The first national survey of pollution sources, though belated,
is of great importance for the realization of China's environmental
protection goals.
Recently the State Council issued a notice on implementation
that requires local governments' full support to facilitate
preparation for the survey, scheduled to take place in 2008 with
results to be published in 2009.
By collecting all the needed data at industrial, agricultural
and residential pollution sources, the survey will lay a foundation
for the country to substantially reduce emissions in the long run
through not only administrative regulation, but market mechanisms
as well.
China has made it a binding aim to cut main pollutants like
chemical oxygen demand (COD) emissions and sulphur dioxide
discharges by 10 per cent each during the 11th Five-Year Plan
period (2006-10).
In 2005, China discharged 25.5 million tons of sulphur dioxide,
and released more than 14 million tons of COD.
The survey seemingly comes too late to be of immediate help in
meeting the country's pollution control goal. By the time its
findings are made public, the country will be left with only one
year to achieve its five-year environmental goal.
China's discharges of COD and sulphur dioxide increased by 4.2
per cent and 5.8 per cent year-on-year in the first half of this
year, instead of declining as expected. This fact only shows that
extensive growth patterns in this country will die hard.
Hence, it is unlikely too much will be achieved in just one year
if the survey result exposes a larger-than-expected pollution
control gap for the country to narrow.
Even so, the lack of short-term effect does not negate the
long-term significance of such a fact-finding attempt.
The survey of pollution sources is essential to both a thorough
understanding of the country's environmental conditions and proper
policy-making to combat pollution.
Only with timely and accurate emissions data can the country's
environmental agency effectively monitor major pollutants and seek
solutions.
The authorities have demonstrated their resolve to control total
emissions with increased financial support and enhanced
regulation.
But to ensure the efficient use and allocation of environmental
resources, total emission controls alone are not enough. It is
necessary to introduce emissions trading, which links environmental
goals to economic growth.
To do that, a national survey of all pollution sources is the
very beginning step. Polluters need to know how many pollutants
they are permitted to produce and how much they can benefit from
reducing emissions before they become active participants in the
emissions trading market.
In this sense, the survey can help accelerate the crucial
transition in the country's environmental policy from focusing on
end-of-pipe pollution control to emphasizing sustainability.
(China Daily October 25, 2006)