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Issue No. 13

AIR QUALITY

High PM2.5 linked to deaths (May 21, 2012)
Researchers from Peking University say minute particle pollution as indicated by high PM2.5 readings will cause a spike in the mortality rate of patients suffering heart and lung diseases.
The researchers from the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering and Center for Environment and Health at the university published their findings in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Whenever a reading of PM2.5 rises to 103 microgram per cubic meter, the mortality rate among those with risk factors will increase 2.29 percent, according to the study, which examined data from the city of Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province.
English Link: http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/710453/High-PM25-linked-to-de...

Pollution cuts improve heart health - Beijing study (May 15, 2012)
Cutting air pollution has an instant impact on heart health, experts believe, after reviewing studies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The work in the Journal of the American Medical Association involved medical tests on 125 volunteers living in one of the world's most polluted cities.
The British Heart Foundation said the link between heart disease and pollution had been known for some time but it was still not clear why this relationship existed.
English Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18070869

ENERGY

Beijing New standards for fuel to reduce pollution in city (May 18, 2012)
Beijing will introduce new fuel standards on May 31 that municipal officials say are nearly on a par with the European Union's Euro V, the first Chinese city to do so.
All fuel sold by retailers in the Chinese capital will be required to adhere to the new standards, which are expected to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions from 50 to 10 milligrams per kilogram, according to the Beijing environmental protection bureau.
English Link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-05/18/content_15326070.htm

PetroChina and partners in LNG deal (May 17, 2012)
PetroChina Co and three partners will jointly develop a liquefied natural gas export facility in Canada as a surge of shale gas supply in North America creates a surplus and pushes prices below levels in other markets.
The decision adds to a list of projects planned in Canada and the US, which are shifting global LNG supply from higher cost regions such as Australia toward North America.
English Link: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/nsp/Business/2012/05/17/PetroChina%2Band%2B...

TRANSPORT

Shanghai wants to move buses faster with green lights (May 15, 2012)
Shanghai's buses are expected to get traffic signal priority as the city moves ahead on plans to further develop public transportation.
Traffic jams have long been a headache for local traffic administrations, which encourage daily commuters to ride public transportation as the streets get increasingly jammed with private cars.
English Link: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/nsp/Metro/2012/05/15/City%2Bwants%2Bto%2Bmo...

The 2012 Shanghai International Modern Logistics & Transportation Exhibition to take place in August (May 8, 2012)
The 2012 Shanghai International Modern Logistics & Transportation Exhibition, organized by Shanghai Logistics Entrepreneur Association and Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. and co-organized by Shanghai Dahua Exhibition & Conference Co., Ltd., will be held at the Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center on August 23-25, 2012. With strong support from Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, China Communications and Transportation Association, China Electronic Commerce Association, China Air Transport Association and China Logistics Chamber of Commerce Preparatory Group, the exhibition's organizers will spare no effort in hosting a grand industry event which will promote the showcasing and exchanges of new products and technologies.
English Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-2012-shanghai-international-modern-...

CLIMATE CHANGE

China’s carbon market challenge (May 21, 2012)
The decision to set up seven emissions-trading pilots sent media into a tizzy about Chinese climate policy. But Wang Tao has other concerns: from accurate data to a stable carbon price, there are tests ahead.
The World Bank estimates that carbon trading globally could be worth US$3.5 trillion by 2020, meaning it would overtake oil to become the world’s largest market. Spurred by this rosy outlook, China had 100 carbon exchanges in operation or under preparation by late 2011. Most were quickly taken over by speculators, however, while genuine carbon trading remained rare. None of the three main exchanges saw a single real carbon trade in its first year of operation.
English Link: http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/ch/4936-China-s-carbon-...

Huge investment in 'green' projects (May 21, 2012)
China will invest more than 2 trillion yuan ($316 billion) in promoting energy-saving and low-carbon projects during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-15), Xie Zhenhua, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said.
The government will allocate targets of energy-saving and carbon-reduction to regions and key industries after considering regional disparities in resources, development level and industrial structure.
English Link: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-05/21/content_15356004.htm

OTHERS
Government funds green purchases (May 17, 2012)
China will provide financial subsidies of 26.5 billion yuan ($4.2 billion) to stimulate the consumption of energy-saving products, mainly automobiles and household appliances, said the State Council.
The green measure also aims to expand domestic demand in a bid to provide stable growth for the world's second-largest economy. The subsidy will be available for household appliances including air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines for one year.
English Link: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-05/17/c_131593671.htm

Grassroots approach need of the hour (May 11, 2012)
International NGOs must strive to work more closely with local support groups in China.
The number of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on China has been steadily growing, with those from the United States alone around 1,000, according to information provided by the China Charity & Donation Information Center. The 1,000-odd NGOs have injected donations to the tune of nearly 20 billion yuan ($3.18 billion) since 1978.
With such a large presence in China, it is important to understand how international NGOs have influenced the development of grassroots society.
English Link: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/weekly/2012-05/11/content_15265318.htm