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Weather study a focus of Sino-Canadian co-operation
By Fu Jin (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-11-01 22:56
The recent ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Russia's Duma has drawn
applause from Canadian and Chinese officials, saying the long-awaited approval
is encouraging closer efforts to tackle global weather change.
Don Fast, an official with Canada's Department of Environment said that the
State Duma's ratification, which cleared the way for the long-delayed climate
change pact to come into force worldwide, will encourage further international
co-operation in reducing emissions that lead to global warming.
"It's encouraging, but no matter if it is ratified or not, Canada will be
firmly committed to joint efforts in this regard with China," Fast said. He is
in charge of the department's affairs along the Pacific region.
The pact, adopted on December 11, 1997, obliges rich nations to cut overall
emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide by 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels by
2008-12 by curbing use of coal, oil and natural gas and shifting to cleaner
energies like solar or wind power.
Joint work between China and Canada in this regard, was deepened yesterday by
the opening of the "Climate Change and Sustainable Technologies Week" in
Beijing, which was jointly organized by the National Development and Reform
Commission and the Canadian Embassy in Beijing.
Eying tremendous opportunities in water and wastewater treatment, climate
change technologies and service, Canada sent a team headed by Fast to
participate.
The Chinese Government is willing to work with both governments and
businesses in Canada, a country that can be a source of competitively priced,
high-quality products and services that meet or exceed most international
regulations and emission-control standards, said Gao Guangsheng, director
general of the National Co-ordination Committee for Climate Change.
Gao encouraged investors to pour their money into renewable energy projects
and if entering into partnerships with Chinese investors, they will not only
enjoy preferential loans and tax policies, but also funding support from
developed countries.
Priority will be given to projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and
exploration of new and renewable energy sources, said Gao. Renewable energy
refers mainly to water, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and marine-based
energy.
Still, some Canadian companies with key environment-friendly technologies do
not know about the huge investment opportunities in environmental protection in
China.
"Consulting services are badly needed to help those enterprises enter into
China," said Christine Qian, manger of Ottawa-based Clean Energy International.
The company is with the team consisting of nearly 20 companies.
Jing Yunchuan, member of Canada-China Business Council, said great
opportunities exist as China is adopting an environment-friendly development
pattern and speeding its pace of urbanization.
"The opportunities are many especially in urban areas," said Jing, a partner
with the Beijing-based King & Partners Law Firm. His conclusions are based
on the central government's decision this year that private and foreign funding
will be allowed to conduct chartered operations in infrastructure
facilities.
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