Floods, fires and typhoons: extreme weather in 2020. Latham & Watkins will continue to monitor developments in this area. Nationwide NO2 levels have risen almost 50% ⦠Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practices in Hong Kong and Japan. Portions of this blog may constitute attorney advertising. Home > China > Environmental and Social Policy in China: What Will 2020 Hold? Beijing ICP prepared NO.16065310-3, China embraces greatest achievement in environmental protection. China experienced its greatest improvement in ecological and environmental protection from 2016 to 2020 after the completion of the main objectives and tasks outlined in the 13th Five-Year Plan, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. As China's economy rapidly expanded over the past two decades, using coal as their main energy source, their emissions have overtaken the US and now comprise around 28% of ⦠And last year, China ⦠As China seeks to control the spread of COVID-19, fewer cars are driving, fewer factories are running and â in some places â skies are clearer. January 9, 2020 By Richard Liu, Zhou Yang & Xinzhou Qian. "Our industrial structure still relies heavily on the chemical industry, the energy industry still mainly relies on coal, and transportation is still highway-based," Zhao said. The average number of "good quality air days" increased 21.5% in February, compared to the same period last year, according to China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Noting China strictly manages solid waste and marine debris, she said by the end of 2020, the country will basically achieve the goal of zero import of solid waste. Xu confirmed that the pollution targets MEE set last year for the end of 2020 would not be altered, despite the fact that some areas of the country (such as Hunan in south-central China) missed their PM 2.5 air quality targets in 2019. The NGDF is the first Chinese investment fund to have a primarily green focus, although other investment programmes, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, have, in recent years, given increased consideration to their environmental impacts. This approach mirrors that highlighted by the EU in its recently released green deal, and points to the growing international consensus that governments alone do not have the resources required to achieve a transition to a sustainable economy. This year is the last year of the plan in which more attention has been given to environmental protection â targets for cutting carbon emissions and optimizing energy use. Space Data Shows Chinaâs Economic Recovery From Virus. China's Top 6 Environmental Concerns. After loosening in 2020, monetary policy will shift to a neutral stance in 2021, amid concerns of deepening structural imbalances. Aaron Clark. China’s corporate social credit system, which authorities will continue to roll out in 2020, will encompass environmental protection as one of its regulated sectors. Chinaâs Risky Gamble on Coal Conversion. Chinas 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) addresses these issues. Environmental Performance Index. Further, on 27 December, a draft law on Yangtze River conservation (the Draft Law) was submitted to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee for first reading. China experienced its greatest improvement in ecological and environmental protection from 2016 to 2020 after the completion of the main objectives and tasks outlined in the 13th Five-Year Plan, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Given that methane is 84 times more potent than Carbon Dioxide ⦠This acknowledgment of the importance of social action at a local level is further evidence of the Chinese authorities’ recognition that centralised action can only be part of the solution when it comes to environmental protection, in much the same way as it can only form part of the solution in the transition to a sustainable economy. China will maintain its environmental protection goals and will not ease off on trying to achieve them even as the economy slows, an environment ministry official said on Thursday. Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP continues to decline and carbon intensity has decreased by 18.2% compared to 2015. By Latham & Watkins LLP on December 1, 2020 Posted in China The Chinese Communist Partyâs policy plans include an increased focus on climate change and a more open trade environment. A staff member checks on the power-generating devices of a waste-to-energy plant in Bazhou, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 9, 2020. Having said that, challenges still remain. China's annual emissions today are about double those of the US, according to UN data. The 2020 EPI provides a quantitative basis for comparing, analyzing, and understanding environmental performance for 180 countries. 31 January 2020. Since 2010, sales of new energy cars have taken up 55 percent of the global figure, making China the country with the largest number of new energy vehicles in the world. On top of that, China has also contributed significantly to tackling climate change by controlling carbon emissions, promoting energy conservation, boosting the development of green energy and actively participating in international governance. It highlights the development of services and measures to address environmental and social imbalances, setting targets to reduce pollution, to increase energy efficiency, to improve access to education and healthcare, and to expand social protection. ", "We will continue our efforts in environmental protection and fighting against climate change based on the previous experiences in the next five years. The purpose of this communication is to foster an open dialogue and not to establish firm policies or best practices. 2. By. In addition to the NGDF, Xu emphasised the importance of private sector finance in achieving the sustainable economic goals that China has set for the country. Xu confirmed that the pollution targets MEE set last year for the end of 2020 would not be altered, despite the fact that some areas of the country (such as Hunan in south-central China) missed their PM 2.5 air quality targets in 2019. Sun 27 Sep 2020 11.19 EDT Last modified on Sun 27 Sep 2020 16.04 EDT Chinaâs President Xi Jinping stunned climate action observers in a speech at ⦠2:30. The 13th Five-Year Plans annual growth target is 6.5%, reflecting the rebalancing of the economy and the focus on the quality of growth while maintaining the objective of achieving a moderat⦠China's environmental protection is still an arduous task and the road ahead is long and tortuous. Air pollution in Beijing is emblematic of China's many environmental problems. Five things Trump has said about the environment. "Meanwhile, the world is undergoing profound and complex changes, the risks and challenges are growing every day, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise. However, during discussions at a panel of Chinese lawmakers (also on 27 December), participants highlighted that a number of provisions should be added to the Draft Law to reflect the importance of “social participation” in ensuring the river is protected. MEE declares full steam ahead on China’s environmental initiatives, including an NGDF, private sector finance, Yangtze River conservation, and the social credit system. 2. The consideration of social issues in the context of the above is also indicative of Chinese authorities’ broader approach to environmental regulation. He argued that China will become carbon neutral in 2060, not climate neutral, meaning that China will be able to continue pumping other greenhouse gasses such as methane into the environment. Your use of this blog site alone creates no attorney client relationship between you and Latham & Watkins LLP. The Draft Law acknowledges the importance of national legislation to protect the ecological integrity of the Yangtze River, and focuses in particular on flood prevention work. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. In conclusion, China’s continued focus on the importance of environmental protection is notable, even in the face of a projected slowdown of the economy. We expect China's real GDP to expand by 8.5% in 2021, from 2.3% growth in 2020, underpinned by fiscal support for infrastructure, healthcare and consumption. China⦠Chinaâs worldwide fishing fleet is enormous, with estimates suggesting 17,000 vessels cruising waters far from Chinaâs shores. Xu also took the opportunity to reinforce MEE’s view of the importance of green finance to Chinese investment in 2020 and beyond. By Marc Lallanilla - Live Science Contributor March 15, 2013. Air pollution over China has plummeted in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that forced the shutdown of industry and transport, NASA says. Results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each representation. China Facts | Energy, Environment and Pollution in China October 8, 2020 By China Mike Rapid industrial development and the dominance of economic growth in political considerations have taken a major toll on the environment and air quality in China. ", (If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com. Xu Bijiu, director general of the general office of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), has given the clearest signal to date that China’s environmental ambitions will not be impeded by the projected slowdown of the Chinese economy. Up till the end of last year, eight out of nine projected goals had been accomplished in terms of concentration of fine particles, carbon emissions, water quality and the elimination of other chemical pollutants, Zhao Yingmin, vice minister of ecology and environment, said. At the September 2019 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Climate Summit, the U.S. delegation, under the shadow of intended withdrawal from Paris, did not volunteer a speaker. It will be interesting to see whether, and how many of, these proposed additions to the Draft Law are incorporated by the time the law is enacted. BEIJING, BOSTON, BRUSSELS, CHICAGO, DUBAI, DÜSSELDORF, FRANKFURT, HAMBURG, HONG KONG, HOUSTON, LONDON, LOS ANGELES, MADRID, MILAN, MOSCOW, MUNICH, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, ORANGE COUNTY, PARIS, RIYADH*, SAN DIEGO, SAN FRANCISCO, SEOUL, SHANGHAI, SILICON VALLEY, SINGAPORE, TOKYO AND WASHINGTON, D.C. * IN COOPERATION WITH THE LAW OFFICE OF SALMAN M. AL-SUDAIRI. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Last modified on Tue 22 Sep 2020 16.11 EDT. China released a comprehensive 15-year plan for ecological protection and recovery work, setting a target to improve the country's environment and achieve the goal of building a "Beautiful China⦠Published by Yihan Ma , Jun 18, 2020. ), Copyright © 2020 CGTN. China will seek to keep average levels of small, hazardous airborne particles known as PM2.5 at 34.5 micrograms per cubic metre over the course of 2021, the environment ⦠The various initiatives outlined in this post, such as the roll-out of the social credit system, will ensure that Chinese environmental regulatory landscape will be a key focus for market participants in 2020 and beyond. Zhao told a press conference on October 21 that the number of days with excellent or good air quality in 2020 is expected to reach 84.5% by the end of the year, comfortably meeting the goal as outlined in the plan. China will officially launch a national green development fund (NGDF) in 2020, which will focus on green investments within China. The⦠Needless to say, this is not a substitute for legal advice or reading the rules and regulations we have summarized. Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth: China in Action September 21, 2020 Notice Call for Slogans Solicitation on the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) August 31, 2020 The year 2020 is on course to be one of the three warmest years ever recorded, according to the annual climate report by the United Nationsâ World Meteorological Organization. China improves business environment to spur economy 0 Comment(s) Print E-mail Xinhua, August 8, 2020 Adjust font size: Despite the COVID-19 epidemic, new ⦠Municipal authorities in Chinaâs capital, Beijing, have since amended the cityâs laws pertaining to waste disposal with provisions that are expected to come into effect in early 2020. And Hubei wasn't alone. We score and rank these countries on their environmental performance using the most recent year of data available and calculate how these scores have changed over the previous decade. Do not include confidential information in comments or other feedback or messages left on the Global Privacy & Security Compliance Law Blog Blog, as these are neither confidential nor secure methods of communicating with attorneys. Dismissing suggestions that increased environmental protection had led to downward pressures on the economy in recent years, Xu stated that China has, in fact, benefitted from a “harmonious, win-win relationship” between economic development and increased environmental protection. Any testimonial or endorsement on this profile does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. , March 3, 2020, 7:41 PM PST. Backgrounder by Eleanor ⦠Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Nearly 99 percent of China's urban household waste is treated to Attention instead focused on China. From wildfires and floods to storms and locust swarms, extreme weather and natural disasters around the ⦠This statistic displays the results of a survey about the most concerning environmental issues in China as ⦠Reporters Without Borders (RSF) presents the 2020 press freedom barometer. Chinaâs environment ministry is proposing a crackdown on state involvement in building coal power plants abroad, in a report co-authored with international green groups. In any particular case, you should consult with lawyers at the firm with the most experience on the topic. By Paul Davies , Ethan Prall and Andrew Westgate This social participation would include a number of methods that would seek to influence the lifestyles of people across the region, such as additional education about the importance of Yangtze River conservation in schools, and the introduction of a national award for local authorities, institutions, and individuals, for outstanding contributions to the conservation of the Yangtze River. This post was prepared with the assistance of James Bee in the London office of Latham & Watkins. Zhao said the achievement is the result of a continuously improved management system in the construction of ecological civilization and stronger laws and regulation. Hong Kong (CNN Business) While much of the world scrambles to prevent new coronavirus cases from stalling the fragile recovery from recession, China⦠Updated 9:08 PM ET, Sat October 10, 2020. Depending on your specific situation, answers other than those outlined in this blog may be appropriate. Chinaâs mounting environmental crisis is endangering the pace of its economic growth and threatening the legitimacy of the ruling party. This will likely lead to a company’s environmental performance being a vital component of its overall social credit score, meaning that bad performances in the environmental space have the potential to lead to significant, business-wide ramifications, such as the removal of tax breaks, increased factory inspections, and restrictions on obtaining licences. It presents the medium-term outlook for the EU agricultural markets, income It presents the medium-term outlook for the EU agricultural markets, income and environment to 2030, based on a set of coherent macroeconomic assumptions deemed most Environmental and Social Policy in China: What Will 2020 Hold. Tue 22 Sep 2020 15.21 EDT.