China

The China Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) study was developed to meet the following needs for China: 1) there is a need for China's academic and consultant institutions... Show More + to develop a better understanding of CDM methodologies and how to prepare better applications for CDM projects based on China's real circumstances; 2) at the micro level, there is a need for China's project participants (public and private sectors) to learn how to identify, develop, and implement an eligible CDM project in the whole project cycle. A practical way to meet the need is 'learning by doing' through CDM project case studies; and 3) at the macro level, there is a need for China's policymakers to know the potential demand for Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) in the world carbon trade market, as well as price trends. In order to formulate appropriate CDM strategy and policy for China, they also need to know the least-cost CERs/CDM supply potential and priority areas by technology and sector in China, as well as their policy implications and the impact of CDM on China's economy. Show Less -

This study, and the associated technical assistance project, has three main objectives. The first is to help localities in China address several questions related to... Show More + the planning, and implementation of SO2 emissions, and acid rain control: What are the environmental consequences, specifically for localities of different pollution control strategies, in terms of the impacts on human health, agricultural productivity, and other sectors and activities? What are the relative costs of different sulfur emission reduction plans? Will the proposed strategies enable localities to meet the environmental targets set by the central government? The second objective is to assist with capacity building, and training in China. to enable cities and regions to carry out environmental, and economic analyses of sulfur emission impacts, and control programs. The third objective is to provide a forum for discussion with the central government, primarily the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), on the results of the case studies, and the implications for national policy with respect to sulfur control. This study analyzes China's national sulfur pollution control program, looking at local implementation plans, and actions for reducing sulfur emissions in two municipalities- Shijiazhuang and Changsha. The city of Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province was chosen for a case study on ambient SO2 pollution control, representing a northern Chinese city, while the tri-city region of Changsha, Zhuzhou, and Xiangtan in Hunan Province, was chosen to represent a southern area experiencing serious levels of acid rain. The clear divide between northern and southern cities and regions, indicate that emission control efforts in the north will benefit from access to significant quantities of low sulfur coal, the lack of which in the south, will significantly increase the cost of sulfur emission control. Other findings suggest that gaining a better scientific understanding of the impacts of sulfur emissions, and improving estimates of the relative benefits of different control options, are two important pieces of information for leveraging local implementation efforts. While promoting policies with multiple benefits, is an effective way of cutting sulfur pollution without reliance on regulatory policies, or institutions. Show Less -

This article sums up the report reviewing the Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects, combining approaches to remove supply-side and demand-side barriers to markets... Show More + for energy-efficient products. Supply-side strategies include provision of technical assistance (TA) and know-how transfer to manufacturers to upgrade product designs, through standards, and regulations; and piloting new distribution mechanisms through retailers and electric utilities - providing financial incentives and financing manufacturing upgrades. Demand-side strategies include educating consumers and professionals about the costs and benefits of energy-efficient technology. Individual projects in the portfolio suggest that demand-side management (DSM) programs can deliver large numbers of compact fluorescent lamps; that distribution through utility offices and consumer on-the-bill credit is feasible; that bulk procurement can lower retail costs; and that large programs can spur replication by attracting attention of policymakers and utility managers. Programs oriented towards the private sector have also been effective at transforming markets. Recommendations include appropriate supply and demand sides of a market, and taking a holistic view of market forces. Moreover, flexibility should be built into program design, so that activities can be responsive to rapid, changing market dynamics, considering workable TA, and technical know-how transfers. Most importantly, monitoring and evaluation should be in place early on, to measure pre-program baselines. Show Less -

The present report builds on previous efforts directed toward reform of the oil and gas sector and focuses on the implementation of a regulatory framework for the downstream... Show More + natural gas sector, in particular on the economic regulation of the sector. It explains the need for regulation, describes the institution that is needed to implement it, explains the principles and techniques that should be applied, and proposes changes for the transition toward modern regulation, as well as changes in the regulation of gas commodity prices. Show Less -

Analysts expect China to continue improving the efficiency of energy production and use, thereby decoupling the traditional relationship between gross domestic product... Show More + (GDP) and energy consumption. Environmentally acceptable economic growth is closely linked with further improvements in the overall efficiency of energy use. Both of these goals will require a continued increase in the use of coal to produce electricity, along with a more deliberate and rapid transition from direct coal combustion to the use of electricity and other cleaner coal-based fuel sources, especially for cooking, space heating, and industrial furnaces. The opportunity for environmental improvement in conjunction with economic growth lies in the wise adoption of clean coal technologies (CCT) for both the electric power and non-power sectors. This report presents CCT options for the power sector that can help China achieve these twin goals. The CCT options are: 1) air pollution controls for particulates, sulphur dioxide, and nitrous oxide; and 2) advanced electricity generation technologies--supercritical pulverized-coal boilers, atmospheric and pressurized fluidized-bed combustors, and integrated gasification combined cycle plants. Volume 1 of this report explains the project costing methodology and the electric power CCT options. Volume 2 summarizes the development and technology assessment of clean coal technologies for the non-power sector in China. Show Less -

Over the past two decades, China's power sector has grown rapidly to become the second largest in the world. This tremendous growth is the result of far reaching reforms... Show More + that have transformed the centrally and administratively run government department of the early 1980s into corporatized and business oriented power companies at the national, regional and provincial level. Nevertheless, the sector faces both structural and operational problems which, if not resolved, will jeopardize the hard-won progress. Some examples of today's problems are: increasing power prices due to untapped efficiency and inter-provincial and interregional trade potential; discrimination between generators due to monopoly and monopoly powers; and unnecessary impacts on the environment due to the proliferation of small and highly polluting units. The demands of the growing economy and the needs of Chinese citizens must be met at affordable prices. The Chinese government has therefore decided to accelerate and deepen its reforms with the objective of fostering competition and ensuring environmentally sustainable development of the sector. The State Council has entrusted the State Development and Planning Commission (SDPC) to explore options to move forward with a new wave of reforms. As part of a wide consultation, SDPC organized a workshop on October 9-10, 2000 to discuss issues and problems facing the power sector and options to address them in light of both domestic and international experience. This report presents: (a) a narrative summary of the presentations and discussions held during the workshop; (b) two annexes summarizing the results and lessons learned from power sector reform in U.K. and Australia; (c) three working papers summarizing the discussions of an expert meeting held on October 11, 2000 dealing with market size, transmission and new and old plants issues; and (d) a paper summarizing the preliminary results of the Restructuring and Economic Regulatory Assistance Project sponsored by the Energy Foundation. Show Less -

While vehicular air pollution is common to growing metropolitan areas throughout the world, it is particularly severe in South Asia, where about half of all vehicles... Show More + are two- and three-wheel vehicles with two-stroke engines. This report analyzes different technical and policy options for reducing emissions from two-stroke engines. Precisely because two-stroke engine vehicles are so numerous and popular, a policy decision to address emissions from these vehicles must take into account the socioeconomic consequences of such a decision. While a large-scale immediate ban on gasoline-powered two-stroke engine vehicles would be extremely difficult and costly, numerous small and cost-effective improvements are available. Two immediate simple solutions-using the correct type and concentration of lubricant and carrying out regular maintenance-would significantly reduce emissions from two-stroke engines while saving drivers money and ultimately improving air quality. Promoting these "win-win" measures requires building public awareness by disseminating information on the health impact of emissions; the types of engines, fuel, and lubricant that reduce emissions; the importance of regular maintenance; and the advantages and disadvantages of various measures for mitigating air pollution. Partnerships among government, industry, and the public will continue to be crucial to bring about the changes required to achieve air quality goals. Show Less -

Among the key external effects of fossil fuel contribution are urban air pollution, and changes in global climate. A study of six cities in developing countries, and... Show More + transition economies estimates the magnitude of these effects, and, examines how various fuels, and pollution sources contribute to health damages, and other environmental costs. The study develops a simple, but robust method for rapid assessment of these damages. By linking the damage to a particular fuel use, or pollution source, the method makes possible cost-benefit analysis of pollution abatement measures. The findings show very high levels of environmental damage, and reveal large sectoral differences. By far the greatest share of the total damage, is that to human health, from exposure to ambient particulates, caused mainly by small pollution sources, such as vehicles, and household stoves. Large industries, and power plants account for a smaller proportion of health damage, but are the major contributors to carbon dioxide emissions, which have an impact on global climate. The complex relationships between pollution sources, and environmental effects, highlight the need for a skillful mix of policy instruments, built on rigorous analysis. The damage assessment method proposed herein, provides a useful analytical tool, to be easily applied to other urban areas. Show Less -

From 1990 to 1999 there were 700 energy projects in developing countries involving private participation. Investment in these projects totaled nearly US$190 billion,... Show More + and foreign capital was a major source of funds. Global developers were the top ten sponsors of private energy projects in developing countries. Their projects accounted for just over a third of total investment. This Note surveys the trends by region, by country income level, and by type of project. It also explores the consequences of the recent Asian financial crisis for future investment in Asian energy markets. Show Less -

This paper discusses issues and problems related to private sector involvement in China's power section in two parts. The first part consists of a summary of the conference... Show More + held in Beijing June 22-23, 1999. It stresses that, despite the problems encountered and the impact of the Asian economic and financial crisis, China's power sector remains attractive to investors because of its size, growth potential, and the improving business and regulatory environments. The discussion highlighted the need for more transparency in the approval proves as well as improving creditworthiness of power offtakers. The second part, a paper on private power development in China, assesses the current status and future prospects of private sector involvement in China's power sector. It outlines the key characteristics and indicates some future developments for the different forms of private sector participation that have emerged and developed since the early 1980s. It finally provides a review of some concerns voiced by investors and a preliminary assessment of their impact on future investments. Show Less -