'New normal' brings new opportunity for low-carbon economy
Updated: 2015-02-02 15:53
(chinadaily.com.cn)
|
|||||||||||
China's economy has entered a period of new normal, which brings an opportunity for the development of a green and low-carbon economy and environmental protection, industry experts said during an annual event in Beijing last Friday.
The World Economic and Environmental Conference (WEC) Annual Meeting on Green and Low-Carbon Transformational Development was held in Beijing on Jan 30. It was followed by an awards ceremony for the 4th International Carbon-Value Award.
It was co-organized by the International Energy Conservation and Environment Protection Association (IEEPA), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
With the theme of "Idea leads low-carbon reform, Innovation facilitates green development", the event brought together high-level officials from governments, international organizations and foreign embassies who shared their insights on low-carbon development, economic growth and environmental protection.
Several experts said during the event that China's "new normal" brings an unprecedented opportunity for the development of a green and low-carbon economy and environmental protection. People should pay more attention to energy conservation and environmental protection.
China's economy grew 7.4 percent in 2014, the weakest annual expansion in 24 years but still in line with market expectations, as the country braces for a "new normal" of slower yet higher quality growth. Shanghai municipality recently abandoned GDP growth targets to emphasize the quality and efficiency of the economy.
"Energy conservation and environmental protection is not only an industry, a technology, a project and an economic term, also a necessary internal theory for the sustained development of the nation and society", said Jon Li, Secretary General of International Energy Conservation and Environment Protection Association (IEEPA) at his welcome speech.
Energy conservation and environmental protection is an important element of green and low-carbon transformation, the construction of ecological civilization and living in harmony with nature, Li added. "It is a broad noun, which involves every industry related to the national economy and people's livelihood. Energy conservation and environmental protection is everywhere, and related to every industry, every enterprise and everyone."
Environmental protection is also an economy, Li said. "We should act on our own initiative rather than as a firefighter playing a passive role. We should make environmental protection deeply rooted in all enterprises, products and technologies. Environmental protection is not a public benefit, but the obligation and responsibility we should assume being a human being, an enterprise, an organization even a country. "
Environmental benefits are also economic benefits, which is the essence of the win-win development of economic growth and environmental protection. "If we grasped this point, the energy conservation and environmental protection industry will make a significant change to our nation, our society and our living environment," Li added.
Related Stories
Climate disclosures to get increased emphasis 2014-11-26 09:39
Firmer execution urged in China's green efforts 2014-09-12 10:23
China's smoggiest province closes 56 mines 2014-08-06 17:44
Carbon trade in Beijing tops 100m yuan 2014-12-13 17:13
Commission: Economic growth driven by energy efficiency 2014-09-24 07:22
Clean coal key to meeting global energy demand 2014-11-10 10:14
Today's Top News
Dalai Lama-Obama meet risks Sino-US trust
90% of Chinese cities not meet air standards
Chinese money flows into UK
Chinese woman brain dead in cosmetic surgery in S. Korea
China, India build on relationship
China assumes rotating presidency of UN Security Council
Australia to donate military landing craft to Philippines
S. Korea confirms dog infected with avian flu
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Conca set to return to China |
CES: Spotlight on Chinese gadgets |
Yearender: What happened around the globe in 2014 |
National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre victims |
Corrupt female officials spark debate |
Blue skies ready to greet APEC |