China's environmental strains spark warning
November 16th, 2010 | Xinhua
China is placed at a crossroad in terms of its sustainable development
as its huge and increasing demand for resources, amid its fast-paced
urbanization, have been outpacing what its ecological system can
provide, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said in a report Monday.
"The average Ecological Footprint per capita in China has recently
crossed the threshold that is considered sustainable on an average
global level," James Leape, director general of WWF International, said
at the issuance of the report �China Ecological Footprint Report 2010."
Changing lifestyles and migration to cities associated with new economic
opportunities are contributing to the increasing demand for resources
and mounting impact on the natural environment, he said.
The report said the per capita Ecological Footprint of the average
Chinese was 2.2 global hectares (gha) in 2007, higher than the available
biological capacity per capita at 1.8 gha. However, this figure was
lower than the global average level of 2.7 gha.
The Ecological Footprint measures whether a country, region or the world
as a whole is living within its ecological means.
A world consuming resources and producing wastes at Chinese levels for
2007 would need the equivalent of 1.2 planets to support its activities,
compared to 0.8 of a planet at 2003 Chinese consumption levels, the
report said. It added that if global consumption patterns were the same
as in the U.S., it would require 4.5 Earths to meet resource needs.
Further, the report said changes in individual consumption patterns have
overtaken population to become the principal driver in the growth of
China's total Ecological Footprint.
Today, China is at a stage of its rapid urbanization, with 46.6 percent
of its 13 billion people living in urban areas by the end of 2009.
The findings also showed that in 2007 the carbon footprint accounted for
54 percent of China�s Ecological Footprint. Household consumption data
indicated that demand for buildings, transportation, goods and provision
of public services are the major drivers of growth in the carbon footprint.
The challenge facing China today is that of decoupling economic
development from growth in its Ecological Footprint, while leaving space
for nature, the report said.
"Due to rapid social and economic development in recent years,
environmental issues are increasingly becoming a bottleneck for future
economic growth," said Zhu Guangyao, Secretary General of the China
Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development.
"The next twenty years will be critical for China to realize sustainable
development," he said.
The report "tells us that to achieve its goal of a harmonious society,
China must find ways to grow its economy while protecting the natural
systems," James Leape said.
China has introduced a group of measures on energy-saving and emission
cuts, including shutting down outdated industrial capacity and limiting
exports of energy-intensive and high polluting products.
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said on Nov. 12 that China would
accelerate economic restructuring and pursue a low-cost and sustainable
development path featuring low carbon emissions. The government will
also continue its efforts to save natural resources and protect the
environment.
Further, Gao Guangsheng, an official with the National Development and
Reform Commission, said on Nov. 11 that a significant reduction in
energy consumption intensity and carbon emissions intensity is likely to
be a binding goal in China�s new five-year development program.
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