a further investigation on the reason that technologies have been developed but can not be spread and effectively utilized, and how to enable Chinese township enterprises to adopt advanced technologies. Also under discussion was the utilization and transformation of large numbers of industrial boilers throughout China. It was proposed that a long term programme of research and development on large boilers for generating units should be formulated.
Soil Erosion Control in the Middle and Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River is Progressing Smoothly
The project of prevention and control of soil erosion and land degradation in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River has been listed in the Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21 (first tranche). Now under development are comprehensive plans for prevention and control of soil erosion based on small watersheds in 78 counties of 6 provinces. 33,000 square kilometres of drainage areas have been comprehensivelly improved and protected. 250,000 hectares of cultivated land has been reclaimed. 316,000 hectares of economically valuable forest and orchards have been planted, which greatly improved conditions for agricultural production in the affected areas. This is a solid foundation for sustainable agricultural, social and economic development.
In order to accelerate the implementation of this project, the Department of Water and Soil Conservation of the Ministry of Water Resources welcomes technical cooperation with related organizations and enterprises at home and abroad. (Dept. of water and soil conservation, MWR)
The Yellow River Delta Project Made Considerable Head-way
Development and Conservation in the Yellow River Delta has been assigned to the trans-century project. This is the first project initiated of those included in the Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21. The project has made considerable advancements since its implementation in March l995. Experts from home and abroad have conducted on-site investigations, data collection and analysis. Based on the stipulations of UNDP's project implementation process, UNDP, the Netherlands and China jointly convened a meeting in Jinan city, Shandong Province on April 4-5, 1996 on the evaluation of project implementation. Experts from home and abroad attending this meeting reached a common understanding on extending the draft of the final report, convening a meeting for selecting different plans and developing an agenda for an international symposium at the end of the project and arranging activities on mobilization of investment, etc.
On June 9-12, 1996, in Dongying city of Shandong province, a meeting for developing an agenda on the Yellow River Delta's sustainable development was held. Experts from home and abroad put forward many new viewpoints. New opinions were offered concerning distribution of industries, particularly the selection and establishment of foundation industries, which include the petrochemical industry, construction materials, etc.; the integration of the national decision making system and regional development plans; the conflict between economic development and environmental protection; better management in the conflict between river mouth exploitation and wetland conservation; water resource evaluation in the Yellow River Delta; jointly developing the petrochemical industry, agriculture, and the criteria of sustainable development. Taking sustainable development as a guide, the experts have conducted serious evaluations and screened various schemes for setting up a foundation for formulating programmes in the future.
Kazakhstan Government Sustainable Development Delegation visited China
Invited by The State Science and Technology Commission and headed by the first deputy minister of Environment and Bio-Resource Mr. Kanat Baishev, the Kazakhstan government delegation paid a friendly visit to China from 10 to 14 June, l996. The aim of the visit was to promote understanding of formulation and implementation of sustainable development strategy in China, sharing information on sustainable development and ecological and environmental protection areas from both sides and exploring possible cooperation for projects to be conducted in the future.
During their visit, Mr. Xu Guanhua, Vice-Chairman of State Science and Technology Commission, met with the delegation. The group visited and were informed about China's Agenda 21 and its priority programme, China's Environmental Protection Agenda 21 formulated by National Environment Protection Agency, the resource and environment data base of the Institute of Remote Sensing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the implementation of China's Agenda 21 in Beijing city, and the Liuminying Ecology Farm in Daxing county, Beijing city.
Before they returned home, the head of the delegation asserted that much valuable experience was gained as a result of this visit. Kazakhstan is preparing to formulate a national sustainable development strategy and policies and action plans of environmental protection in the future. The visitors said they hope to strengthen the cooperation between China and Kazakhstan.(Huang Jing)
CECSD National Workshop for Sustainable Development Practices Held in Beijing
The China Experimental Community for Sustainable Development (CECSD) held a national workshop for Sustainable Development practices from 24-28 June l996 in Beijing to enrich the theory, master information and exchange ideas and experiences. More than 110 attendees came from 22 CECSD. Persons in charge of CECSD from science and technology commissions in various provinces, cities and counties participated in this workshop.
The contents of the workshop were as follows: national conditions and sustainable development; sustainable development theory and China's Agenda 21; science and technology guides for social development; sustainable development and city planning and construction; implementing the Ninth Five Year Plan of social development, and promoting the overall social development in China; comprehensive utilization and conservation of resources; brief introduction on China's environmental management regulations; aproaching cleaner production; the problems and solutions China faces with regard to sustainable development in agriculture; ISO 14000 environment management standard; environmental and ecological protection and a rational way to develop and utilize resources; international cooperation on sustainable development; the selection of key areas for sustainable development activities of CECSD; brief introduction of demonstration projects, etc.
During the workshop period participants exchanged experiences. The management office of CECSD presented the work plan for each of the CECSD communities. After the workshop, each CECSD will begin immediately to formulate their own sustainable development action programme.
Experts and leaders from the State Science and Technology Commission, the State Planning Commission, the State Reconstruction Commission, the State Economic and Trade Commission, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Construction, National Environmental Protection Agency, National Technology Supervision Agency attended the meeting and gave their presentations.
Incorporating Integrated Resources and Environment Accounting into National Economic Accounting System
China's Agenda 21 requires the integration of evnironmental accounting into the national accounting system. These requirements are specified in the Study and Incorporation of Integrated Resources and Environmental Accounting Integrated with the National Economic Accounting System. The State Statistic Bureau established a new Division of Accounting on National Assets, Resources and Environment in the Department of National Economy Accounting. The Bureau has decided that a preliminary accounting of resources and environment should be introducted into China's new national economic accounting system during the Ninth Five Year period.
The preliminary plans are as follows: to take the New National Economic Accounting system as the framework and relate it to a satellite account of the Environment and Economy Comprehensive Accounting Programme of the 1993 United Nations System of National Economy Accounting (SNA); cooperate with the ministries concerned, develop pilot schemes and trial calculations in some regions and ministries which will establish a basic framework for a comprehensive economy and resource environment accounting system suitable for the operational characteristics of China's economy; conduct a comprehensive physical and value accounting of forest, mining and land resources and study and account for interrelated ecological environmental quality protection and exploitation; formulate and develop:
(1) basic tables in physical terms of accounting for natural resource and environment;
(2) basics tables in value terms for accounting on natural resource and environment;
(3) interrelated account and basic tables integrated with the national economy accounting system; and
(4) pre-calculate the gross domestic product corrected by resource and environmental accounting to reflect the process of China's social reproduction and its interdependent and interactive relations with resources and environment.
This will provide scientific, systematic and overall basic data for governments at different levels conducting macro-scopic management and readjustment and promoting sustainable development of the national economy. (Dept. of National Economic Accounting, SSB)
Cleaner Production in the Electroplate Industry
The Mouping District Lock Making General Factory in Yantai city, Shandong Province successfully built a micro computer controlled emission-free automatic electroplating production line in 1993. This produc- tion line is based on the emission-free theory and the principle of reduplication. A closed loop recycling system uses the electroplating waste water in the intermittent countercurrent rinsing technology.
The operation of this system using an overhead travelling crane controlled by a micro-computer, enables the workers to be separated from a poisonous adverse working environment, and guarantees personnel health and safety. Owing to the adoption of emission-free technology, there is no emission or micro emission ( escaping, oozing, dripping or leaking effluents) during the rinsing process, eliminating the pollution sources. The ratio of qualified products on the first test run increased from 90% to more than 95%, simultaneously changing the rinsing pattern for electroplated parts and the use of continuous running water, reducing water consumption from 2,000 tons per month to 40 tons per month, saving 98% of water consumption. (Dong Shaokun, Zhang Fuhai)
Geology Should Serve for Sustainable Development
Mr. Song Ruixiang, Minister of Geology and Mining, chairman of the 30th International Geology Conference, stated that the development of modern geological science should stand on the high plateau of promoting sustainable development, extending its vision from merely discovering mining opportunities to dealing with the social consequences of their activities, from exploring and developing resources to resolving the regional environmental and social problems on a global scale. In the future, the task of geological science should not only study the nature of the evolutionary process of the earth, but also the problems of coordinating the relations of man and nature, studying and developing theories and practical solutions for social progress and sustainable economic development.
By attending the academic sessions of the 30th International Geology Conference, journalists were able to understand that the realization of sustainable development has become an issue of fundamental importance to many geologists. A vast amount of exploration on global issues was conducted, including protection of ecology and the prevention and control of natural disasters, enabling the geological sciences to transcend the traditional scale and to march forward to new research areas.(Chen Zengjun, Jing Feng, Economy Daily )
59 Marine Natural Reserves Were Set Up in China
At present, 59 natural marine reserves have been set up in China, a conservation area covering 12,900 square km. These natural reserves have effectively protected and controlled the deterioration of a wide array of marine resources, the environment and marine organisms. Hereafter, the natural marine reserves will continuously reflect the various maritime features and characteristics: maritime area, river mouth, gulf, island, lagoon, mangrove bogs, coral reefs, geological historical remains, and natural landscapes. Up to the year 2000, a total of approximately 80 natural reserves will be established.(Li Bin, Chinese Science News)
Editor's postscript
CA21 Update is a bulletin issued by ACCA21 to report progress on CA21 implementation; important initiatives on strategies, policies, measures, and action plans for sustainable development; and international cooperation on the implementation of CA21 to the domestic and international communities.
We welcome responses from our readers. If you have proposals, questions, or comments, please contact with the editorial department of ACCA21 by letter or fax.
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Agenda 21
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