Z HEJIANG P ROVINCE & C LEANER P RODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

In 2003 the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China approved the first ever nation wide Cleaner Production Promotion Law (See CP Promotion Law ), effectively making Cleaner Production a fundamental component of the movement to improve environmental standards in China. In Zhejiang province, the following constituents are involved in the CP process.

Constituents and Objectives

Provincial Authorities : the Economic and Trade Commission (ZETC) and the Environmental Protection Bureau (ZEPB)

OBJECTIVES:

-Set up Cleaner Production Auditing Organizations and Launch Pilot Projects.

-Issue policies and regulations to ensure the activities of enterprises are in accordance with national standards.

Intermediary Agencies : Zhejiang Cleaner Production Center and other Auditing Organizations

OBJECTIVES:

-Perform CP Audits and on-site training for workers.

-Introduce companies to the benefits of CP, including financial support and more circular economy.

-Bring experts to specialized industries to implement the best available techniques of hazardous waste management, waste reduction, and energy and water saving,

Target Industries :

1) Any enterprise with contamination discharge levels exceeding amounts set by local or national standards.

2) Any enterprise that uses or discharges toxic raw materials in production.

OBJECTIVES:

-Comply with environmental standards set by the PRC.

POLICY & IMPLEMENTATION

Preventative Policy

Businesses that emit serious amounts of pollution, implement unauthorized production plans, or simply use illegal production methods are identified and publicly exposed by the government. Companies may be forced to shut down or reform methods that are deemed harmful to the environment. Lists of violators are printed in local newspapers.

Info from 2004 Eco-Province Development Report:

- 33 companies exposed as having serious pollution problems and ordered to reform by a certain date.

-746 companies declared environmentally illegal.

-The City of Yongkang completely banned all smelting activities.

-Changxing County closed 117 businesses that produced high levels of lead battery acid, and selected 58 businesses to undergo mandatory reforms.

Although some companies do not have glaring problems in production processes, many still have improvements to make in the areas of energy efficiency and economizing resources. In order to inform and reform these businesses, the government has set the goal of executing CP pilot audits at 500 enterprises before 2007. In 2004 78 companies completed CP Audits (<link>). The 201 enterprises selected for 2005 pilot audits are listed at the following site:

www.zjjmw.gov.cn/150501/151636.htm

Incentive Policy

For companies that already use eco-friendly production methods, the government has created the title of “Green Enterprise.” Green Enterprise businesses demonstrate efficacy in saving energy and water, reducing waste, and implementing new and efficient technology on the production line. All companies that seek Green Enterprise status undergo a series of government-run investigations. The title carries with it financial and recognition benefits. Companies in Zhejiang that have been awarded “Green Enterprise” status are listed on the following page.

www.zjep.gov.cn/jy/list.asp?pagenum=1&category=25&record=326

CURRENT PROJECTS

Construction of Eco Province

The government also assumes responsibility for making a Greener Zhejiang. Projects include:

-The “811” Environmental Pollution Initiative – aims to have a basic control over environmental pollution and damaged ecologies by 2007.

-Planning for Eco-industrial parks, such as the new Quzhou Industrial park in Southwest Zhejiang.

-New treatment plants: 27 new sewage treatment plants opened, 7 new solid waste management plants opened in 2004.

-Expansion of Green districts. In 2004, cities in Zhejiang converted a total of 1000 hectares of land into green districts. New forested areas totaled 352000 square km, and 4714 km of public Green highways were completed last year.

WEEE: Waste Electronic and Electric Equipment

•  Design of a Model e-Waste Management System in Zhejiang Province

•  the design of an optimal provincial e-waste management system from scratch, taking into account international know-how and experiences as well as existing national legislation, attitudes and market constraints. As a result a model e-waste management system for Chinese cities shall be worked out and be submitted to a representative of the Central Government.

•  The project is designed to support both the leading authorities at the national level and the responsible units at the provincial level in their endeavours to establish the legislative framework for adequate systems and structures that will enable the sustainable management of WEEE in China.

*Formal cooperation agreements will be signed between these partner institutions and SECO.

SITUATION AND CHALLENGES

-Shortage of CP Awareness – Many enterprises simply do not know of the long-term benefits of CP. They don't care about environmental protection and ignore CP benefits.

- Monitoring Environment – The government alone cannot monitor the activities of every enterprise within Zhejiang. Many companies that violate regulations go undiscovered until an audit is performed.

-Public concern very low – Many citizens endure a polluted environment because they do not know how to seek regulatory support or don't care. Public participation is necessary.

-Inconsistent Law Implementation - Laws in Zhejiang Province are implemented differently in regions with greater/lesser economic success. Poor areas often ignore environmental policy only to focus on economic development.

-Corporate Ambitions – Most corporations are only focused on extending production, rather than increasing production efficiency. Greater demand for resources is seen as inevitable. Despite the apparent benefits, CP is usually misunderstood as a waste of time.

CONSULTANCY SERVICES

ISO 14000 ACCREDITATION : China's official ISO accreditation agencies are listed at the following site.

http://www.iso.org/iso/en/info/ISODirectory/Country/country_CN.html

ZHEJIANG CP AUDITORS : CP consultant companies in Zhejiang are increasing in number. The ZETC periodically releases an updated list of organizations endorsed by the government to perform CP audits. The most current list is available at the following site.

www.zjjmw.gov.cn/150502/165590.htm

LINKS

The Economic and Trade Commission of Zhejiang Province is responsible for regulating the Province's environmental policy and business practices.

www.zjjmw.gov.cn (Chinese Only)

The Zhejiang Environmental Protection Bureau has information regarding environmental initiatives and upcoming events in Zhejiang.

www.zjepb.gov.cn (Chinese Only)

The German Technical Cooperation's programme, “Environment-oriented Enterprise Consultancy Zhejiang (EECZ)”, has a focus on hazardous waste management and eco-efficient production in Zhejiang Province.

www.eecz.org

Cleaner Production activities promote strategies,policies and practices to prevent pollution from processes, products and services, increasing overall efficiency and reducing risks to humans and the environment.

www.uneptie.org/cp/

The site is designed to provide users in China with links to relevant international cleaner production web sites. For users in other countries, the site has comprehensive information on China's campaign to reduce pollution.

http://www.chinacp.com/eng/index.html