It Pays to Think Big

A green global player:
China’s trade and investments contribute to global efforts to develop within one planet by 2020

Our own back yard:
China transforms its domestic economy through innovation to mainstream sustainable development by 2020.

China is the new frontier, a country defined by its speed of change and innovation. The world has a stake in how China develops. Rethinking global roles and misperceptions, adopting best practices and preserving traditional pragmatism will transform China into a global leader in sustainability.

An economic powerhouse:
The country’s breakneck economic growth is well known, but how some of that money is spent may surprise you. In 2007, China invested around 12 billion USD in renewable energy, just behind world leader Germany at 14 billion.
The future: China to build a greener economic structure and make smart investments to secure a low-carbon and post-fossil fuel future.

The “world’s (green) factory”:
China is becoming a leader in low-carbon solutions. It is the largest manufacturer of solar photovoltaic technology and domestic solar companies have a market value of 15 billion USD.
The future:China’s “green factory” to develop and export energy efficient products, making it more affordable for emerging countries.

The footprint of trade:
Trade and investment from China to Africa has increased dramatically over the past decade, accompanied by large-scale environmental impact from resource extraction. But government bodies including the State Council and the Ministry of Commerce have created strong incentives for Chinese companies to address their footprint overseas.
The future:Through South-South cooperation, China and Africa can promote growth while implementing stronger environmental practices.

China for a Global Shift Initiative: Our Approach

Respected by decision makers and the community, WWF is in a strong position to support China towards development within the limits of one planet. The China for a Global Shift Initiative works to engage leading Chinese actors in key sectors like energy production, trade and finance, in China and abroad.

Our 4 main strategies and objectives are:

1. Building political support to address footprint:
Influence China’s economic planning process to build footprint concepts into key Chinese government policies for improved resource and energy efficiency.

2. Supporting sustainable finance:
Engage Chinese banks and financial authorities to implement sustainable investment policies and build greener economic structure.

3. Driving responsible trade:
Push rigorous environmental standards and operations into China’s Foreign Direct Investment to improve natural resource use.

4. Mainstreaming innovative products and services:
Drive China’s capacity to produce resource efficient goods at low prices to help reduce footprints of China and other countries.

Spotlight: Chinese Banks Move Towards Sustainability

A top priority:
WWF works with key regulatory bodies and leading banks in China to address environmental concerns in the policymaking process.

Building platforms:
WWF held the first “Finance, Environment and Development Forum” in Beijing in May 2009. This forum brought government officials, business leaders and policy experts together to share knowledge and ideas.

China’s Footprint

In 2008, WWF released the first report on China’s “ecological footprint “, a term previously little known in China. The report launched the ecological footprint concept into high-level government and mainstream media.

Click here to download the report

Sustainable Banking

WWF co-produced the first high-level government analysis is on sustainable development and China’ s banking sector. This publication indicates the Chinese government’s strong commitment towards a sustainable future.

Click here to download the report