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General Information » Environment » Environmental Issues

According to the World Bank, 20 of the 30 most polluted cities on the planet are in China, largely due to motor vehicles and high coal usage. In 2005 it overtook the US as the world’s largest municipal solid waste generator. China’s booming economy caused it to miss its goal of cutting both energy consumption and pollution levels by 2006. As a result, it set up a task force under prime minister Wen Jiabao to ensure its environmental goals are met by 2010. Meanwhile, Shanghai has been underlining its green credentials with plans of its own to improve energy efficiency and environmental protection ahead of the 2010 World Expo (), which focuses on sustainable development and green cities. The plans include increased dependence on renewable energy and restrictions on private transportation. Among other advancements, public recycling bins now dot city streets and Shanghai has opened its first recycling centre for unwanted electronic items.



This excerpt was taken from

Shanghai Explorer
Series: Complete Residents Guides