The Council commends China for having set a 10 point policy and other post-UNCED action plans and encourages effective implementation of the policy and the plans.
The Council believes that environment and development are complementary. Together they should be designed to advance the modernization of China. The Council wishes to bring to the attention of the Chinese Government the importance of environmentally sound development at this time of rapid economic growth. In this respect China should learn from the mistakes as well as the achievements of the industrial countries, and build on China's assets to create a sustainable economy. Environmental considerations should be brought into the centre of economic and social policy making from the beginning.
The Council is giving detailed study to the means by which sustainability can be achieved. It identifies some priorities and formulates the following recommendations.
1. Energy is critical. At present dependence on coal is a prime cause of pollution and contributes to global as well as local climate change. It is necessary to promote:
- energy conservation and efficiency in domestic and industrial use;
- clean coal technologies, and
- alternative renewable sources of energy.
2. China is rich in biodiversity. Its continued destruction could do enormous damage to the economy by weakening its natural base and depriving China of its potentialities for future food, medicine and other materials. It is necessary to:
- strengthen the system of terrestrial and aquatic protected areas;
- restore degraded habitats to ecological productivity; in order to achieve this, enlist the indispensable help of local communities, and
- cooperate with neighbouring countries to work out regional agreements on the prevention of trade in endangered species; in this respect, China should convene a regional conference on the issue.
3. To provide enough food is a vital issue for China, since it has a population of 1.2 billion. China should give its highest attention to agricultural growth, especially to proper land use planning, water use planning and ecological agriculture. China has, in this connection, accumulated much valuable experience, which should be given great emphasis for further practice and popularization.
4. Correct valuation and pricing of resources is the key to a sustainable economy. It is necessary to:
- develop and adopt resource pricing policies which reflect environmental and social costs;
- remove inappropriate subsidies;
- improve the present National Economic Accounting System by incorporating environmental costs into it, and
- develop and use economic and fiscal instruments for environmental management and pollution control.
5. Nothing is possible without public understanding, support and participation. Taking this into account, it is necessary to:
- disseminate environmental information to the public through the media;
- carry out environmental education at various levels, paying special attention to youth and women;
- establish mechanisms which will guarantee public participation;
- consider public choices and wishes, and
- encourage the public to exercise supervision of behaviour that causes damage to the environment.
6. Allocate adequate funds to support the implementation of environmental laws, standards and regulations.
7. As an important member of the international community, China should play an active role in international efforts to cope with global environmental problems. For example, China should make efforts to reduce atmospheric carbon emissions which are related to international efforts.