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China
The confluence of rapid industrialization, economic growth, and urbanization, with the consequent air pollution and associated greenhouse gas emissions has made China an important partner for the IES program. While work to link health benefits to air pollution abatement in China is not new, the IES program adds a comprehensive process that engages policymakers and leaves in place sufficient analytical capacity for continued work in the future. All of the analytical work is planned and conducted by in-country experts, with assistance from the international IES community.
The IES-China program began as an assessment of energy options and health impacts in major Chinese cities, of which Shanghai was the first. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) originally supported this local study concept through a partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the China Council of International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) in early 1999. The work was conducted in consultation with China’s State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
In April 1999, EPA’s Administrator signed a series of Statements of Intent with the Minister of SEPA. One of these expanded the ongoing WRI-CCICED project into a broader, national program by creating a partnership to “Assess Benefits of Programs to Reduce Air Pollution and Protect Public Health in China.” The IES-Beijing team completed its study in 2005. Now a national assessment is underway. Information specific to the Shanghai, Beijing, and China National Assessment IES programs can be found on individual Web links.