Environmental Policy: GTZ is cooperating with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in the field of economic instruments to improve resource and energy efficiency. In addition to helping with numerous regulatory provisions of environmental law, GTZ’s new environmental policy advisory service program is evaluating the benefits of appropriate strategies for the implementation of market based instruments such as environmental taxes, subsidies, fees and trade allowances. The Ministry of Environmental protection (MEP) is being advised by GTZ in chemical management strategies such as the frame and effects of the European REACH system, as well as in developing  a new law for strategic environmental impact assessments. GTZ is also working closely with the highly regarded China Council, an advisory board to China’s State Council.

Energy Management: China’s energy consumption in absolute figures is increasing due to rapid economic growth and the country’s overall development. For the next decades, China’s energy supply has to rely on coal. At a political level GTZ is providing advisory service to Chinese partners such as the NDRC. Cooperation with energy producers aims at focusing on renewable energies to protect coal in natural deposits whilst utilising the resource in an efficient and environmentally friendly way. GTZ is also helping to provide off-grid electrical energy to people living in China’s countryside using renewable energy systems. Energy saving measures are currently being implemented in existing buildings with significant potential savings.

Natural Resources Management: China’s recent rapid economic growth has been achieved in part by an over exploitation of natural resources. For more than 20 years GTZ has been assisting China in achieving a better balance between economic progress, ecological stability and social equality via the implementation of sustainable development principles. This falls directly inline with the principles of sustainable resource management outlined in China’s 11th Five Year Plan. GTZ’s focus is on sustainable agriculture, food safety, forest management and biodiversity, water and soil conservation, avoiding climate change and the development of bio-energy resources.

Sustainable Urban Development: GTZ aims at strengthening a sustainable approach to China’s urban development; in ecological, social and economic terms. GTZ is providing advisory services to municipal governments regarding eco-cities and urban master plans to improve the co-ordination between environment, planning and other sectors. Through technical advice, GTZ supports integrated urban innovation including; urban transportation, water management, urban green planning and the preservation of historic city centres. China’s national government has recognised several program initiatives in GTZ’s partner cities of Changzhou and Yangzhou as innovative model solutions. Besides being accepted as a national “Eco-Demonstration City”, Yangzhou also won the UN Habitat Scroll of Honour Award in 2006 for its efforts in preserving the old city centre.

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• Programmes and projects