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The People’s Republic of China Sarah Forsyth March 2, 2005 ES 338 Physical Aspects Divided into 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities Terrain: mountains, plateaus, deserts, deltas, hills, and plains Climate: ranges from tropical to sub artic Area: 9, 596, 960 square km (4th largest country) Population: 1,273,111,290 Economy Communist State High rate of growth GDP per capita: $3,600 (2000) GDP: 15% agriculture, 50% industry, 35% services In contrast the work force is: 50% agriculture, 24% industry, and 26% services Industries: coal, iron, steel, building machines, petroleum, cement, textiles, fertilizers, toys, automobiles, electronics Main Crops: wheat, rice, potatoes, sorghum Coal Electric Power: 79.8% fossil fuel, 18.98% hydropower, 1.2% nuclear power 1976 – 1995 use of coal increased from 69.9% to 78% while the amount of energy used from 1970 t0 1990 increased 208 times Currently emits second largest amount of carbon dioxide Predicted by 2020 to surpass the U.S. in the amount of CO2 emissions released Energy Use Inefficiencies China Boilers: 50-60% efficient Coal stoves: 10-15% efficient 80% of coal is unwashed (health problems) Developed Countries Boilers: 90% efficient Natural Gas stoves: 80-95% efficient Groups Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) State Development Planning Commission (SDPC) Ministry of Science and Technology National Climate Change Coordination Group (NCCCG) Environmental Awareness “Cultural Revolution” 1966 – 1977 1972 attended the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm Pollution became a large problem Build up from unregulated industry growth Air pollution, Water pollution, deforestation, desertification, soil erosion Ex: World Bank estimated air pollution caused 50$ billion per year in 1997 80’s and Early 90’s “Open Door” policy (1979-1989); particularly during the 80’s awareness in the scientific community arose regarding climate change 1987 PRC Academy of Sciences worked on a study w/ the US Department of Energy called “Global Climate Change Countermeasures: A Research Report of the Advisory Group” (published in 1991) Policies to create and negotiate climate change policy 1990 recession started – slowed new technology and efforts to use fuel more efficiently 1992 UNCED conference at Rio de Janeiro Framework Convention on Climate Change China’s concerns: • • • • Included uncertainties of climate change science Emphasis on the responsibility of Developed countries Sovereignty Technology transfer and funds for developing countries 1995 COP1 at Berlin Supported the “Berlin Mandate” Kyoto Protocol Felt that as a developing country should not have any emission regulations or any other requirements which might hurt economic growth Responsibility of developed countries Concentrated interest on “flexible mechanisms” Originally supported JI, but joined other developing countries to dispute CDM • China worried would give Developed countries and advantages because they could use the cheapest projects before developing countries needed to cut emissions China felt “flexible mechanisms” might allow developed countries to avoid the protocol’s regulations Ratified: August 30, 2002 Later Negotiations COP5 COP6 Higher support of “flexibility mechanisms” Suggested immediate start of CDM projects Benefits of “flexibility mechanisms” Became slightly more supportive of “flexibility mechanisms” Against the use of carbon sinks COP7 Refusal to commit to emissions regulations Allows for large technological and monetary gains Japan funds many JI projects Availability for CDM projects w/I the country: fuel switch, importing fuel from Russia, capturing coal-bed methane GEF (Global Environment Facility) funds technology transfer, energy efficiency, projects to reduce GHG emissions PRC receives a large portion of the funds 2001 received 17% of the total GEF funds Driving Forces Internal Pollution Problems: especially air and water (acid rain) IPCC indicates that climate change would hurt the country’s economy: new water problems, ecosystem damage, forestry and agriculture damage, increased flooding, coastal settlement damage Appears as a large threat since famines in recent history Already drought problems Policy “No Regrets” strategy Implement GHG limitations and fuel efficiency only if another benefit exists • Economy growth • Health benefits (respiratory diseases and lung cancer large problem in urban areas) Fuel switch • Funds allow for building some new nuclear plants and construction of Three Gorges Dam on Changjiang River • Very costly particularly in comparison to cheap price of coal Support of using natural gas and coal briquettes domestically to cut down on use of unwashed coal Investment in more efficient boilers in industry Pressures Driving Policy Three main points directing climate change policy Active role will allow the country to develop stronger relationships with developed countries and strengthen relationships w/ developing countries. • Hope that current leadership will lead to future power surrounding the interests of other developing countries Maintaining National Sovereignty • Ensure that China will not be under enforced CO2 emission regulations • Worry that such regulations would hurt the development of their economy Belief that Developed Countries are responsible for the majority of global warming and should take most of the burden of fixing the problem