"Recycling 1 ton of waste paper can produce 0.8 tons of good paper, which can cut down 17 trees, save 3 cubic meters of landfill space, but also save more than half of the paper resources, reduce 35% of water pollution. " At the Standing Committee meeting, Feng Pei'en Standing Committee on the topic of building a conservation-oriented society counted: "If the country's annual 14 million tons of waste paper can be recycled, you can produce 11.2 million tons of good paper, cut 238 million trees, saving 42 million cubic meters of landfill space; if the country's annual 5 million tons of scrap iron and steel, more than 200,000 tons of waste non-ferrous metals and a large number of waste plastics, waste glass, etc. can be recycled, and how many resources can be saved, how much pollution can be reduced?"
In Feng Pei'en's eyes, governments at all levels should play the role of attaching great importance to the construction and management of the recycling system of renewable resources, and formulate the various types of waste resources, collection, transportation, disposal, recycling management methods and regulations, so that all types of waste materials are recycled to the maximum extent possible or properly disposed of, to avoid the occurrence of environmental pollution and hazards.
Feng Pei'en called on the government to "exquisite system design" and economic leverage to encourage resource conservation, advocate green consumption, do a good job of open source and cut costs, especially to grasp the energy saving, material saving, water saving work. He said that although last year the National Development and Reform Commission issued a new "automobile industry development policy", which requires "guiding automobile consumers to buy and use" small-displacement cars with a displacement of no more than 1 liter. However, more than 60 cities across the country have introduced policies restricting or disguising restrictions on small-displacement cars, one of the reasons being that small-displacement cars are prone to emit exhaust fumes that exceed the standard.
"In fact, many city authorities 'limit small' 'subconscious' is worried that small-emission cars will reduce the city's 'taste ' and 'grade', which is clearly an insufficiently scientific view of development." Feng Pei'en pointed out that "the scientific approach should be through the strict implementation of tailpipe emission standards to promote small-displacement cars to upgrade technology, encourage the production and use of small-displacement cars in line with tailpipe emission standards. Small-displacement sedans save fuel and road surface, and it is hoped that the use of small-displacement sedans will become popular in the society under the advocacy and encouragement of government departments."
Feng Pei'en finally said: "Every citizen should abandon the talk of ostentation, set a broad, love face, compare each other's stereotypes, starting from the small things around us, saving every piece of paper, a degree of electricity, a drop of water, a drop of oil, a grain of rice, a piece of coal,...... don't look down on these around us! inconspicuous small things, if everyone will save resources awareness penetrate into every detail of life, 1.3 billion people will create amazing numbers, the construction of a conservation-oriented society will make a huge contribution."
Pan Jiazheng: Building a conservation-oriented society is the only way out
China faces a severe shortage of resources
To embark on the path of sustainable development, countries around the world should build a conservation-oriented society should be the *** same direction, and conservation should be a virtue for all mankind. But for China, this is especially important and urgent.
China is a large number of people and things not Bo. Now the level of development is still very low, per capita GDP is only one tenth of the developed countries, but also need to vigorously rapid development. China's population has reached 1.3 billion, accounting for 1/5 of the world, the peak will reach 1.6 billion or more, and the main resources of arable land, water, energy, minerals per capita, are listed in the world's last column. For example, per capita arable land is only 1 mu or so, 1/3 of the world average, and it is still decreasing, so it is extremely difficult to feed oneself. If we have to import 1/10th of the food we need, it will overwhelm the world food market. Another example is oil, for the world average of 1/10, if China according to the United States standards of consumption, the need for more than 5 billion tons per year, the world's production of oil are given to China is not enough. Others, such as water and important mineral resources, are now facing a crisis, and if there is no far-sightedness, the future is very dangerous. In addition, China's environment will not allow such depletion.
This shortage of resources goes hand in hand with serious waste and inefficient use of resources. Whichever way you look at it, the only way out is to build a conservation-oriented society.
Industrial restructuring is the biggest savings
According to China's national conditions and the spirit of the central government, China in the process of industrialization must be some for some, some development and some control, the transfer of low-grade industries to China is not to be rejected, the more the better. Those who pay for land, water, energy, minerals at the expense of a little economic benefits or foreign exchange industry can not be. Must speed up the pace of industrial structure upgrading, accelerate the transformation from traditional industries to new industries. The state should announce, at the expense of resources and the environment at the expense of economic development period has ended, the future to basically stop the development of high consumption, high pollution, low efficiency, low output industries, industries, provinces and regions in accordance with the spirit of the central government and the specific circumstances of the industrial system for planning, restructuring, reorganization, the introduction of the development of traditional and new industries and the process of replacing. Can no longer engage in those epitaxial, crude, low value-added production. The eastern region, in particular, should be the first. Adjustment and upgrading of the structure of the industrial system is the biggest savings, no matter how many difficulties must rise to the occasion to do.
This transformation can not rely on market behavior automatically completed, here, the government's macro-control is important. That is to say, the government should plan, guide, regulate, the use of policy, legal and economic means to guide and even force enterprises to embark on the right path.
Build a frugal society with scientific and technological development
To achieve new industrialization to information technology-led industrialization, from traditional industries to knowledge-based industries, as well as to improve production efficiency, reduce production consumption, and develop frugal products ...... need to rely on scientific and technological innovation and development. China must have a strong scientific and technological innovation capacity and invention achievements, scientific and technological innovation and development is the driving force and supporting force for China to realize the new road of industrialization. The state and society must greatly increase R&D investment, investment must be mainly used for developmental, applied and applied basic research, there must be inventions and patents into productive channels and guarantees, must be committed to the cultivation of talents and human resources development, otherwise all are empty words.
Let's take a look at the pharmaceutical industry, such a large country, there are not a few with independent intellectual property rights of the important special drugs and medical equipment, all to buy other people's patents, the cost of a few pennies a grain of medicine to buy a few dollars. China's pharmaceuticals seem to be only able to produce this calcium and that pill health care products I feel pain and shame, when will we have our own pharmaceutical industry ah?
To carry out national education, to establish the concept of saving is a priority
The construction of a conservation-oriented society is the whole party, the whole country *** with the task, we must have *** with the same understanding of the hands, in order to achieve the goal. According to the current situation, to carry out national education, set up the concept of saving, is really a pressing matter.
As the people of a socialist country, there must be some ideals, a direction, some contribution to society and the country, the pursuit of a way of life has a criterion. The criterion is the overall interests of the country and its people and the long-term plan. I always feel that many people, especially the younger generation, are not as aware of this as they should be. In order to carry out education for all people, we must first carry out national education and situation education, so that everyone knows whether the country can be revitalized or not, and that it is now a strategic and critical period, and fully realize that we are facing the serious reality of an overall shortage of resources. We must carry forward the traditional virtues of hard work and simplicity, diligence and thrift, and spurn the style of luxury and waste, so that the whole society will rise in positive spirit and fall in the evil wind. We must choose the right mode of development, the right way of life, and build a civilized, frugal, clean and harmonious society. As long as we conscientiously implement the guidelines of the central government and work hard together, we will definitely reach our goal, and the great cause of revitalization of the Chinese nation will definitely be accomplished! (Pan Jiazheng, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering)
Feng Fei: the construction of a conservation-oriented society can not just stay on the slogan
Interview with Feng Fei, director of the Department of Industrial Economy Research of the Development Research Center of the State Council -
Construction of a conservation-oriented society" This topic is as hot as the temperature of the summer of 2005, especially in the recent past, more and more forums and conferences around this topic to give people the impression that it is not only a theoretical propaganda of experts, scholars and government officials, but also to enter into the reality of everyone's life. Why will "building a conservation-oriented society" become a buzzword in 2005? What should China do to make substantial progress in this area? What role should the government play in this process? On June 17, a reporter from the China Economic Times exclusively interviewed Feng Fei, director of the Industrial Economy Research Department of the Development Research Center of the State Council, who is one of the main authors of the background report of the International Symposium on the Construction of a Conservation-oriented Society, which will be held by the State Council's Development Research Center on June 25, and who has been carrying out the relevant research in recent times.
Construction of a conservation-oriented society is the need of the basic national conditions in the new period
China Economic Times: The central government has already put forward a strategic policy of vigorously developing a conservation-oriented society at the Third Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee, so why does it seem to be getting special attention from all walks of life lately?
Feng Fei: The first reason why the central government has put forward such a strategic approach is that it is determined by the reality of China's national conditions. At present China is facing a theme of development, the goal is to build a moderately prosperous society by 2020. But in the process of development, new situations have emerged, one of which is the emergence of structural changes, and the other is the phenomenon of rapid urbanization.
In the process of China's rapid economic development, especially after the per capita GDP exceeded 1,000 U.S. dollars, the structural change is very significant. This change includes both changes in economic structure and changes in consumption structure. In terms of changes in economic structure, the accelerated development of heavy and chemical industries has emerged in recent years. The share of heavy industry in the value added of industry reached 67.6 per cent last year. Heavy industry is often a high-energy-consuming, high-resource-consuming industry, and its accelerated development has been the main cause of resource and energy constraints in recent years. From the point of view of changes in the consumption structure, especially the consumption structure of some urban residents are realizing the upgrade from the traditional "food, clothing, use" to "housing, transportation". Changes in the structure of consumption and upgrading has led to an increase in the intensity of resource consumption, changes in the direction of use.
Another new development is the phenomenon of rapid urbanization in China, with the level of urbanization growing at an average annual rate of more than one percentage point, equivalent to the transfer of 14-15 million people from the countryside to the cities and towns every year. Currently, China's urbanization level is 41 per cent, and it is estimated to reach about 60 per cent by 2020. Generally speaking, the per capita energy consumption of the urban population is 3.5 times higher than that of the rural population. Large-scale rural population transfer is an inevitable trend, which will inevitably increase energy and resource consumption accordingly.
There is also a basic national situation is China's per capita resources are insufficient. China's total resource reserves ranked 3rd in the world, but the per capita possession of 53rd, only 1/2 of the world's per capita possession. a large number of non-tradable resources such as water resources per capita possession of only 1/4 of the world average, by 2030, China's per capita water resources possession of 1700 cubic meters, may be classified as a serious water shortage of the country, at present, China is already a water-scarce country. With the development of the economy, our mineral resources domestic supply capacity, security capacity is also insufficient. Of the 45 important strategic resources, by 2020 we will have a serious shortage of nine and a shortage of 10. The so-called shortage refers to a resource's foreign trade dependence between 40% and 70%, and foreign trade dependence of more than 70% is a serious shortage.
China Economic Times: China's resource constraints should be said to have always existed, recently attracted particular attention is not related to this constraint to a greater extent?
Feng Fei: the second reason I want to say, is that China's current low efficiency of resource utilization, wastefulness is widespread, the recent resource constraints continue to increase the situation. On the whole, compared with developed countries, some developing countries, China's resource utilization rate is low. Of course, in the past 20 years, that is, 1980-2000, China has made obvious progress in resource utilization efficiency, especially in energy consumption, the cumulative energy saving rate of China in this period is 64%, while the international level of the same period is 19%. In the GDP to maintain an average annual growth rate of 9.6%, energy growth to maintain an average annual growth rate of 4.6%, to achieve the economic development of half by energy development and half by energy conservation goals. But in recent years, especially from 2002 onwards, the momentum of energy consumption growth faster than GDP growth, energy constraints on the economy began to appear.
In addition, China's resource waste phenomenon is very serious, the total recovery rate of mineral resources is about 30%, 20% lower than the developed countries. Some statistics show that China's urban water supply alone, the leakage rate of more than 20%. In terms of building energy consumption, China's energy consumption per unit area is equivalent to 2-3 times that of developed countries with similar climates. China's annual new construction area of about 2 billion square meters, greater than the sum of the new construction area of the developed countries, but energy-saving residential only accounted for 3.5 percent of the total. Therefore, in the process of rapid urbanization, if every year in a large number of high-energy-consuming buildings, and their use of the period are generally 70 or 80 years, not only on the current energy to cause greater pressure, but also will be harmful to future generations. It is important to address this issue now, and once the high energy-consuming buildings are built in large numbers, the cost and expense of changing them again in the future will be even greater.
The third reason I want to say is that the current environmental pollution in China is very serious. It should be said that China has not yet got rid of the old road of development before governance. Sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide emissions seriously exceed the carrying capacity ceiling. Sulfur dioxide emissions, for example, the environmental capacity can only carry 1520 tons, we have exceeded this limit, to 2020, may reach 30 million tons. With this kind of development by then, even if we achieve the economic indicators of a moderately prosperous society, but the degree of environmental damage will certainly be very serious, such a moderately prosperous is not the goal we are pursuing.
Fourth, from the implementation of the requirements of the scientific concept of development, we are still far from this goal. The current growth model, which is a high-intensity input of resources and pollution of the environment, does not have the sustainability of development. The current goal should be combined with the long-term goal.
How to make substantial progress in building a conservation-oriented society
China Economic Times: According to past experience, there are a lot of good ideas and good solutions that were hot when they first appeared, and then fewer and fewer people mentioned them, so how can we make the guideline of building a conservation-oriented society not just stay on the slogans?
Feng Fei: To make the construction of a conservation-oriented society does not just stay on the slogan, we must come up with feasible measures to make substantial progress. And to make substantial progress in building a conservation-oriented society, one must seize the main contradictions, and the second is the government to play the role of the tangible hand.
What is the main contradiction in building a conservation-oriented society? I think it is the resource constraints tend to tighten. And this tightening is caused by structural reasons. For example, in 1980-2000, China's energy energy consumption has seen a sharp decline in recent years, why the increase? Is it because the energy consumption per unit is increasing? No. In fact, the gap between the unit energy consumption of China's products and that of developed countries is narrowing. The problem lies in the structure, in recent years there has been an accelerated development of heavy chemical industry, the current contribution of industry to economic growth, nearly 3/4 (73.93% in 2003) from the heavy manufacturing industry. There is also a long-term problem, that is, China's primary, secondary and tertiary industry structure, the proportion of the service industry is too low, currently 33%, far below the level of 60% -70% of developed countries. Therefore, in order to solve the current energy constraints become stronger problem to solve the structural contradiction. The establishment of a conservation-oriented society should start from changing the mode of economic growth and adjusting the industrial structure. Overall, one is to establish a resource-saving national economic system, and the second is to establish a resource-saving lifestyle.
To establish a resource-saving national economic system, it is necessary to accelerate the development of the service industry. The service industry is divided into two kinds of production-type and life-type, in the past we developed mostly life-type service industry, while the development of production-type services is relatively weak. This is mainly due to the fact that the production-oriented service industry is subject to institutional constraints, such as transportation, communications, etc., the existence of a strong monopoly, market barriers, and so on. It is necessary to increase the development of production-oriented services in the future.
From the internal view of industry, the accelerated development of heavy chemical industry has its own regularity. Its formation mechanism and the upgrading of the consumer structure, the overall formation of the upgrading of the consumer structure led to the upgrading of the industrial structure of the situation, the formation of a number of high-growth industrial clusters. In this regard, the government should pay attention to the correct guidance, to take the road of new industrialization, rather than simply stifle.
China Economic Times: How do you think the government should guide?
Feng Fei: There are a lot of things the government has to do, and it is suggested to establish three systems first. First, establish a standardized, open and transparent project access system. From resources such as water, land, the environment and other aspects of the development of higher standards, to meet the standards of the project can only be on, otherwise it is not allowed on. Second, the establishment of backward products, processes and equipment elimination system. Third, establish a market access system for important energy-consuming products. For example, automobiles, take a strict type certification system, from energy saving, environmental protection, safety aspects of the car into the market to give strict conditions.
In addition, we should vigorously develop a circular economy and strengthen the recycling of resources. In terms of lifestyle, we should advocate a frugal approach, enhance the public's sense of worry and conservation, and guide reasonable consumption behavior.
Second, establish an effective economic incentive mechanism to form a long-term mechanism. From the policy point of view, the most important is the tax policy and price formation mechanism. Price formation mechanism must reflect two principles: one is to allow prices to reflect the scarcity of resources, so that the price to guide consumption and investment behavior; the second is to be conducive to the development of new technologies, new energy alternatives, the formation of new technologies, new sources of energy and alternative energy than the price relationship. From a tax perspective, the urgent introduction of new energy, environmental protection tax policy. For example, the fuel tax policy, in Europe, the United States have been implemented, played a very good role. However, China has not yet been implemented, to a certain extent, resulting in large-scale automobile consumption, luxury trend. Consumers buy a car only consider the one-time purchase cost, while ignoring the long-term cost of use.
In addition, to develop strict standards, key industries, products to develop energy efficiency, resource efficiency standards, products to regulate energy-saving design, especially in the building is more so. It is necessary to speed up the development of relevant laws, such as the circular economy law should be stepped up.
The government must play a leading role
China Economic Times: Almost all of your suggestions are aimed at the government, which means that the government's role in this process is the most critical?
Feng Fei: That's right. The issue of resource consumption has a strong externality, which will inevitably have to be played by the government. It can also be said that the biggest and most critical factor in the government, only the government to play a correct role, the government, enterprises, the market relationship can be well dealt with.
But at present, the government is lacking in many areas such as tax policy and laws. To a certain extent, it can be said that China's past achievements in economizing have relied on the market mechanism's fundamental role in allocating resources, thus improving the efficiency of resource allocation. However, the market mechanism and externalities are sometimes inconsistent, especially when there are major deficiencies in laws, standards, and fiscal and taxation policies, and the market mechanism fails to a much greater extent on the issue of resource conservation. In the new stage of development, the role of the government should be strengthened. Of course, to strengthen the role of the government does not mean that the government should be directly involved in economic behavior, but by it to provide conducive to resource conservation of the institutional environment, the policy environment, the final role or to rely on the market mechanism.
In short, in the construction of a conservation-oriented society on this issue, the government is the key, the market is the foundation, the enterprise is the main body, the whole society **** with the participation is an important guarantee.
I would like to emphasize in particular that the construction of a conservation-oriented society should be made a basic national policy in the new period, that is to say, population control, resource conservation, environmental protection **** with the new period as the basic national policy. This means that population control, resource conservation and environmental protection should be made a basic national policy for the new period, and that a system of assessment indicators for officials should be established on this basis, reflecting factors such as economic development, social progress, resource utilization and environmental protection, and reflecting the scientific concept of development, so as to radically change the practice of pursuing GDP growth unilaterally. This has long-term strategic significance. Because this can make the resource constraints tight and ease the period, in the resource constraints in large areas and constraints in small areas, in the central and local can realize the importance of saving resources, and put into action.
The unity of consumption and conservation
Actively expanding consumer demand and comprehensively practicing conservation are two important measures for the government to strengthen and improve macroeconomic control. These two measures may seem contradictory, but in economics there is an inherent unity. The *** with the role of the two, will strongly promote the sustainable development of China's economy, and promote the increase and effective use of social wealth.
The Chinese people have a tradition of thrift. In life, clothes can be "new three years, three years old, sewing and mending and three years"; in production, the promotion of repair and waste, so that some of the consumption of high, low output of antique machinery and equipment is still running with disease. However, modern economics tells us that "the virtues of the past can become the sins of the modern age." By exhorting people to tighten their belts and save, they can accumulate unemployment and poverty.
Consumption is the direct engine of production. Consumer spending is also the producer's income. Consumer spending can provide people with the first round of employment opportunities and income, the income from work prompts people to re-consume, and people's consumption and re-spending can create a second round of employment opportunities and income ...... Such a continuous process forms a virtuous circle of the economy, and "becomes a multiplier of the This continuous process forms a virtuous economic cycle and "becomes a chain of multipliers," whose utility is constantly amplified. Because of this, encouraging urban and rural residents to expand consumption has become an important macroeconomic control measures.
Since the encouragement of consumption, then can we consume without restraint? The answer is no. Everything has a "degree". The "degree" of consumption lies in the carrying capacity of resources and the environment. Resources are scarce, the environment is fragile, for the sustainable development of mankind, for the sake of future generations, people's behavior must be limited. It has been asserted that if the world's consumption reaches the current level of American consumption (including waste), the earth's resources and the environment simply can not carry.
The policy of "practicing economy across the board" is about limiting people's behavior. Saving is divided into saving in the field of production and saving in the field of consumption. Savings in the field of production are measured and regulated by economic efficiency --- that is, the ratio of inputs to outputs. Firms seek to produce more with minimal inputs. Producing the same number of similar products consumes more resources than other manufacturers, it reduces the utility of resources, and even belongs to the ineffective consumption, which is a waste of resources and social wealth. Many enterprises in China have a huge resource funnel, energy and resource inefficiency or even ineffective use of the phenomenon is more serious. Therefore, focusing on the conservation and rational use of energy and resources is an important issue related to the survival and development of enterprises and the sustainable development of the economy. In this regard, the state is bound to take macro-control measures, vigorously advocate the practice of conservation, civilized production, energy and resource conservation enterprises and individuals to be rewarded, energy-saving technologies, equipment, products to be promoted; those who fail to meet the standards to be punished, or even set the threshold of the ban.
Saving in the field of life is not about not wanting people to consume, nor is it about compressing necessary consumption, but about advocating proper consumption and civilized consumption. American economist Samuelson proposed that a consumer with a fixed income and facing a range of market prices, to make his consumption expenditure can be maximized to meet or maximize the balance of utility. "Satisfaction" or "utility" is generated by the use value of goods or services, to get the "maximum satisfaction" or "maximum utility "This is what we often refer to as getting the best value for money and making the best use of it. As consumers, it is reasonable and justified for people to demand continuous improvement of their material and cultural life. The Zuo Zhuan quotes an ancient saying, "Wastefulness is the greatest of evils." The boundary between good and evil in people's consumption behavior is between "utility" and "luxury". Beyond the "maximum utility" part is luxury and waste, such as, caused by bad consumption practices, a large amount of waste of food and drink; some big money to fight for wealth, waving money like dirt, and so on. By extension, beyond the objective conditions to engage in those who do not have much practical effect of the "image engineering", "performance engineering", etc., also belong to the wasteful behavior. Of course, "maximum satisfaction" is also limited. Drugs can bring "maximum fulfillment" to the hidden gentleman, but it is not allowed by the law of each country. People's consumption behavior must be subject to legal and moral norms.