SCMP
Shi Jiangtao
Government reluctance to immediately change monitoring methods reinforces criticism it cannot face up to the grim truth of the urban environment.
The mainland’s top environmental watchdog has finally unveiled a timetable for long-awaited reform of outdated air pollution standards amid mounting public pressure.
But instead of directly answering calls for immediate public acces …
SCMP
Shi Jiangtao
“An incomplete calculation of the environmental costs in 2008 showed that pollution caused nearly 900 billion yuan (HK$1.05 trillion) in economic losses, or 3 per cent of that year’s gross domestic product, according to the study, which was previously known as the Green GDP Project.” (Now called the Research Project on Nationwide Environmental-Economic Accounting.)
“The findin …
Jin Zhu
China Daily
“China plans to introduce ambitious new targets for the reduction of major pollutants in the upcoming 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) as the nation strives to realize its green goals, a senior official said.”
China realized its air pollutant SO2 reduction goal of 10% one year ahead of schedule. However, the economic recovery in 2010 has made it difficult for the government to a …