AsiaNews
January 29, 2007

Beijing: In 2006 China ranked 100th of 118 countries in terms of environmental protection, the same as three years earlier, this according to a joint report by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and mainland universities. The China Modernisation Report 2007 says that China is the second largest source of green house gases after the United States. But as the economy grew by leaps and bounds, no improvements have been registered in reducing carbon dioxide emissions (cause of acid rains), in improving effluent treatment and guaranteeing drinking water protection. The mainland was no better off than at the time of the last report three years ago. … Although Beijing is investing in alternative energies it is expected that they won¬êt cover more than 15 per cent of the demand by 2020. Moreover, these sources will be largely represented by hydro-electric plants which have themselves tremendous environmental costs on rivers and related natural resources. … The report suggests that the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) should be strengthened and be given department-level powers and resources so that it can intervene, especially against local governments who tend to privilege economic development over environmental protection. … Read the full story [PDF].