Chapter 11 Low-carbon Logistics: Forging a Green Supply Chain
Logistical Delivery in the Era of the Internet
COSCO: Information Shoring Up Green Logistics
Green Warehouses
Campaigns to Reduce Energy Consumption
Container-turned Dormitories
Chapter 12 Energy Consumption in the Low-carbon Era
LED Illumination in Public and Business Areas
Clean and Intelligent Way of Energy Transmission
Wind Power: Weapon against Carbon
Nuclear Power: From Moderate to Positive Development
Solar Energy: World’s No. 1 Source
Biomass Energy: Organic Fuel and Power
Oceanic Energy: Surfing on the Low-carbon Tide
State Goal: Consumption of Non-fossil Energies to 15% by 2020
Chapter 13 Industry in the Low-carbon Era
The Government: Restructuring against Global Financial Crisis
To Whom Have the Loans Gone?
Low-carbon Industries: Target of Venture Capital
Sharp-nosed Businesspeople
Energy-saving Innovation of Traditional Enterprises
Low-carbon Industries Providing Opportunities
Chapter 14 Low Carbon, BetterCity
Mentougou District: Building a Low-carbon Residential Model
Green Transport in Cities
Charging Stations
Clean Energy Indicating the Orientation of the Chinese Government
Green Buildings: Energy Saving from Construction to Operation
Looking for a Sustainable Road in Dynamic Development
City Management: Low-carbon Practices in Details
Chapter 15 Low-carbon Efforts in Building a New Countryside
Low-carbon Countryside: Heheng and Guantao Models
Energy Conservation and Conservation Tillage
Alternative to Straw Burning
Regional Agricultural Circulation Model
Chapter 16 Forest and Carbon Sink: Entrust Others to Plant Trees for Us
China Taking the Lead inForest-based Carbon Sink Project
Carbon Fund Purchases and Carbon Offset Car Stickers
Tree Planters Benefiting from Forest-based Carbon Sink Compensation
Wenzhou, the First Regional Carbon Fund Promoted by Local People
Carbon Offset by Individuals and Enterprises
Chapter 17 Carbon Finance and Carbon Exchange: A Glimpse into the Future
China’s Banks Saying “No” to High-carbon Projects
China’s Localities Busy Setting Up Carbon Exchanges
Chinese Enterprises Setting Up Domestic “Carbon Agencies”
“Panda Standard” Propelling China’s Self-dependent Carbon Trading System
China’s First Carbon Exchange Route Map
Chapter 18 The Earth Is Feverish: What Will Happen to China?
Extreme Climate Disasters Increasing
Plateaus and Glaciers Are Weeping
Rise of the Sea Level
Climate Change Threatening Food Supply
Big Challenge for China
Chapter 19 Sustainable Development: China’s Low-carbon Development Concept
Increased Investment in the Green Economy
China’s Response to Climate Change
China’s Contribution
China’s Stand
Transforming the Economic Development Pattern: A Decision Put into Action
Chapter 20 Legal Steps to Promote Low-carbon Development
“Low-carbon Economy” Top of 2010’s Agenda
Establishing a Complete Green Legal System
Importance Attached to Low-carbon Legislation
Local Legislation Concerning Ecological Conservation
Chapter 21 The Future of Low Carbon
Clean Energy for Development
Green, Low-carbon and Circular Economy
Science and Technology Promoting Green Development
Transforming the Economic Development Pattern
Responsibility · Cooperation · Mutual Benefit
Acknowledgement
References
Preface
Low-carbon Lifestyle: First and Only Choice of the Chinese People
At the end of 2009 the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen made that city a familiar name to most Chinese people, even those who had never been out of their country. Almost overnight, ordinary Chinese became aware of a new concept – “low carbon.” Global warming, submergence of land and mankind’s survival: these topics suddenly came closer to the Chinese people, and even housewives and schoolchildren found these matters related to their lifestyles. Moreover, these concerns caused fear among ordinary people, more than the movie 2012 caused. Nevertheless, the Chinese people assumed a sense of responsibility for doing whatever they could to save the earth and mankind.
In a very short time, the “low carbon” wave swept over China. From south to north, from urban to rural areas, the Chinese, housewives or white-collars, are discussing whether their lifestyle is low-carbon. To buttress their argument, many go out to enjoy the cool air instead of staying in air-conditioned rooms in summer.
Canny business people have adopted low-carbon-related slogans, including questionable ones relating to “low-carbon” clothes, food, houses and hotels… Most business people have cut the costs of their products or services (while raising their prices) on the excuse of energy conservation and emission reduction, and it is always consumers who pay the bill.
Some people claim that the “low carbon” slogan is an empty one. In the 1960s and 1970s what people worried about seemed to be global cooling. And a survey shows that by June 2010 more books had been published on global cooling than on global warming. Some countries and some people raise global warming as a hot issue in their own interests, as it allows them to propose to set limits to the economic growth of developing countries. The well-known “Glacier Swindle” makes me doubt the motive of those who advocate a “low-carbon economy.” A few years ago, some people were keen on discussing the hole in the ozone layer; in the past two years, it has died away as a topic of concern, as some developed countries stop making freon refrigerators. In fact, environmental protection topics of concern change quickly. Some conclusions are not based on sound statistics.
The “low carbon” topic has revealed some greedy, narrow-minded and cunning people. The stages on which they appear are certainly different: some are backed by a superpower, some are backed by considerable capital; some are just living rooms, vegetable plots, kitchens…
Anyway, the Chinese people are fanatical followers of the low-carbon lifestyle. Although China’s economy is developing rapidly, its people’s lifestyle is not so affluent. China’s per capita income ranks below 100th worldwide; many people still lead a frugal life: they do not go sightseeing very often; they save money on food and health expense…
The per capita income in Beijing ranks top among Chinese cities. But let’s look at the true picture. From July 1, 2010, the monthly per capita subsistence allowance granted to urban residents has been increased from 410 yuan to 430 yuan (about US$64), while the yearly amount for rural residents has been increased from 2040 to 2520 yuan (about US$31.3 a month). [1] A certain number of Beijingers, though not many, live on subsidies.
“China has 150 million people each with an income below the UN poverty line of US$1 per day. This is the reality in China; that is, China is still a developing country, with its per capita income trailing behind the 100th place in the world and a large population below the poverty line,” according to Yao Jian, spokesman of China’s Ministry of Commerce, on August 17, 2010. Even though the Chinese poverty line is 1,300 yuan annually per capita, there are over 40 million people below that line. [2]
For ordinary Chinese, a low-carbon lifestyle can enable them to save money as well as shoulder their responsibility for mankind. They can lead a decent lifestyle with honor, and be quite happy.
Top Chinese leaders are enthusiastic promoters of low-carbon lifestyle. Here，or even a low-carbon economy; but we do not want to evade such topics, nor can we. As Premier Wen Jiabao said, “The population of China – 1.3 billion – is huge. Any cause for concern, no matter how trivial, multiplied by 1.3 billion will become a big problem; and conversely, any economic aggregate divided by 1.3 billion will become a tiny number.” For China, with a population of 1.3 billion, the first problem is food, then transport, housing, education, employment… If China cannot do a good job of conserving energy resources and protecting the environment, it cannot solve these problems.
Some Chinese like to say that China is strong, and is among the front runners of economic development. However, most Chinese do not agree. President Hu Jintao once said, “Although China is among the front runners in the world in economic aggregate, its per capita GDP trails behind the 100th place. China is still the largest developing country. Its population accounts for one fifth of the world’s total. The urban-rural discrepancy and regional imbalance are serious developmental issues. There are many difficulties awaiting solution, and China’s road to modernization will be a long one.” China’s top leaders understand the reality, but some officials do not. These officials tend to exaggerate their achievements, and usually overlook the long-term development of the country and the people’s interests. For this reason Chinese leaders are worried about how to solve the country’s pressing problems. It is an arduous task to develop China, and the road is long.
China will fulfill its duty in energy conservation and emissions reduction, but the country still needs to develop. Most of my friends are faithful followers of the low-carbon lifestyle; but, having been “mortgage slaves” for many years, they also want to buy an economical car when they have enough money, so that it will be convenient when their parents visit from their rural homes. But the lifestyle of their parents may be more “low-carbon,” as most of them have never been 50 km away from home. So what should my friends do? Give up buying a car and help prevent global warming, or buy one and satisfy their spouses’ wish? Such a choice is hard to imagine for those who go to Paris and New York on shopping sprees, carry an LV handbag, drive a Mercedes-Benz or BMW, live in a villa with central air-conditioning, while abstaining from eating meat, and talking about a low-carbon lifestyle. They are certainly Chinese, or used to be. But they have no common language, or even common interests, with ordinary Chinese.
The situation of China is similar to that for most families.
Advocating a low-carbon lifestyle and developing a low-carbon economy are in line with China’s need for national development, and also its duty as a responsible developing country. History has proved time and again that China has always taken its global responsibilities seriously. To keep on this track, it is making sacrifices in the course of its development while taking an active part in international negotiations on carbon-emission reduction. China has put forth its view on sustainable development, and proposed to build an environmentally-friendly and energy-conserving society. The reality is that China has a large population, and consequently will have a large population in future generations. Thus China is greatly affected by climate and environmental changes. However, China will never develop at the expense of destroying the environment and sacrificing its posterity. China will make its due contribution to the fight against global climate change.
A low-carbon China is quite possible. The information in this book shows that the low-carbon lifestyle of the Chinese people is simple. The Chinese people pose no pressure or threat to others, but set strict demands on themselves. They live such a lifestyle without any driving force from outside, but on their own initiative. They never stand aloof on moral principles and pressure or judge others for some ulterior motive. They are not extremists, nor hypocrites who sell products and ideas in the name of environmental protection.
