Beijing (CNS) -- Beiijing topped the list of 30 mainland provinces and municipalities in green development, followed by Shanghai and Qinghai, according to the 2011 China Green Development Index Report – Regional Comparison released in Beijing, September 24. Shanxi, Gansu, and Henan were at the bottom of the ranking.
The report was conducted by about 40 experts from Beijing Normal University, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, and the China Economic Monitoring and Analysis Center.
The Green Development Index is decided by three factors: 1) the degree of "green" economic growth; 2) the sustainable capacities of resources and the environment; and 3) the government's supportive strength, as reflected by the productiveness and resource efficiency of economic growth, both the protection of resources and the environment, as well as emission of pollutants, and the government's investment, management, and governance over green development.
Among all 30 provinces included, 18 are below the national average. By region, eastern provinces are greener, taking up eight positions among the top ten. Six middle provinces and the northwestern three provinces fell behind. Though the western region ranked in moderate places thanks to its rich resources and environmental sustainability, there is still a long way for them to go in terms of development.
This was the first trial in the Chinese mainland to adopt and compare green development indexes of all provinces. This scheme needs further modification and perfection, says Economist Li Yining. For regional leaders looking highly upon GDP figures, the report offers helpful advice.
Dr. Li added that despite natural limitations in some regions, they are still dependent on the local government's efforts on green development to advance themselves in the green economy.
China has adopted a series of comprehensive development indexes recently. In the Comprehensive Development Index Report released not long ago, for instance, all regions were evaluated on their development situation between 2000 and 2009. The index is aimed to move the attention from the economic growth rate to social betterment, environment protection, and public services.
The green development document is more in a civil sense at this phase, according to Professor Li Xiaoxi of Beijing Normal University. The future awaits regular reports on the fulfillment of strategic green development goals.
