China can learn from strategic partner's environmental lessons

China and Italy have great potential for strategic partnership in the field of environmental protection technologies, according to a senior Italian official.

Francesco La Camera, director general of the Directorate for Sustainable Development, Environmental Damage, European Union and International Affairs at the Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea, said the two countries have cooperation opportunities in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, energy efficiency and smart cities solutions.

The environmental problems China faces today are those Italy has already tackled, he said.

In the 1960s, Italy enjoyed high economic growth known as the "Italian miracle", but it caused environmental issues such as air and water pollution. The Italian authorities faced those problems by applying strict laws and regulations.

"Our experience can be helpful just to not let our mistakes happen again," La Camera said. "Now you can do better than we did in the past."

Italy has "high-level technologies" in the field of environmental protection, while the Chinese economy has achieved "many positive results", he said. "So, the exchange between us can be fruitful for both of us."

Energy-efficient buildings have been built in China that combine Chinese and Italian technologies. One example is the China Convention Compliance Center in Beijing, one of the office buildings of the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Completed in 2009, the building was designed by Italian architects and built with advanced technologies in materials, incorporating energy efficiency and careful water use.

"One of the greatest success stories" of the Sino-Italian cooperation in environment protection is a training program for Chinese government officials, researchers and company executives.

Held in both countries annually, the program covers topics including energy efficiency, waste disposal and weather management. More than 10,000 trainees from governmental agencies, research institutions, universities and companies across China have participated in the training since 2003, La Camera said.

"Many high-level officials from China have been part of the training activity, creating a special link with our country," he said.

Three or four cooperative programs are planned this year with more next year, he said.

The director general said China has "impressive" environmental policies and strategies, with ambitious goals in its next Five-Year Plan concerning air pollution reduction in major cities and treatment of water pollution.

"The global economy is having a radical transformation because we need to have an economy that makes less use of carbon-intensive activities," he said. "We need an economy that makes more efficient use of resources."

As a global economic engine, China is transforming its economy, and focusing on sustainable development. "You can pick from all over the world what is the most convenient for you, and export to the world the best that you can do," he said.

The Italian session at today's Green Companies Summit of the China Entrepreneur Club is a good opportunity, La Camera said, both for China and Italy to have a fruitful exchange for a strong win-win collaboration for business projects in the field of environmental protection.

Today's event follows the Sino-Italian Forum on Environmental Protection held in Beijing on April 8, themed "District heating: solutions toward smart and sustainable cities". He said China is expanding its cities, using district heating in a better way and China has ambitious plans to further develop district heating areas and to refurbish and repower existing heat sources to match emissions reduction targets.

"In particular, China is converting coal boilers into more efficient sources of heat, starting from a higher exploitation of co-generation, the usage of natural gas, waste heat recovery and introduction of renewable sources," he said

During the process, the Italian experience can be helpful, La Camera said, but cannot be applied directly. "The Italian case must be adapted to China, so technicians have to talk," he said. "What we are trying to do is to facilitate dialogue, where the market is so complex both for Italian and Chinese companies."

zhangzhao@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/22/2016 page5)