In China, Climate Change Requires Rational Use of Water

With China becoming one of the largest emitters of CO2 emissions, saving water and controlling pollution are key climate change adaptation strategies in the National 12th Five-year (2011-2015) Plan.

A Workshop on the Low-Carbon Economy and Rational Use of Water Resources was held jointly by GWP China-Hebei and the Hebei Senior Scientists Association in Shijiazhuang City on October 11, 2010. The workshop stakeholders worked out technical proposals to government agencies in the areas of water saving technologies, economic incentives, and increasing the efficiency of water supply (e.g., metering, zoning, reduction in leakage, etc.). Read more.

The pillar industries of Hebei Province are iron and steel that cause high coal consumption and carbon dioxide emission. The province’s water is also insufficient. The workshop focused on solutions to a low carbon economy and more specifically how to use alternative sources of energy including hydropower.

There were 30 presentations – ranging from water saving methods in agriculture and urban sectors, issues of water demand and water supply efficiency, water scarcity and agriculture, droughts and floods, to solid waste management (one on “white” plastic garbage), alternative sources of energy (solar energy supply in public sector), and pollution control.

The workshop involved more than 80 participants from the scientific and academic community and included provincial authorities from such sectors as water, meteorology, agriculture, forestry, transportation, electric power, environmental protection, construction, and land resources. The workshop received support from GWP China, Hebei Provincial Science and Technology Association, Hebei Provincial Department of Water Resources, and Hebei Provincial Power Grid Corporations.