Environmental Lessons from China: Finding Promising Policies in Unlikely Places

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Justin V Remais, Emory University; Junfeng Zhang, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-07-01
• Publisher: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: Publication of EHP lies in the public domain and is therefore without copyright. All text from EHP may be reprinted freely.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1003024/
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Environmental Health Perspectives
• ISSN: 0091-6765
• Volume: 119
• Issue: 7
• Start Page: 893
• End Page: 895
• Grant/Funding Information: J.Z. is supported in part by a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Center Grant (5P30ES007048) awarded to the University of Southern California.; J.V.R. is supported in part by the National Institutes of Health/National Science Foundation Ecology of Infectious Diseases Program (grant 0622743), the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (K01AI091864), and the Emory Global Health Institute Faculty Distinction Fund.
• Keywords: environmental policy; efficiency; climate change; transportation; renewable energy; pollution
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Environmental Sciences

Abstract

Background: Alongside the major health risks posed by environmental pollution in China are recent achievements on several environmental issues that have affluent Western nations racing to catch up. The country has propelled itself to a position of leadership in clean energy and efficiency, for instance, with important consequences for public health. Objectives: We comment on China’s challenges and recent accomplishments in addressing environmental problems from domestic pollution to global climate change. We compare China’s commitment to clean energy technology with that of other leading nations and discuss key achievements in other areas, including vehicle efficiency standards and transportation policy. Discussion: We discuss policy directions that would secure much-needed improvements to environmental quality and health in China, along with actions that could motivate global action on issues of energy conservation and pollution reduction. Conclusions: A comprehensive regulatory and institutional framework for environmental policy is within reach in China but will require addressing major hurdles such as the lack of an independent monitoring mechanism and the need for greater transparency and enforcement in environmental matters. Meanwhile, China can continue to set important examples by investing in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and limiting greenhouse gas emissions.