Policy

As billions of spectators eagerly await the start of the Beijing Olympics today, China is keen to present a green side to the games.

Despite widespread concerns about air quality in Beijing and other host cities, the Chinese government has made significant efforts to make the games green, according to a report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The authorities have spent $17 billion on energy efficient and green measures, including the use of renewables, rainwater collection and reuse systems, energy efficient lighting and waste recycling at Olympic venues, as well as the much publicised efforts to reduce air pollution.

The UNEP report, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – An Environmental Review, gives a comprehensive assessment of the games’ green credentials. Innovations include:

• Solar-powered outdoor and street lighting in several venues including the Olympic Village;
• A 130 KW photovoltaic system lighting the National Stadium;
• Reclaimed water is being used for heating and cooling at the Olympic Village – saving 60% in electricity;
• Rainwater recapture system at the Olympic Media Village and a rainwater recycling system at the Bird’s Nest;
• 20% energy for Olympic venues from clean wind sources.

“Anybody who knows what the situation was like ten years ago in Beijing will clearly acknowledge that an enormous amount has been done,” says UNEP executive director Achim Steiner.

And China’s efforts on this front will not end with the Olympics. New legislation being drafted will stop fixed-asset projects – such as new roads or factories – that do not meet the country’s energy standards.

Ten regions, including Beijing, have already put the rule into pilot operation. If the regulation is approved and implemented across the country, the energy-saving potential and environmental impact of fixed-asset projects will have to be assessed by the government before they can go ahead.

“We are going to announce the draft regulation as soon as possible based on the experiences gained by the pilot regions,” said Xie Zhenhua, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The government already checks the energy efficiency and environmental implications of real estate, transport and government building projects, but it has set itself a tough target of a 4% cut in energy consumption per unit of GDP per year. To reach this goal, Chinese authorities will need to focus on enforcing the legislation across the country.

According to official figures, only around half of current construction projects are actually meeting the energy savings promised.

The new regulation could help China reach its ambitious energy efficiency, but only if the whole country implements it, says Xie.

For further information:
english.gov.cn/
en.ndrc.gov.cn/
www.unep.org/sport_env/Olympic_Games/Beijing_2008/index.asp#