¡i©ú³ø±M°T¡jSustainable development is the pursuit of environmental, societal and economic developments in a balanced manner to make sure that the next generation will not be deprived of their resources.

International community join hands to combat climate change

According to the Fast Facts on Climate Change in China published by the United Nations Development Programme in 2015, China surpassed the US in greenhouse gas emission in 2007. To develop green industries and raise the public's awareness about climate change, the Programme is running a series of initiatives in mainland China, which include helping manufacturers produce energy-efficient bricks and a partnership with the Xinjiang municipal government and enterprises for the development of the biofuel industry.

The decreasing rate of plastic recycling in HK

Waste recycling is an industry that promotes sustainable development. However, due to the lack of a market for recycling waste, most of the plastic collected is sent to mainland China. In February 2013, the mainland customs launched an operation, barring plastic waste that did not meet the Chinese standard and might pollute the environment, as well as electronic waste, from entry in order to protect the environment.

Lau Yiu Shing, Chairman of the Hong Kong Recycled Materials & Re-production Business General Association Ltd, says that as plastic is a by-product of petroleum, the falling oil prices in recent years have made recycled plastic pellets much less competitive. The tightening of policies of the entry of recycled waste in mainland China has also caused a decline of the recycle rate of plastic in recent years.

Mainland and Hong Kong's cooperation in "Green finance"

Many green start-ups in mainland China have been unable to launch IPOs in Hong Kong due to all kinds of restrictions. In response, the Financial Services Development Council published "Hong Kong as a regional green finance hub"(¡mµo®i­»´ä¦¨¬°°Ï°ìºñ¦âª÷¿Ä¤¤¤ß¡n) in May 2016, making eight suggestions concerning the development of local green finance. They include recommending the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong to change the existing procedures for handling IPOs and the issuance of "green bonds" by organisations under governmental and public institutions. These suggestions are aimed at attracting green enterprises in mainland China to go public in Hong Kong.

From the city of nickel to the city of flowers

Jinchang(ª÷©÷), a city in Gansu province, has China's biggest nickel ores(ÂìÄq). Despite the economic benefits, the reliance of nickel mining has led to the lack of diversity of industries. There is a danger of the city sinking into oblivion with the depletion of nickel. The industry has also led to massive emission of waste water, waste gases and solid waste. Following the mainland authorities' advocacy of proposed eco-cultural tourism in recent years, Jinchang has been moving from a nickel-based industry to eco-tourism since 2014. With the growth of lavender and the development of related products, not only has the focus of its economy shifted, but the city's landscape has also been improved.