Cleaner Production (Pollution Prevention) Policy and Guidelines

Cleaner Production (Pollution Prevention) Policy and Legislation - Background, Context and Progress

On June 29, 2002, the National People's Congress approved new and comprehensive cleaner production legislation, the Cleaner Production Promotion Law. This new law is the most significant of a number of initiatives the Chinese government has taken to establish Cleaner Production nationwide as one of China's key strategies for sustainable development. It is unprecedented, being the first national law in the world to establish Cleaner Production as a national policy, and to lay out a strategy for its promotion and implementation. This law became effective January 1, 2003. http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cppolicystrategy/cp_law2002.html

Responsible Government Departments

Different governmental organizations in China have developed policies and guidelines which are relevant to the promotion and implementation of cleaner production (pollution prevention.) The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cporg/cporg_ndrc.html and the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cporg/cporg_sepa.html are the two key organizations involved although sectoral agencies also play a role.

Policies

Cleaner Production Guideline (1999) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cppolicystrategy/demo_site_guide.html
NDRC has issued a number of policy and guideline documents relating to the promotion of cleaner production (pollution prevention). One key document is the guidelines defining a demonstration site programme for the promotion of cleaner production.
Ten Demonstration Cities (1999) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cppolicystrategy/cp_cities.html
These guidelines identify ten cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Shenyang, Taiyuan, Jinan, Kunming, Lanzhou and Fuyang ) as demonstration sites for the promotion and introduction of cleaner production. (see http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cpmaps/clean_cities.html )
Five Priority Sectors (1999) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cppolicystrategy/cp_sectors.html
The guidelines also identify five priority sectors -- the petrochemical industry, metallurgic industry, chemical industry (nigrogen fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, chlor-alkali and sulphuric acid), light industry (pulp and paper, fermentation and beer-making), and ship building.
Three Identified Lakes and Five Identified Rivers (1999) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cppolicystrategy/cp_rivers_lakes.html
SEPA has identified five rivers (Huai He, Hai He, Liao He, Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) and Huang He (Yellow River) see http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cpmaps/clean_rivers.html) and three lakes ( Tai Lake (Tai Hu), Chao Lake (Chao Hu) and Dian Chi see http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cpmaps/clean_lakes.html) which have high environmental priority. A combined map shows the cities, rivers and lakes on a single map. http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cpmaps/clean_all.html
Gender Equality (2001) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cppolicystrategy/cp_gender.html
Gender equality is assuming increasing importance as a policy issue. Many governments and projects are developing specific gender equality policies and guidelines.
The Tenth Five-Year Plan for the National Economy and Social Development (2001) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cppolicystrategy/10th_5_intro.htm
Official plans for conservation and development in various sectors. The full text is in Chinese only, but an English summary of the whole plan as related to environmental protection is available at http://www.zhb.gov.cn/english/plan/Tenth.htm
Cleaner Production Promotion Law (2002) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cppolicystrategy/cp_law2002.html
On June 29, 2002, the National People's Congress approved new and comprehensive cleaner production legislation. This new law is the most significant of a number of initiatives the Chinese government has taken to establish Cleaner Production nationwide as one of China's key strategies for sustainable development. It is unprecedented, being the first national law in the world to establish Cleaner Production as a national policy, and to lay out a strategy for its promotion and implementation. This law became effective January 1, 2003.
Circular Economy (2003) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cppolicystrategy/circular_economy.html
Cleaner Production is the first and most vital step for reaching the ultimate goal of the Circular Economy, especially for industrial sectors. Development based on the Circular Economy will be essential for China to reach an overall well-off society by sustaining fast-paced economic growth while mitigating negative ecological impact and creating more job opportunities.

More Resources:

The Cleaner Production Knowledge Series (2001-2003) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cptools/cpt_books.htm detailed guides for implementation of CP in various sectors
China National Cleaner Production Center (1996) http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cporg/cporg_cncpc.html
September 2001 International Conference on Cleaner Production (Beijing) - http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cpconfer/iccp01/iccp01.html - 30 papers with current information about CP in China - includes details about policy and regulation on CP and much more
The National Ninth Five-Year Plan for Environmental Protection and the Long-Term Targets for the Year 2010 (Summary) -- http://www.zhb.gov.cn/english/plan/Ninep.htm -- Summary by SEPA. Includes Objectives, Major Indices, Guiding Principles and Policies, Major Tasks, Investment Requirements, and Major Measures.
China's Agenda 21 -- http://www.acca21.org.cn/ -- see especially Programme, Investment Projects and Community areas for interesting implementation details of Cleaner Production and Sustainable Development: http://www.acca21.org.cn/indexe8.html
China's Environmental Legislation - http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cnenvleg.html - brief summary of legislation previous to 1999
Links to more Chinese Government Environment Documents http://www.chinacp.com/eng/cplinks/chinalinks.html#env-govt