Chinese environment reviews on polluting industries are of ‘low quality’
By ANISaturday, July 3, 2010
NEW DELHI - A document published on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), have revealed that 48 of the 282 construction projects were of ‘relatively low quality’.
“A majority of the 282 projects are either heavy polluting industries, such as petrochemical and metallurgy plants, or projects that are of high public concern, such as landfills,” The China Daily quoted the document, as saying.
According to the paper, the environmental impact reviews were conducted by 75 companies or institutions, among which 30 were found to be violating related regulations.
Most of the construction projects are either heavy polluting industries, such as petrochemical and metallurgy plants, or projects that are of high public concern, such as landfills.
Following the inspection, the ministry revoked the licenses of four companies, and asked the other 26 to modify their reports.
China’s Environment Impact Assessment Law, which took effect in 2003, stipulates that environmental review reports, usually used to assess projects’ potential impact on the environment and proposes measures to rectify problems, should be approved by environmental authorities before construction begins.
Statistics from the MEP showed it vetoed 49 projects with a total investment budget of 190 billion Yuan (28 billion U.S. dollars) over environmental concerns in 2009. (ANI)
