The China Business Council for Sustainable Development, in conjunction with WBCSD and WRI, hosted an informational workshop, “Corporate Energy Conservation and GHG Management,” on June 1 in Beijing at the Kempinski Hotel. Approximately 100 representatives from CBCSD’s member companies, government agencies, and NGOs attended the workshop. Keynote speakers included NDRC representatives He Bing Guang, Vice General Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Li Liyan, Division Director of the China Climate Change Coordination Office; Yu Cong, Director of the Energy Research Institute; Yang Chao Fei, Director General of the Department of Policy and Law at the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA); and WRI President Jonathan Lash.

“The project, on one hand, gives business an energy conservation and greenhouse gas management tool with thorough implementation strategies to promote business energy conservation and GHG management, to achieve high efficiency, environmentally-friendly business development models, simultaneously bringing together every side for a sustainable development business opportunity,” said Zhai Qi, CBCSD Executive Secretary General. 

The event was divided into three sessions, featuring speakers from both international and Chinese companies and organizations to present best practices and experiences on energy conservation and GHG management. In the final session, the three program partners proposed an initial framework for the China Energy Conservation and GHG Management Program, marking an official launch to the voluntary initiative. 

“In the near future, we will join up with Chinese national energy efficiency and emissions reduction goals, combine every industry’s practical characteristics, involve enterprises to develop cutting-edge technology and management models that are beneficial to energy conservation and emissions reduction, at the same time meeting local developmental needs in solving environmental problems,” Qi said. 

A discussion session followed the presentation, and companies were invited to provide feedback. Qi added, “The ultimate goals are to promote Chinese enterprise greenhouse gas management proficiency and to realize the energy conservation goals set by the central government.” The program partners have started outlining the implementation plan for the energy conservation and GHG management program. Member companies of the CBCSD will be selected to participate in the first pilot group.