Author Archive

Report on Industrial Relations and Working Conditions in IMF-related TNCs in China

Abstract The International Metalworkers’ Federation(IMF) commissioned research on industrial relations and working conditions in metal sector transnational companies in China to examine the current situation. The research finds most workers surveyed as part of the study at foreign invested plants in China have very little understanding of what a trade union is or its capacity to represent workers’ interests. The research also found that while working conditions at foreign invested metal sector plants are better than average factory working conditions in China, only one third of factories surveyed had a trade union present. The investigation included research into the working conditions inside 27 factories with foreign investors including Daimler Chrysler, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Toyota, Nokia, Delphi, Bosch, General Electrics, Electrolux, Panasonic and Flexitronics. The research was undertaken by the Hong Kong-based Asian Monitor Research Centre. IHLO was one of the local research partners and IHLO staff formed part of the steering group wroking on the project.
Author Asia Monitor Resource Centre (AMRC) and International Metalworkers’ Federation(IMF)
Publisher
Link http://www.imfmetal.org/files/07050810105979/IMF_china_report_EN.pdf
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8 Energy Intensive Industries, 8.5.2 Metalwork

The True Cost of Coal in China: Air Pollution and Public Health

Abstract Coal combustion emissions pose a significant threat to public health, causing an estimated 500,000 premature deaths in 2008. Its related diseases include respiratory disease, cancer, and birth defects, all of which are very much part of the real cost of China’s over-reliance on cheap coal.
Author Greenpeace China, Beijing
Publisher
Link http://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/publications/reports/climate-energy/2010/report-coal-health-summary/
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2 Coal, 2.3 Coal and the Environment

The True Cost of Coal in China: Coal Dust Storms: Toxic Wind

Abstract Dust is not the only makeup of China’s infamous sandstorms, which also contain toxic pollutants from coal combustion. Sandstorms can disperse coal ash – containing arsenic, selenium and lead – far from their origin in coal-industry areas to eastern China, posing health and environmental threats to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
Author Greenpeace China, April 2011, Beijing
Publisher
Link http://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/publications/reports/climate-energy/2011/coal-ash-dust-storm/
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2 Coal, 2.3 Coal and the Environment

The Small Hydropower Development Projects in Zheijiang Province

Abstract The small hydropower development projects in Zhejiang province are the important parts of CRESP project. There is relatively abundant water resources in Zhejiang Province. After inspection, the Chinese government and the World Bank concluded that Zhejiang is the most suitable pilot province to carry out the small hydropower projects of CRESP. According to the project implementation plan, the Zhejiang small hydropower projects are composed of two parts, which are the new constructed projects and the reconstructed projects after being scrapped (including transformation), involving the Anji County, Tiantai County, Xianju County, Pan’an County and other counties (cities, districts). The GEF grants which support small hydropower stations are mainly used for the pre-development of small hydropower stations newly built and the exploration in technological progress of old small hydropower stations reconstruction,mainly including: investor project evaluation, feasibility studies, project design, management and support, etc.
Author China Renewable Energy Scale-up Programme (CRESP), Update date：2011-7-8
Publisher
Link http://www.cresp.org.cn/english/content.asp?id=1480
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4 Hydropower, 4.1 Documents from Chinese Governmental Institutions

China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research

Abstract There are links to a number of important reports. However, they are not available online, but are available for purchase.
Author
Publisher
Link http://www.iwhr.com/english/Publications.asp
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4 Hydropower, 4.1 Documents from Chinese Governmental Institutions

3 Gorges Dam Bulletins issued by the Ministry for Environmental Protection

Abstract reports, going back to 2003 all the way up to 2011. 
Author
Publisher
Link http://english.mep.gov.cn/standards_reports/threegorgesbulletin/
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4 Hydropower, 4.1 Documents from Chinese Governmental Institutions

The International Center on Small Hydro Power (ICSHP), under the auspices of UNIDO, is coordinating a report on the worldwide development status of small hydro power (SHP)

Abstract The aim of the report, as a contribution to global renewable energy, is to give a global overview of the status of SHP and thereby inform SHP practitioners, policy- and decision-makers, investors, as well as those interested in clean, renewable and local energy and sustainable development. The idea to compile a comprehensive global report on small hydropower came up, since a lot of scattered information already exists on small hydropower at project, country and regional levels, as well as in different languages; however a comprehensive reference publication for decision-makers, managers and potential investors has been missing. In order to more effectively promote small hydropower (SHP) as a renewable and rural energy source and overcome existing barriers, it is essential to identify its development status in the different regions and engage the stakeholders to share existing information and experiences. Most of the contributions had been submitted by June 2012 and are currently being edited followed by peer-review. The World SHP Development Report will be published and printed with the support of UNIDO and is expected to be available to the public by the end of this year – downloadable from the IC-SHP homepage. The report will include an overview for each region (i.e. Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America); the country status of over 140 countries on SHP development as well as case studies featuring technology, finance options and other topics.
Author The International Center on Small Hydro Power (ICSHP), UNIDO
Publisher
Link http://www.inshp.org/Img_Lib/UploadImg/201252511584551.pdf
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4 Hydropower, 4.3 Additional reports from civil society organizations

The Reform of the Urban Water Supply in Southern China

Abstract This report is not explicitly related to hydroelectric dams, but is an important piece on a related issue: the politics of water more generally. Problems associated with China’s urban water supply before its reform included water shortages, aggravation of water pollution, capital shortage, poor management, poor coverage, and low efficiency of water usage. The Chinese government, together with the support of international agencies such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), assumes that the privatization of water will solve these problems. In late 2002, the Chinese government expressed her full-fledged commitment to private involvement in water management by issuing a document encouraging local authorities to open their water market to private capital and foreign investments. During the following period, we can observe many major movements in the water industry, such as large-scale contracts obtained by transnational water giants like Suez and Veolia, and the rise of local water corporations such as the Beijing Capital Group and Shenzhen Water Group. In the process of reformation, what we have seen is not only the transfer of operating rights or infrastructure from state-owned-enterprises (SOE) to for-profit private companies, we also have observed that water is increasingly being managed according to commercial criteria, which demonstrates the government’s fundamental conceptual change regarding water — from a common good to a trading commodity. It leads us to ask: Who has the control over precious water resources and services? How can we ensure an equitable, as well as a sustainable water use? What are the roles of the government in water supply? And what are the roles and places of people?
Author Globalization Monitor/Transnational Institute, Hong Kong, March 2009
Publisher
Link http://www.globalmon.org.hk/en/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/water-privatization-in-south-china_mar09.pdf
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4 Hydropower, 4.3 Additional reports from civil society organizations

Interview with Sun and Xu, At fault on the Nu River

Abstract As China gears up for a hydropower push in its earthquake-prone south-west, it should pause to consider events in Japan, two geologists tell Liu Jianqiang on World Water Day. With the ongoing crisis at its earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant, Japan is paying a heavy price for ignoring “large-scale environmental evaluations”. This is the assessment of two prominent Chinese geologists, Xu Daoyi and Sun Wenpeng, who told chinadialogue that the incident holds important lessons for China.
Author China Dialogue
Publisher
Link http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/4174-At-fault-on-the-Nu-River
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4 Hydropower, 4.3 Additional reports from civil society organizations

Averting a Nightmare on the Nu

Abstract Once-defeated plans to build a cascade of dams on China’s Nu River are regaining momentum. Katy Yan took a journey to Yunnan to find out what’s at stake.
Author Katy Yan, China Dialogue, May 26 2011
Publisher
Link http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/4314
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4 Hydropower, 4.3 Additional reports from civil society organizations