Can China Go Green?

By Saima Zeb
Environment Correspondent, SAM Daily Times

China is the largest producer of photovoltaic solar panels as well as the world’s second-largest market for wind turbines. China’s BYD Auto leapfrogged global giants launching the first mass-produced hybrid that plugs into an electrical outlet.China’s outlook appears really good in the midst of strong government support. China’s leaders understand they are in a global race and are supporting green businesses with policies and incentives.. Himin Solar Energy Group is the world’s largest producer of rooftop piping systems that use the sun’s rays to heat water. Because its water heaters sell for as little as two hundred and twenty dollars, they are becoming standard in new housing complexes and many commercial buildings.

Broad Air Conditioning is also helping China push towards its green targets by using natural gas and waste heat from other machines and appliances instead of electricity in its big chillers to deliver two to three times more cooling per unit of energy. Also the government has shut down many of the smallest and filthiest coal-fired power plants and the pollution that shrouds every major city is slowly starting to clear. They can even draw on the expertise of many of the world’s top multinationals. Companies like General Electric, DuPont, 3M, and Siemens share their technology, help upgrade their China-based supply chains, and spread industrial processes to make manufacturing more efficient.

But there is a downside. China’s rock-bottom prices for making green technology could make it impossible for the U.S., Europe, or Japan to compete. Not to mention that without better information on how policies like the current Renewable Energy Law are to be enforced,. It is often cheaper to pay the penalties rather than comply with the law in many areas. In an economic crunch, environmental protection is downplayed to second, or third, or even fourth priority. Most China watchers say that even though there has been some backsliding it’s unlikely that there will be a full retreat, because too much of its export growth is contingent on meeting strict environmental regulations.

So yes, China can go green. But, will it go green? I believe yes, and I also believe that at its current growth rate it will take some time before China will become green.  With all the carbon being put into the air from industry and the sheer growth of coal-fueled energy, China isn’t even expected to reach its peek emissions until 2030. But, will that be too late? Some scientists believe the greening of China will be too late to prevent dramatic warming, melting of the Himalayan glaciers, and the rise of the seas as well as other horrors. But, I disagree. I believe that when faced with the alternatives and the consequences China will continue on its green path and will become the first totally green country.