Mainstreaming Environmental Concerns into Development Projects and Programs Three Examples from ADBs

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Mainstreaming Environmental Concerns into
Development Projects and Programs Three
Examples from ADBs Work in PRC

• Bruce Carrad, Principal Project Specialist
  (Natural Resources), PRCM, Beijing
• 22 March 2005

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Examples from Three TA Projects

• Control and Management of Rural Non-Point
  Pollution
• Transjurisdiction Environment Management in
  Yellow River Basin
• PRC-GEF Partnership on Combating Combating Land
  Degradation

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1. Control, Management of Rural Non-Point
Pollution

• NSP from contaminated surface cropland runoff
  (fertilizers and pesticides), village sewage,
  agricultural solid waste, and livestock waste is
  massive and increasing
• All major eastern cities, regions affected
• Fertilizer/pesticides exceed crop requirements,
  leading to deteriorating soil and water quality
• Pollution levels will more than double by 2020
• Waterways and groundwater are affected
• No systematic monitoring, data are weak

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Mainstreaming Solutions

• A major problem in all OECD countries, and
  especially recognized from 1970s
• NSP is too complex for single policy solutions
• Combination of mandatory and voluntary policies
  proved most effective
• Reinforced via market-based measures charges,
  tradable permits, subsidies
• Institutional reforms, better coordination,
  improved data and monitoring needed in PRC

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2. Transjurisdiction Pollution Control in YRB

• Natural river flow decreasing and heavily
  polluted. Mostly class 5 water or worse
• Untreated industrial discharges the main cause
• No incentives for provinces to treat, manage or
  conserve for benefit of downstream users
• EPBs have primary responsibility for emission
  control and monitoring but are ineffective
• SEPA has national level responsibility but lacks
  control of EPBs and has inadequate capacity and
  resources

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Mainstreaming Solutions

• Similar problem faced by USA in 1950s/60s
• Also a huge country with similar geology and
  climatic range
• Long record of science-based solutions in context
  of central/state governments
• Policy/legal, financial and institutional reforms
  are relevant
• Educational changes, especially ecology
• Environment a legitimate concern, not just
  economic growth

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Mainstreaming Solutions

• Long term reform perspective needed for
  significant effect
• Bottom-up approach that involves all stakeholders
• Major institutional changes needed, especially
  legal framework for use of YR, SEPA/EPBs, permit
  system, monitoring, accurate reporting
• Education to promote common understanding of
  environmental goals and transboundary issues

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3. PRC-GEF Partnership on Combating Land
Degradation

• Land degradation is also a massive problem,
  especially in dryland areas
• Barriers to combating land degradation include
• Inadequate policy and legal framework
• Sector-driven fragmentation
• Poor application of lessons learned
• Undeveloped participatory approaches
• Perverse incentives
• Inadequate financial arrangements and incentives

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Lessons from international experience highlight
the need for

• An integrated ecosystem management approach
• Institutions working together
• Comprehensive, scientific, and participatory
  approach
• Better management practices
• A realistic time frame
• Outstanding examples are well documented (e.g.,
  USA, Canada, Australia)
• Common understanding is key
• Community-driven
• Partnership with Government

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• THANK YOU