China’s Environment: Domestic Challenges and Regional Implications Stephanie B. Ohshita Assistant Professor, Dept. of Environmental Science University

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

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Image Source: Centre for Environmentally Sound Technology Transfer.

Impacts: Water - Shortage and Pollution



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



Image Sources: The Guardian, BBC News, True Health.





Impacts: 25% of China’s Land Becoming Desert



Image Sourcse: BBC News, New York Times, World Bank.







Regional Impacts:How Much Does China’s Pollution Affect Its Neighbors?



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)

<-- kuai -->

<-- tia

o -->

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



Opportunities for Cooperation













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



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.

Documents

China’s Environment: Domestic Challenges and Regional Implications Stephanie B. Ohshita Assistant Professor, Dept. of Environmental Science University