China Direct

CBI Member Fuji Xerox wins China green award

 

[Image courtesy of www.fujixerox.com]

CBI member Fuji Xerox recently won the "Outstanding Contribution Company to China IT Industry Green Development Award" from China Information World, an IT newspaper run by the China Electronic Information Industry Development Research Institute, as well as the China CSR Award, which was evaluated by more than 100 public organisations, media outlets, and specialists.

The Green Development Award was established in 2011, and Fuji Xerox (China) Ltd. was the only winner in the green development category, receiving recognition for its energy-saving products, recycling system for used products and cartridges, and "Print Green" campaign.

Also launched in 2011, the China CSR Award evaluated Fuji Xerox's environmental and educational initiatives in China, and Fuji Xerox was the only office equipment manufacturer among the 35 award-winning companies.

Please click here to read the full press release by Fuji Xerox.

National People's Congress 2012 - an analysis

 

[Image courtesy of www.apcoworldwide.com/china]

China Direct would like to thank CBI member APCO for kindly providing the following analysis of the recently convened annual National People's Congress in Beijing.

For more information and analysis please download below.

Download NPC_2012

Thank you.

11th National People's Congress (NPC) Policy Highlights

[Image courtesy of www.news.cn] 

On Monday, China opened the Fifth Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Nearly 3,000 NPC deputies from across the country attended the opening meeting together with top Party and state leaders.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a government work report at the opening meeting covering major targets for 2012, fiscal and monetary policies, price control, agriculture, economic restructuring, nuclear power, marine development, people's wellbeing, spending on education, cultural development, etc.

Highlights included:

• Major targets set for 2012 included GDP growth of 7.5%, the creation of nine million new jobs in towns
and cities, growth of the volume of total exports and imports by about 10%, etc.

• The broad money supply is projected to increase by 14%.

• RMB 1.23 trillion will be allocated for agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, RMB 186.8 billion more
than last year.

• China will formulate and implement a strategy for marine development.

• Spending on education will account for 4% of GDP.

• The government will complete five million units of low-income housing and start construction on more
than seven million units.

Please click here to read further highlights of the government work report and here for additional media coverage.

UK CBI Member Notts University wins green funding from Ningbo City

 

[Image courtesy of www.nottingham.ac.uk]

CBI member The University of Nottingham's Ningbo campus in China recently received nine million RMB (about £1 million) in funding from the City of Ningbo for an ambitious project to produce at least 25 manufacturing research engineers and 25 patents for new technologies over the next five years.

The funding represents the highest amount ever awarded to The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). The University's innovation team will work with at least 50 companies in Ningbo to invent low-carbon technologies. Much of the team's focus will be on the automotive industry in Ningbo.

Professor Sam Shen, Registrar at UNNC, said, "This project is vitally important for the economy of Ningbo and China in general. The government has prioritised green technologies in its latest five-year plan.

"The city of Ningbo, which is a key industrial area in China, wants to take the lead in scientific and technological innovation that helps deliver on national goals to reduce carbon emissions and at the same time generate further economic growth.

"The project's funders and leaders also have international aspirations. Our innovation team will play an important role in developing scientists in China who can create world-leading technologies and make valuable contributions to international scholarly research."

Professor Nabil Gindy, UNNC's Vice-Provost for Research and its Graduate School dean, said, "This project isn't just about research; it is about talent-building. The concept is to create a number of researchers with critical mass to work in areas that the Chinese government considers important. The emphasis will be on nurturing young scientists."

Professor Gindy also noted, "We will be working closely with businesses to look at how companies can make money, and quite possibly even more money than ever, but reduce the environmental impact of what they do.

"This project is about job creation and improved productivity as much as it is about advances in science and technology."

Please click here to read the full press release by The University of Nottingham.

 

UK Retailer Tesco wins prestigious Green Award in China

 

[Image courtesy of www.tesco.com]

CBI member Tesco recently received the prestigious 'Green Supply Chain Award' from The Global Supply Chain Council in China.

The Global Supply Chain Council praised Tesco for demonstrating strong environmental leadership and a firm commitment to promoting green business in China.

Tesco's new 'green' logistics centre in eastern China's Zhejiang province received particular recognition for having "set and exceeded" its own high standards for environmental friendliness.

Launched in July this year, the 55,000 square metre facility forms an important part of Tesco's commitment to become a zero carbon business by 2050.

For example, the innovative design of Tesco's new logistics centre uses 45% less water and electricity in comparison to a normal warehouse, and carbon emissions have also been reduced by at least 35%.

Commenting on the award, Helen Fleming, Group Climate Change Director at Tesco, said, "We are extremely proud to have won this award in China. As one of the world's leading retailers, we recognise our responsibility to protect the environment and we have made great strides in reducing our emissions in China."

Please click here to read the full press release by Tesco.

Tesco opens first green logistics centre in China

 

 
[Image courtesy of www.tesco.com]

Earlier this week, China Direct attended the opening of CBI member Tesco's first 'green' logistics centre in China in Jiashan, Zhejiang Province. 

 


The new 55,000 square metre facility features an integrated energy-efficient design which incorporates an extensive range of 'green' technologies that use renewable energy sources and reduce energy and water usage.

Tesco has set the target of becoming a zero-carbon company by 2050, and the new logistics centre in China will make an important contribution towards the realisation of that goal.

 

 

Speaking at the launch of the new logistics centre, Tim Ashdown, Chief Executive of Tesco China, said, "The opening of the Jiashan Logistics Centre featuring the latest energy saving technology marks an important milestone in the ongoing delivery of Tesco's climate change mitigation strategy in China, and sets a benchmark for our future projects. Designed based on our stringent global standards, it also demonstrates our long-term commitment to introducing best practices to propel our growth in China and enhance the local retail industry."

 

Please click here to read further details about Tesco China's 'green' logistics centre in the company's full press release.

All images courtesy of www.tesco.com

 

CBI Member AMEC wins major Chemical Project in Chongqing

 
[Image courtesy of www.amec.com]

CBI member AMEC, the international engineering and project management company, has been appointed by BASF Polyurethane (Chongqing) Company Limited and Chongqing Chemical and Pharmaceutical (Group) Holding Company Limited (CCPHC) as the project management contractor for the development of a new 400,000-tonnes-per-year MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) facility at Changshou, Chongqing, China.

This state-of-the-art facility will form the centre of an integrated chemical production complex operated by the Changshou Economic & Technological Development Zone. MDI is the main raw material used for the production of polyurethanes.

The value of AMEC's multi-million dollar three-year contract has not been announced but the overall capital cost of the complex will be over US$ 5 billion.

AMEC's role is to provide project management services and interface coordination in relation to the CCPHC and BASF facilities as part of an integrated project management team.

“The award and successful execution of this significant project will further strengthen AMEC's position as the leading provider of project management services in China,” said Ross Gibson, Regional Director of AMEC's China operations. “We are proud that AMEC has been selected to help deliver this project to the highest safety, environmental and low carbon emission standards.”

Shell & China's National Petroleum Corporation - latest news

 

[Image courtesy of www.shell.com]

Earlier this week, CBI member Shell and its partner China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) signed a Global Alliance Agreement as well as an agreement to establish a drilling technology joint venture.

The new joint venture will aim to develop an innovative, highly automated well manufacturing system that could better access natural gas deposits. 

Commenting on the partnership, Peter Voser, Chief Executive Officer of Shell, said, "CNPC and Shell are collaborating in a variety of projects globally with the aim of investing for profitable growth, and to meet the world's growing demand for cleaner, affordable energy.

The Shareholders Agreement for the Well Manufacturing JV underscores how Shell and CNPC are working together to develop gas resources using innovative and cost competitive technologies."

Please click here to read Shell's official press release and here for additional media coverage.

China Direct would like to thank Ben Cooper (ben.cooper@cbi.org.uk) for preparing this information.

CBI's Climate Change Tracker - UK government 'greenest' ever?

 

 
Yesterday, the CBI launched its latest climate change tracker, which is an interactive tool developed by the CBI in consultation with CBI members that provides business commentary on green progress made by the UK government and business community. 

According to the latest tracker, the UK government is at risk of failing to achieve emission reduction targets despite its ambition.

CBI Chief Policy Director Katja Hall said, "One year on from pledging to be the 'greenest government ever', the coalition has still not delivered the policy landscape needed to ensure we meet tough emissions targets."

The government has made progress in a number of key areas, including providing greater clarity on Climate Change Agreements and funding for the Green Investment Bank.

However, investor confidence remains low, and the UK has fallen from 5th place to 13th in a 2010 global ranking of low-carbon investment conducted by the Pew Environment Group.

The tracker shows that only one of the thirteen indicators is on track. Progress is lagging on the process of decarbonising buildings, transport and industry.

The CBI is calling on the UK Government to take a number of actions in the next six months, including:

     • Publish the Electricity Market Reform white paper by July, providing greater clarity on the transitional 
       arrangements for renewable energy
     • Finalise the nuclear Generic Design Assessment and designate the energy National Policy 
       Statements as soon as is practical
     • Incentivise businesses to invest in energy efficient measures by taking action to simplify the Carbon 
       Reduction Commitment (CRC) and wider issues of policy overlap
     • Enact the Localism Bill by the end of 2011 and include provisions to streamline the fast-track 
       process for major infrastructure and ensure that crucial sub-national infrastructure can be delivered

Please click here to read the CBI's full press release and list of recommendations and here to access the interactive climate change tracker.

China Direct would like to thank Ben Cooper and Alex Fergusson at the CBI's Beijing and London offices for this information.

China's hydro strategy - damned?

 

 
[Three Gorges Image courtesy of www.topnews.in]

China Direct would like to apologise to its readers for only contributing 2 articles this week on account of a visit to Japan. CD will also be in the UK for the next 2 weeks however will endeavour to keep China content flowing.

Today's piece looks at the very topical issue of the Three Gorges Dam and China's devastating drought - the worst in more than fifty years - with huge policy implications for the next generation of China's leadership.

China Direct would like to thank The Week In China for this article.

Download Return of the Dambusters 03.06.11