Pollution Report Card

China’s “War on Pollution” appears to be paying off. The recently released 2016 State of Environment Report shows that groundwater quality has improved but there is still work to do with mixed news for rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Meanwhile, see how provinces fared in meeting their 12th Five Year Plan water quality targets with Greenpeaces’ Deng and Bao who share from their latest report. Environmental protection was significantly stepped-up in China with its new Environmental Protection Law (EPL), which has been in force for more than two years. What have the impacts been? Professor Wang from the University of Political Science and Law in Beijing reviews. Environmental laws and regulations can actually have adverse effects through creating a “pollution haven conundrum” – we explore the unintended consequences of these havens. Meanwhile, solutions to curb pollution continue to be developed. CTEG’s Liang & Zeng share how a key wastewater treatment plant can help pollution control in the PRD. Another solution as Derek Lam explains is a waterless, chemical-free toilet system that could help 2.4bn people. While there is concern over the US withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, it is encouraging to see China’s efforts on climate and water pollution. Here’s to China’s steadfast commitment on the Climate Agreement.