Riots and a ruined China inspire green revolution

West Australian
Thursday 18/9/2008 Page: 32

China is about to become the biggest investor in green energy to try to reverse the catastrophic effects of its industry on the environment. Last year, it spent $13.5 billion on renewable energy projects, slightly less than world leader Germany, and the Communist Party vowed to double it this year. Energy expert Li Junfeng, of the National Development and Reform Commission, said China already led in "overall scale of renewable energy development".

"The task is tough and our time is limited," Chinese President Hu Jintao said this year. "Government at all levels must give priority to emission reduction and bring the idea deep into people's hearts." Wu Changhua, from pro-business environmental organisation the Climate Group, said Beijing suddenly realised China needed a "new path" to prevent environmental disaster.

When she began lobbying 18 months ago, people asked what it was about but now there was "intense mainstream attention". "There are daily articles in the state media," she said. China's economic rise has blackened its cities, poisoned its water and ravaged the countryside. Last year, it overtook the US for carbon dioxide emissions and it has 16 of the world's 20 most polluted cities.

Tens of thousands of pollution inspired riots every year drill home the message and the Ministry of Public Security listed pollution among the top five threats to China's peace and stability. Its solution combines tough environmental laws, severe penalties for provincial governors who fail to clean up the mess and a thriving renewable energy market.

Its Goldwind wind turbine maker, the world's biggest, has had 100 per cent growth in each of the past eight years. China makes more solar panels that any other country and has pioneered a solar hot-water system used nationwide. Mr Li expects wind energy to compete with coal as early as 2015 for energy production. Presently, coal supplies 70 per cent of China's power but the target for wind energy was raised to 10GW by 2010 when the 5GW target was met three years early.

However, critics say China is not likely to produce more than 3 per cent of its power from wind in that time. Still, the Government has pledged that 15 per cent of its energy will be from renewable sources by 2020 with dire threats for state corporations chiefs who will be judged 60 per cent on environmental goals instead of growth.

Environment Minister Zhou Shengxian also warned 21 governors they would be accountable if major lakes and rivers were not cleaned up. In rural areas, surveyors measure precisely fertilisers, pesticides, animal excrement and sewage while more than 1000 "clean" villages are being developed which dispose of 90 per cent of waste sustainably. Critics say the initiatives fall well behind China's booming, power hungry industries.