The Kyoto protocol, inked by the signatory member states under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, came into effect on Feb. 16, 2005. China will facilitate international cooperation in four major areas, in terms of clean development, joining international efforts to slow down and adapt to climate change, said ZHU Guangyao, Deputy Administrator of Chinese State Environmental Protection, at a high forum celebrating the Protocol coming into effect.

In the field of industrial pollution prevention, control and recycling, China will enhance environmental monitoring and control, advocating for a cyclic economy. Numerous Chinese enterprises have used in their production the cyclic resources utilization model with clean production as the core, and established a resources sharing chain. In the practice, greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, have become important resources for industrial cyclic utilization, which in turn reduces the emission and achieves a remarkable result lowering down both general pollutants and greenhouse gases.

China will intensify the clean development in the field of urban sewage and garbage treatment. China produces about 140 million tons of urban garbage annually, with an annual growth ranging between 5% and 8%.  Sanitary landfill is the prevailing treating method applied in the country. The cyclic economy asks for a comprehensive utilization of garbage.

HFC-23 recovery makes the third major area calling for improvement. The Chinese government has been seriously fulfilling its obligations for many years to outdate ozone-depleting substances, including the ones in chemicals, detergents, foaming agents, aerosols, coolants, auto air-conditioning, and tobacco, as well as in greenhouse gases emitting production and consumption activities. The efforts have created a huge market and sound supporting conditions for international cooperation.

The last but not least area is ecological reconstruction. China has made itself one of the countries in the world having the most intensive ecological reconstruction activities, and will continue to do so. Both afforestation and pasture capacity building and management will enhance the absorption of greenhouse gases, which leaves huge cooperation potentials for clean development. 

China has started cooperation with international communities in clean development related policy study, training and demonstration, taking advantage of the projects financed by UNDP, UN Foundation, Norwegian and Italian governments.