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13:23, 03-Dec-2017
UN official hails China's efforts in tackling air pollution
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China's "tremendous" efforts in reducing the level of air pollution in Beijing have been hailed by a United Nations environmental agency official.
Helena Valdes, a leading expert in sustainable development and climate change with the UN Environment Programme, told Xinhua in Nairobi on Saturday that China has shown great political will and decisiveness in tackling the issue.
Air pollution is something that many cities in the world struggle with. /Photo via Reuters
Air pollution is something that many cities in the world struggle with. /Photo via Reuters
"Air pollution is something that many cities in the world struggle with, but are unable to solve. But China has made commendable efforts to reduce drastically the amount of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere in Beijing," Valdes said on the sidelines of the UN Science Policy Business Forum on the Environment.
She said that China launched an ambitious program to begin cleaning the air of the capital city after scientists had identified the extent of air pollution.
The World Health Organization is currently monitoring the air quality of many cities, including Beijing, she said, and what is clear is that the Asian city has made tremendous progress in reducing the level of pollution.
According to the UN official, China has achieved success due to implementation of policies and measures that promote use of green energy as well as holding people accountable for delivering on set targets.
An 18-meter-long electric bus in Beijing. China has been promoting the use of green energy. /Photo via China.org.cn
An 18-meter-long electric bus in Beijing. China has been promoting the use of green energy. /Photo via China.org.cn
She noted that heavy industries were relocated from Beijing while residents were encouraged to use renewable sources of energy.
Valdes, who is also head of the secretariat of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), said that African nations can borrow lessons from China's experience.
She noted that the Asian nation has used a number of incentives to promote the expansion of green industries.
"There are a number of development banks that offer financial products to encourage entrepreneurs to engage in the green economy industries," she added.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency