Green Over Gold – China’s Acceleration Towards An Environmentally Driven Economy

By Eamon McKinney

Monday, April 17, 2017 – In our 30 years of project management in China, seldom has a subject so dominated discussion as China’s commitment to pro-environmental policy and the question I most often hear is “just how serious are they?”

My response is unequivocal.

China’s commitment to meeting the targets set out in the Paris Accord is the single most important factor dictating policy and driving a rapid social change that fundamentally alters the metrics by which business in China has been assessed in the past.

Of the world’s population threatened by rising sea levels, fully 25% live in China and even if the Paris targets of a 2-degree increase are achieved, over 63 million Chinese will be forced to leave their homes.

Urban displacement is just one of the many problems the government face when dealing with a population who are increasingly protesting environmental issues from air quality to corruption of the food chain.

Far from seeking to suppress the growing voice of concern, the government is now positioned as its champion making it clear that ratifying the Paris Treaty in September 2016 was not a concession to international pressure but a commitment to values and policies that they themselves regard as of paramount importance.

As President Xi Jinping said:  “… green mountains and clear water are as good as mountains of gold and silver. To protect the environment is to protect productivity and to improve the environment is to boost productivity,”

With this, he has dramatically positioned the environmental movement not just as an ideal but also as a significant driver for growth.

Over the past few months we have seen an unprecedented period of activity, both in terms of public statement and domestic policy heralding a significant opportunity for international CleanTech companies looking to do business in China and leading to President Xi, being feted as an environmental champion at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January for his pledge to respect the environment whilst pursuing economic and social progress.

The 5 year plan, instituted in 2016 focused on two main areas; the Global Energy Interconnectivity plan to connect renewable energy to the national grid, and the enforced reduction of emiss