China has both the capacity and the need to become a global leader in sustainable development and innovation in environmental technology. Environmental Innovation in China acknowledges many of the mistakes that have been made in the past where economic development has resulted in pollution to land, air and water but more importantly it presents a blueprint for the future with the recommendation that a National Environmental Innovation Action Plan is established.
In addition, to achieve a more effective nationwide regulatory environment and to bolster public participation the creation of a National Environment Information System that would be managed by the new Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Preface
- A National Environmental Innovation Action Plan - Executive Summary Task Force
Chapter 1. Introduction
- Innovation, environment, and development: challenge and opportunities
- China at a transformative point on environment and development
- How an environmental innovation strategy can help
- Innovation challenges
- Conclusion
Chapter 2. Current state of China's environmental protection
- Brief history of accomplishments and failures related to innovation
- Achievements of governmental programs and projects
- Diffusion of innovative technology has boosted the level of environmental protection
- Desulfurization
- China's medium- to long-term science and technology plan
- Case histories
- Conclusion
Chapter 3. Technology innovation for environment and sustainable development
- Environment and competitiveness
- Environment and economic growth
- The innovation process
- Basic research
- Biofuels
- Photovoltaics
- Quantum computing
- Applied research
- Pre-commercial research and new company creation
- Demonstration and niche deployment
- Widespread deployment/diffusion
- Innovation ecosystem: another look at the innovation process
- Global learning networks
- Enterprise forum
- Multinational enterprises and investment
- Creation of innovative SMEs
- Venture capital in the field of clean technology
- China's environmental and sustainable development paradigm: the "China Advantage Model"
- Creative mindset
- Selected needs and technology for the future
- Clean and efficient transport technologies
- Solar cells, photovoltaics, solar thermal technology, and enhanced geothermal systems
- Wind power and new nuclear power systems
- Carbon capture and sequestration, integrated gasification combined cycle and clean coal
- Desalination of saline water
- High-efficiency buildings, infrastructure, and conservation
- Ecological conservation, reforestation, and grassland development
- Key technological aspects in the development of the recycling economy
- Biofuels and bioproducts
- Conclusions
Chapter 4. Environmental innovation system of China
- University and government research institutes
- Domestic enterprises
- Industry - academic linkage
- Role of the government
- Global linkages
- Conclusion
Chapter 5. Regulation, standards, and enforcement
- Need for enforcement of regulations and standards to drive innovation
- Creating a market for clean technology
- Leapfrogging and standards
- Enforcement
- The US Toxic Release Inventory (TRI): a strategy to promote citizen involvement
- China's GreenWatch program
- International standards
- National environment information system
- Conclusion
Chapter 6. Public participation and environmental innovation
- Why public participation is needed
- Public can play a role
- How can the public participate?
- Public accessing information
- Public hearing and supervision
- Give full play to social communities, NGOs, and volunteers
- Education and training and publicity of the public
- Conclusion
Chapter 7. Conclusions and recommendations
- Technology innovation for environmental protection and sustainable development
- Strengthen China's basic research capacity
- Selected fields requiring innovation and funding
- Create environmental innovation support networks and industry sector research institutes
- Public procurement
- Greatly upgrading SME's innovation capability
- Innovation financing must be available
- International cooperation/global learning networks
- Intellectual property rights and leapfrogging
- Create experimental innovation laboratories
- Regulations, standards, and enforcement
- Create the market
- Create a national environment information system
- Improve policy coordination between various departments and institutions
- Give local governments incentives to become best performers
- Public participation
- Increase public awareness
- Public involvement in local environmental protection
- Make civil society a key actor in the environmental innovation system
- More emphasis on innovation in the education system
David Strangeway is President Emeritus of The University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto, and the founder, first president, and first chancellor of Quest University Canada. A geophysicist by training, he once served as NASA's Geophysics Branch chief, in which post he was responsible for the geophysical aspects of NASA's Apollo missions. The author of numerous research papers, he is the recipient of numerous awards for his scientific work, including the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 1972.
Liu Xielin is a professor in the School of Management at Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CHINA. A former visiting fellow at the Sloan School of Management, MIT, currently he is a professor in the National Research Center for S&T for Development, Ministry of Science and Technology and Vice President of the Chinese Association of Science and S&T Policy. His research mainly involves innovation policy and management of technology and innovation. The author of many papers and several books on research policy, technical innovation, management studies, and technology management, he currently serves as an Associate Editor of the African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation & Development.
Feng Zhijun is Vice-Chairman of the 8th Central Committee of the China Democratic League, China.