To move towards a more sustainable future, WWF is working with China to lighten its environmental footprint on the planet.
Reducing China's Ecological Footprint
A land of stunning contrasts
From glaciers to coral reefs, from deserts to tropical rainforests, China has one of the world's most diverse environments.
Within this varied geography, one finds the country's national treasure, the giant panda as well as many other species, including tigers, golden monkeys, Asian elephants, black-necked cranes and Yangtze river dolphins.
But China's rapid development has increased pollution and degradation of natural habitats, which is having deleterious impacts on the country's environment.
According to the China Ecological Footprint Report 2010 – commissioned by WWF and the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development – China demands two times what the country's ecosystems can sustainably supply to support its current population and level of economic activity.
To this end, we are:
But China's rapid development has increased pollution and degradation of natural habitats, which is having deleterious impacts on the country's environment.
According to the China Ecological Footprint Report 2010 – commissioned by WWF and the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development – China demands two times what the country's ecosystems can sustainably supply to support its current population and level of economic activity.
Treading lightly
WWF is working with China to lighten its ecological footprint.To this end, we are:
- Suggesting to establish metrics to measure the achievement of sustainable development
- Advocating reform of the financial system as a vehicle for driving sustainability in the economy
- Promoting more widespread use of renewable energy technologies, such as wind, solar, biogas and energy efficient wood stoves
- Promoting efficiency in all uses of natural resources
- Assuring the long-term survival of threatened species and their habitats.
Habitat loss is one of the panda's main threats.
What is an Ecological Footprint?
The Ecological Footprint shows the extent and type of human demand being
placed on the planet's ecosystems. It represents the amount of biologically productive land and water that is needed to supply resources and absorb wastes.
placed on the planet's ecosystems. It represents the amount of biologically productive land and water that is needed to supply resources and absorb wastes.
Going low-carbon
Shanghai is one of the cities participating in WWF's Low Carbon City Initiative
In a bid to develop greener cities in China, Shanghai and Baoding have teamed up with WWF on a Low Carbon City Initiative.
The aim of the initiative is to explore ways to de-link rapid economic growth and energy consumption in an effort to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of urban development. The focus is on improving energy efficiency in buildings, expanding the use of renewable energy, and manufacturing of energy efficient products.
The Low Carbon City Initiative is an example where government, business and NGOs, like WWF, are coming together to demonstrate clear actions for climate change solutions.
The aim of the initiative is to explore ways to de-link rapid economic growth and energy consumption in an effort to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of urban development. The focus is on improving energy efficiency in buildings, expanding the use of renewable energy, and manufacturing of energy efficient products.
The Low Carbon City Initiative is an example where government, business and NGOs, like WWF, are coming together to demonstrate clear actions for climate change solutions.
A Chinese women inserts a low-energy light bulb in her home in Shanghai.
A wind generator used to provide electricity for the WWF-funded Yangchai Lake Management Station, Lake Hong, China.
