The World Bank has joined the
Sino-Italian Environmental Cooperation Program in support of
China's development and implementation of the circular economy. The
announcement was made at a joint press conference on July 29,
attended by representatives of the Italian Ministry for the
Environment and Territory, State Environmental Protection
Administration of China, the National People Congress, and the
World Bank.
The Bank's partnership with the
Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory began in 2004
with the establishment of the World Bank-Italian Trust Fund for
Environment Protection in China, which provides grants for climate
change-related studies and pilot projects. In response to Chinese
government priorities, circular economy is one of the areas
selected for support.
The circular economy approach
combines three major objectives which are essential for the
achievement of sustainable development:
1. increased efficiency in the use
of raw materials, including natural resources such as energy and
water;
2. improved management of wastes,
including enhanced reuse and recycling, and safe disposal of
hazardous wastes; and
3. conservation and enhancement
ecological sustainability through improved spatial planning and
coordination of economic activities.
"The concept of circular economy was
new to the Bank, but the more we learn about it, the more we like
it," said Andres Liebenthal, Sector Coordinator for Environment and
Social Development at the World Bank Office in China. "The Bank is
happy to support the promotion of the circular economy".
The World Bank-Italian partnership
supports two circular economy studies. The first study, managed by
the Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of
the National People's Congress, is about the development of a
"Legal Framework for the Circular Economy in China". It will
include an assessment of current laws and regulations relevant to
circular economy objectives in China, a comparative analysis of
circular economy-related laws in industrialized countries, and
field investigations of pilot activities in China. The end product
will be a series of recommendations for the design of a legal
framework for promoting circular economy in China, including new
laws and regulations as appropriate. This study has already been
launched and is expected to be completed by early 2006.
The second study, managed by the
State Environmental Protection Administration, will cover "Policies
and Regulations for Promoting Development of Circular Economy in
China". It will include an analysis of the efficiency of raw
material flows in key sectors and cities, an assessment of the
status of waste reuse and recycling, and case studies on the
sustainability of urban and rural development patterns. The end
product will be an integrated set of policy proposals for improving
resource production and consumption efficiency, waste management,
and the development of regionally sustainable production and
consumption patterns. The second study will be carefully
coordinated with the first one and is expected to be completed in
late 2006.
(China.org.cn August 2, 2005)