Site Temporarily Down
You may have noticed a lack of activity on this site in recent weeks.
Since it has come to my attention that New Energy and Environment Digest (NEEDigest) is currently inaccessible in China, I have begun looking into alternative options for publishing NEEDigest online.
As soon as I have found a suitable alternative option, or NEEDigest becomes accessible again from within mainland China (where the majority of its users reside), I will resume posts and update this site accordingly.
Thank you for your understanding and for visiting NEEDigest, and please keep checking back for updates!
- Elizabeth Balkan, NEEDigest Editor and Moderator
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China’s Emissions Targets: a (Non)Reductionist Approach
The past week of events – from a U.S. Senate hearing, to remarks by China’s State Council, to high-level talks in Beijing – have scattered a layer of rich soil from which robust US-China cooperation on climate change might spring forth.
However, that soil is not uniform in content. The issue of quantifiable emissions reductions, central to continued bilateral discussions leading up to Copenhagen, is anything but homogeneously understood, as recent events demonstrate. (more…)
China’s Smart Grid Ambitions Could Open Door to US-China Cooperation
China's Power Sector Investment
China’s largest electric transmission company has announced an ambitious plan to develop a national smart grid by 2020 that would help utilities and their customers transport and use energy more efficiently.
Chinese Solar Company Plans U.S. Manufacturing Plant
China-based solar producer Suntech Power announced plans this week to build a manufacturing facility in the United States to serve the growing U.S. market for large-scale utility projects and to take advantage of government incentives. (more…)
Chinese Bamboo Keyboard Manufacturer a Local Green Design Leader
Jiangqiao Bamboo and Wood hails from China’s Jiangxi province, where bamboo resources are plentiful. Though the company began as a flooring company, they are now diversifying their production to include the latest in green design: bamboo keyboards.
Promises and Pitfalls
This article originally featured in China Dialogue.
Forging a new partnership between the United States and China can help address climate change, but only if regulatory and market shortcomings can be overcome.
China Floats Carbon Tax Plan as a Means to Curb Emissions
The Chinese government is considering imposing a pro rata carbon tax on coal and fossil fuels such as gasoline, jet fuel, and natural gas, Finance Ministry official Su Ming has told the country’s state-run media.
Bloomberg’s Ambitious Plan to Improve Energy Efficiency in NY Buildings
New York Mayor Bloomberg harnessed the green power of Earth Day to unveil a plan that would require NYC buildings – responsible for 80% of the city’s emissions – to undergo regular energy audits and retrofits, as needed, in order to become more energy efficient.
Fortune China’s “25 Powerful People in Business” Suggests Getting Rich, ESG is Glorious
For the fifth year running, Fortune China has published its “25 Most Influential Business Leaders in China 2008” list, the feature article in the April issue. As in the past, selection was based on “leading executives influential within their corporation and industry, and capable of changing things on a wide scale,” both in China and internationally, said the syndicate.
Guardian Article on China Emissions Plan Amounts to Wishful Thinking
Those who stumbled across the recent Guardian article “China Considers Setting Targets for Carbon Emissions” probably did not fall off of their seats like I did. But at the very least you might have involuntarily raised an eyebrow, or two, and thought “huh, now that’s a game changer.”
For people who monitor developments in climate negotiations religiously, this article was practically heaven sent. But, upon closer examination, it proved little more than a manipulated quote and a very sexy, if misleading argument.
Shanghai to Pilot China’s First Municipal Emissions Exchange
Annual CO2 Emissions
The Waxman-Markey bill signals Washington’s intentions to pony up to fund deforestation prevention as part of overall climate legislation. But will climate scientists, C-15 negotiators, developing countries and environmental groups agree on an international forest protection program that everyone, including the trees, can live with?
