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Clean Air and Energy
Projects in China
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been collaborating
with its counterpart, China’s Environmental Protection Administration
(SEPA), on environmental issues for over two decades. In December of 2003,
EPA and SEPA signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) (PDF) (10 pp, 375K, About
PDF Files], providing a forum for EPA
and SEPA to take a more strategic approach to our extensive cooperation.
The MOU established the Working Group on Clean Air and Clean Energy to coordinate
and facilitate the implementation of the Strategy
for Clean Air and Energy Cooperation (PDF) (5
pp, 306K, About
PDF Files).
Under the Clean Air and Energy Strategy, EPA and SEPA are working together
to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases (GHG). The Strategy focuses
on strengthening regional coordination of clean air and energy management
in key regions of China and addressing priority sectors affecting air, environment,
and public health (initially, the power and transportation sectors). These
focus areas leverage expertise and funding from a variety of other partners,
as well.
EPA/ SEPA cooperative projects include:
In addition to activities managed directly with SEPA under the MOU, EPA
also has a long history of collaboration on air quality and energy-related
activities with other government partners in China. These EPA projects with
other primary partners in China also support the Clean Air and Energy Strategy:
Regional Air Quality Management
Regional Air Quality Management
RAQM conference description 
The Air Quality Management (AQM) Assessment project explored the feasibility of applying U.S. AQM methods and technologies to a large Chinese city. EPA worked with SEPA and the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau to assess and compare capabilities at the national and Shanghai regional levels. The assessment included a broad range of air quality management elements, such as the development and use of an emissions inventory, the design and use of an ambient monitoring network, local and regional air quality modeling, development of control strategies, development of regulations, and public participation and outreach at the national and local levels. The project's principal activities include training, exchanges, and workshops, with an emphasis on building capacity in monitoring, inventories, and modeling. The project’s final report is at US China AQM Report (PDF) (171 pp, 3,255K, About PDF Files)
Beijing Olympics Air Quality Subgroup
To assist Beijing with its goal of having healthy air
for the 2008 Summer Olympics, EPA participates in the U.S.-China Joint
Working Group with the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games,
co-chairing the Air Quality Subgroup. Specific projects build on work
begun under the bilateral Clean Air and Energy Strategy. For instance,
EPA is cooperating with SEPA and the Beijing Environmental Protection
Bureau to pilot to demonstrate the feasibility of retrofit technologies
on diesel buses in Beijing to lower emissions, as well as the broader
benefit to air quality of using low-sulfur fuels. EPA is also supporting
efforts to develop a system to help decision-makers determine the most
cost-effective strategies for managing air quality in the greater Beijing
region. Additional efforts may include capturing and using methane from
local landfills and incorporating energy efficient products and building
design into the Olympic Village.
Air Quality Modeling and Emission Inventory Project
The first phase of Air Quality Modeling and Emission
Inventory project is aimed at building capacity and transferring technology
to Chinese scientists at the national and regional level. This project
supports a preliminary scientific assessment of the regional formation
and transport of ozone, PM, acid rain, etc. The second phase of this
bilateral cooperative project is to conduct pilot regional and urban
air quality modeling projects in three key regions, including Bohai (Beijing/Tianjin
region), Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai region), and Pearl River Delta
(Guangzhou/Hongkong region). As part of this effort, an air quality management
decision support system is being developed under a cooperative project
sponsored by the World Bank. EPA also plans to assist and train Beijing
municipal authorities in conducting an air quality modeling assessment
for air quality planning for the 2008 Olympics.
Integrated Environmental Strategies
The Integrated Environmental Strategies (IES) program
is building capacity in China to develop, analyze, and implement policies
that reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), improve air quality and protect public
health. The IES methodology enables developing countries to assess, quantify
and compare clean energy and transport technologies, policies, and measures
in terms of the local air quality and public health benefits, GHG reductions,
and other economic impacts. The methodology is being applied at both
the local (Shanghai and Beijing) and national levels. The project has
completed comprehensive co-benefits analyses in Shanghai and Beijing,
conducted national and local policy-makers’ workshops to discuss
results, published several papers in Chinese journals, and presented
results in several international meetings. Additional information on
the IES program is available at: http://www.epa.gov/ies/
Transportation Sector
Clean Fuels and Vehicles
EPA, as a founding member of The
Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles ,
signed a bilateral work plan with SEPA in 2004 to undertake an integrated
set of fuel and vehicle projects. These projects: 1) provide analytical,
technical and policy assistance in expediting adoption of ultra-low sulfur
vehicle fuels; 2) demonstrate retrofit technologies for existing heavy-duty
diesel vehicles and build capacity for replicating retrofits; 3) promote
the introduction of innovative diesel emissions reduction technologies
as quickly and cost effectively as possible, while providing confidence
in the emission reduction performance of the technologies; 4) assist in
analysis for and drafting of clean fuels and vehicles policies, standards
and guidance; 5) assist in compliance management strategies and implementation
to include manufacturer testing, recall, on-board diagnostics, equipment
verification, in-use testing, and more; 6) cultivate partnerships to introduce
advanced clean vehicle technologies into China; 7) provide visiting scholar
and training opportunities in EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions
Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and 8) provide in-country workshops,
training, guidance materials and public outreach related to clean fuels
and vehicles. More information about this program can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/china2.htm
Power Sector
Market Mechanisms to Improve Air Quality
Acid rain and ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide
(SO2) and fine particles (PM2.5) are major environmental problems in
China. The Chinese government has developed a number of policies to address
these problems, including the Total Emissions Control (TEC) policy. The
TEC policy restricts total SO2 emissions from all sectors of the economy.
The government allocates portions of the limit to individual sources
in the form of an emissions target.
EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs is helping the SEPA assess
opportunities and obstacles to implementing emissions trading programs
to control SO2 emissions. An emissions trading program would allow emission
sources to meet their emissions targets at a lower cost.
EPA and SEPA have completed a feasibility study (English, Chinese) that
explores many of the obstacles to implementing an emissions trading program
and presents possible solutions to these obstacles. The two agencies are
currently drafting a policy guide and building the institutions and infrastructure
for improved air quality management policies.
Advanced Reburn System Pollution Control
The Advanced Reburn System Pollution Control project
provides technical assistance on cost-effective control of nitrogen oxides
(NOx), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and other pollutants, such
as mercury, from combustion sources. The project includes a feasibility
study of the advanced reburn system technology for a candidate boiler,
the conceptual design and detailed engineering drawings, the manufacture
and installation of the reburn component, and system "shakedown" and
testing.
Cement Sector
Reducing Dioxins/Furans Emissions from Cement Production
China produces more than 40% of the world’s cement, and cement plants
are believed to rank among China’s top 5 sources of dioxins/furans
emissions. In addition, cement plants account for over 40 percent of total
industrial particulate (dust) emissions and between 6 and 8 % of carbon
dioxide emissions in China. Mercury and heavy metals may also be released.
EPA’s Office of International Affairs, Office of Research and Development,
and Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards are assisting SEPA to
develop a source inventory and emissions factors for dioxins/furans from
cement production; to develop guidelines for controlling emissions; and
to identify mechanisms for encouraging and funding companies to retrofit
highly polluting cement kilns with pollution controls. EPA is assisting
SEPA to develop emissions factors for dioxins/furans, as well as other
pollutants emitted by cement kilns, and to estimate the benefits of control
strategies.
Other Collaboration
Clearing the Air from Tobacco Smoke: Creating
Healthy & Safe Environments for Children
EPA and the World Health Organization (WHO) entered into
a cooperative agreement in 2000 to develop pilot programs to reduce childhood
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke . The WHO-EPA project uses a social
marketing module to train local leaders on the hazards of second hand smoke
and to develop community-level action plans. There are 5 cities in China
that will be involved in the project. Three of the action plans will be
funded by EPA and two will be funded by China's Ministry of Health.
Partnership for Clean Indoor Air
The Partnership for Clean Indoor Air (PCIA) addresses
the increased environmental health risk faced by more than 2.5 billion
people in the developing world who burn traditional biomass and coal
indoors for cooking and heating. EPA awarded two $150,000 grants to implement
innovative, community-based programs to reduce indoor air pollution from
household energy use in China. The grants were awarded to the Institute
for Environmental Health and Related Product Safety (IEHS) of the China
Center for Disease Control and Prevention and The Nature Conservancy
China Program. These grants are increasing the use of affordable, reliable,
clean, efficient, and safe home cooking and heating devices that reduce
people’s exposure to indoor air pollution. To learn more about
the Partnership for Clean Indoor Air and how it is improving indoor air
in homes in China and around the world, visit http://www.PCIAonline.org.
Voluntary Energy Efficiency Improvements
in Commercial Buildings
EPA is working with Chinese partners to build capacity
for achieving reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases
(GHG) and local air pollutants through adoption of voluntary,
profitable measures that reduce energy consumption in
commercial buildings. Currently focused in Beijing, Nanjing,
and Shanghai, the project promotes voluntary low-cost/no-cost
measures by owners and managers of commercial buildings
to improve Energy Efficiency (EE), and provides EE technical
resources through training seminars, website (http://www.epa.gov/eeBuildings),
and newsletters.
Energy Efficiency Labeling and Standards
for Products and Equipment
EPA is providing technical support to the Government
of China to enhance capacity to Establish and develop labels to reduce
pollutants through a voluntary EE labeling program similar to ENERGY STAR.
Specifications have been developed for over 25 product categories including
televisions, room air-conditioners, and printers. In addition, EPA supports
the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP) to provide
technical support to Chinese partners in designing and implementing minimum
energy performance standards (MEPS) and mandatory information labels for
appliances and equipment. Activities are co-sponsored with the Energy Foundation,
UN Foundation and other international sponsors.
Chinese labeling website: http://www.cecp.org.cn/englishhtml/index.asp
CLASP China: http://www.clasponline.org/countrysummary.php?country=China
Government Energy Management
EPA is working with the Promoting an Energy-efficient
Public Sector (PEPS) program to support implementation a major program
of government procurement of energy efficient products. This program
has supported the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and
Reform Commission in the development and, beginning in January 2005,
implementation a staged, 3-year program to establish energy-efficient
purchasing practices at all levels of government in China The program
builds on labeled products already developed under the Energy Efficiency
Labeling project above.
(http://www.pepsonline.org/countries/china.html)
In addition, EPA is providing training on low cost/no
cost building energy management measures to government partners through
the eeBuildings program (http://www.epa.gov/eeBuildings)
Wind Technology Partnership
The Wind Technology Partnership is a joint US EPA and
US DOE program in China to accelerate the development and utilization
of grid-connected wind power in China. The program is an extension of
the Technology Cooperation Agreement Pilot Program in China, where wind
power was one of four technologies selected by China as priorities. WTP
is being implemented by the US in partnership with China's National Development
and Reform Committee, China's Energy Research Institute and China's Center
for Renewable Energy Development. WTP is currently focusing on overcoming
institutional and market barriers to grid-connected wind power in China,
with a focus on Hebei province.
(for more information see: http://www.usctcgateway.net/programs/ProgramsDetail.cfm?LinkAdvID=43077#CHINA)
Methane to Markets Partnership
Under the multilateral Methane to Markets Partnership,
EPA is engaging in capacity building, and project implementation activities
in China to facilitate methane capture and use projects in the Coal,
Landfill and Agriculture sectors. For example:
- In the Coal Sector EPA funds the China Coalbed Methane Clearinghouse.
This Clearinghouse, housed by the China Coal Information Institute. The
Clearinghouse provides information and logistical support to private
businesses and foreign and domestic government agencies interested in
coal bed methane and coal mine methane development in China. Visit the
Clearinghouse's Web site at http://www.coalinfo.net.cn/ccii/eindex.htm for
notices about upcoming projects and activities.
- In the Landfill sector, USEPA is working with the Chinese government
to develop feasibility studies for projects in Beijing where landfill
gas is used as an alternative vehicle fuel. This work is being done in
coordination with the EPA’s Beijing Olympics Air Quality Subgroup.
For more information the Partnership or specific activities in China
please visit http://www.methanetomarkets.org ,
or the EPA website for Methane to Markets at http://www.epa.gov/methanetomarkets
Links and Resources
Contacts
For additional information on EPA's air and climate projects in China,
contact:
Vinh Nguyen (nguyen.vinh@epa.gov)
Kelly McAskill (mcaskill.kelly@epa.gov)
Office of International Affairs (2650R)
U.S. EPA
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
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