Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 February 2009
The world's environmental technology and service industry, although comparatively young, is already important in global terms. In 1992 the value of the world market was estimated at US$210 billion, which was comparable to the global aerospace and pharmaceutical industries. By the year 2000 the market is expected to have grown to around US$335 billion and to have reached a value of US$640 billion by 2010.
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2. The recent World Bank report (The World Bank, China 2020: Clear Water, Blue Skies (Washington, DC: World Bank, 1997)) does, however, draw a positive correlation between the current fines and fees systems and reduced pollution intensity in five cities.Google Scholar
3. However in the case of the Huai River it is important to note that the action was prompted in the wake of a disaster situation and that there is international finance available to support the costs of upgrade under the Huai River Project.Google Scholar
4. Reportedly 80% of the 1,036 factories in Henan province which were required to meet discharge standards by the end of 1997 have not reached the treatment targets, and 60% of the 1,036 have not started treatment projects at all (China Environment News, 17 June 1997).Google Scholar
5. Case examples are discussed at length in Clarke, Shelley and Thomas, Felicity, Pollution Control in the PRC: An Investors' Guide (London: Environmental Resources Management, 1997).Google Scholar
6. Ibid.
7. According to the Protocol of Levy Ecological Compensation in Yulin and Tongchuan, Shaanxi province, which became effective from 1 January 1997, 11 industries which engage in mining, mineral resources supply and processing must pay ecological environmental compensation amounting to a certain percentage of the local price of the products. A total of 90% of the levied fees will be used for environmental protection (China Environment News, 20 February 1997).Google Scholar
8. The World Bank, China 2020: Clear Water, Blue Skies.Google Scholar
9. For instance, large increases predicted in industry spending may be based on an assumption that a new standard will be fully enforced, while this is unlikely to occur in practice. Similarly, anticipated macro-investment plans, such as provincial or municipal five-year plans, may also be based on requirements to meet targets which may contain a shortfall in terms of actually available finance.Google Scholar
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12. For example, from 1 October 1997, China enforced its safety quality licensing system for imported boilers and pressure vessels as mandatory. All importers must register for a licence at a fee of US$15,000 plus expenses (70 companies have registered since 1995).Google Scholar
13. National Environmental Protection Industry Survey Project Office, Quanguo huanjing baohu chanye jiben qingkuang diaocha (National Survey of the Status of the Environmental Protection Industry) (Beijing: The Project Office, 1995).Google Scholar
14. Large-scale enterprises are defined as having fixed assets of greater than 50 billion yuan (US$6 million).Google Scholar
15. A catch-all term which includes recycling and reuse of waste materials among other things.Google Scholar
16. Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation, Revised Guidance Catalogue for Foreign Investment in Production (Beijing: MOFTEC, 1998).Google Scholar
17. United Nations Development Programme.Google Scholar
18. Examples in the water sector include DHV (Holland), Kruge (Denmark), Chiyota and Tsurumi (Japan), and ITT Flygt (Switzerland).Google Scholar
19. As a rule of thumb 18% IRR is preferred as a minimum by foreign investors whereas the Chinese imposed maximum rate at project approval stage in China is currently 15% IRR.Google Scholar
20. U.S. Department of Commerce, China Industry Sector Analysis: Potable Water Technologies (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1993).Google Scholar
21. Huang, Christine, Wastewater Treatment in Guangzhou, Guangdong (Beijing: U.S. Embassy Commercial Section, 1996).Google Scholar
22. List as identified in U.S. Trade Promotion Co-ordination Committee, China Environmental Technologies Export Market Plan (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1996).Google Scholar
23. Huai River Basin Pollution Prevention Plan, Editorial Group, Huaihe liuyu shui wuran fangzhi jihua (Huai River Basin Pollution Prevention Plan) (Beijing: The Editorial Group, 1997).Google Scholar
24. National Climate Change Co-ordinating Group, 3rd Working Group, Zhongguo wei nuan wen shi qi ti pai fang suo xu de ji shu zhuan rang qing dan (List of Technologies to be Popularized to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in China) (Beijing: The Working Group 1996).Google Scholar
25. It should be noted here that mass marketing techniques are not as yet considered to be particularly effective in China with sales still dominated by personal relationships and networks.Google Scholar
26. Such centres must be set up in the name of the Chinese company and require approval from MOFTEC.Google Scholar