Second tier cities of China are growing at a rapid pace. A package of four green projects has been designed in order to clean and develop these cities. This certainly is a big drive and also requires lots of funds. The good news is that the Asian Development Bank of China is pumping in $600 million for the successful implementation and completion of this project.ย ย ย
What are these projects all about?
The projects have been designed in a manner such that the waste can be recycled and transformed into clean energy, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. It also caters to expanding Eco-friendly transport and protection of fragile wetland areas. Robert Wihtol, director general of ADBโs East Asia department said,ย โThese four projects support PRCโs transition to a lower-carbon growth path built on a long-term commitment to green urbanization, better energy efficiency, and environmental preservation, we still have a long way to go, but with forward-looking planning and investment, the Chinese cities of the future can have clean air, blue skies, clean water and more green areas.โ
The grant of US$ 600 million, has been very carefully divided between the consortium of these 4 projects. Out of the total amount US$ 200 million is dedicated towards the development of biomass plants. These plants convert agricultural and municipal waste into clean energy.ย This plant will benefit people in many ways:
- The entire process will ensure supply of reliable green energy to millions of people residing in Anhui, Jiangsu, Shandong and the southern province.
- The process will ensure a healthier and cleaner living environment.
- Greenhouse gas emissions will drop to as low as 638,000 tonnes per year.
Another, US$ 150 million is dedicated towards the expansion of district heating systems. These heating systems are mainly required in the northeastern Heilongjiang province, temperature in this area during winters falls down to as low as -40 degrees. As of now, a majority of the houses in this region are dependent on coal stoves for indoor heating. This age old methodology pollutes the environment way too much, leading to many health problems and respiratory diseases. Expansion of the heating system will ensure that these houses are benefited and a major polluting factor will get eliminated ensuring many healthy lives.
The remaining US$ 250 million, has been divided between Western Gansu Province two poorest cities and urbanization of emerging towns in Liaoning asย US$ 100 million and US$ 150 million respectively. The funds will be utilized to create better infrastructure in both the regions.
