Widening the horizon of Energy Performance Contracting in China

To eliminate the existing barriers to EPC practice, ISC is working with a group of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and local authorities to help spread the word. So far, we have helped more than twenty ESCOs to build up their technical expertise and knowledge of the market. Nengda Group, one of the ESCOs ISC is currently working with, has demonstrated a significant increase in capacity to tap into the public sector EPC market.

Embrace Sustainability, and Be a Smarter Manufacture

As a global community we recognize that we must grapple with the pressing challenges of deteriorating environmental quality and energy scarcity. This is not just a moral issue anymore. For example, the private sector increasingly realizes that taking on environmental stewardship and energy efficiency also increases their market competitiveness in the long term.

ISC Released the First Guide for the Development of Low Carbon Zones in China

Recently, the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) released the "Guide for Low Carbon Industrial Development Zones" which is the first guidebook of its kind in China. The guide is a set of practical quantitative assessment procedures and technical instructions to establish and evaluate low carbon IDZs.

Improving Working Skill, Perfecting EHS Procedure--EHS Academy Business Success Story (2)

Mr. Jiang Haizheng is a Safety Manager from an electrical appliance company in Panyu, Guangzhou. In the second half year of 2010, he received EHS training designed for Wal-Mart suppliers, organized by the EHS Academy at Lingnan (University) College, Sun Yat-sen University.

From a Chance Encounter to Concrete Results: ISC Supports Xiaolan Town in Developing a Low Carbon Future

In the summer of 2010, Ah Qing and Ah Yan from Xiaolan Town, Zhongshan City in Guangdong Province participated in a training course offered by ISC on EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety). These two young women were so interested in environmental protection and low carbon development they drove long distances and paid out of their own pocket to attend the course.

A Model Approach for Improving Quality of Life without Increasing Carbon Emissions

In 2011, the US-China Partnership for Climate Action (PCA) program, sponsored by USAID and implemented by the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), began partnering with the Yangzhou Municipal Government to undertake the planning and development of the former site of the Yangzhou Hinge Factory and surrounding communities. The goal is to turn a 4,134 m2 area overgrown with weeds, filled with debris, and with few amenities, into a vibrant place with community services and low-carbon enhancements.

The Man Who Plants Hope: How cultivating champions leads to replication and scale up of successful practices

Wu, in his early forties, looks young and energetic, but never aggressive. His goal has never been to gain fame among his peers; he is genuinely passionate about his career and the goal of better education for children. Luo Liqun, Director of Education Office at Guanlan, Shenzhen, once called Mr. Wu "one of the outstanding models for Guanlan's education workers."

A Small Step Makes Difference

Ouyang, Director of Renovation for Kaibang Motor Company, based in Doumen Township, Guangdong Province, has a big dream, and never misses an opportunity to invite others into his vision.His dream is for a greener world, where everyone lives a low-carbon lifestyle every day."I know it's not easy to bring this dream to life, but I'm making an effort to influence as many people as I can. Small acts count," Ouyang said

Start with Children for the Education Sustainable Development

When LUO attended the first Multi-stakeholder Committee (MSC) at Guanlan Sub-town, Shenzhen in the fall of 2009, she had no idea what education for sustainable development (ESD) really means or how to get involved in this program. But now, after more than two years working with the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), she has much to share about her path of bringing about change to the local school life and even to the education system as a whole.

Environment, our People: Health & Safety, our suppliers/Features
The EHS Academy: Where Local Improvement Drives Global Collaboration

GE and other multinational companies doing business in China are helping expand the pipeline of Chinese EHS professionals through the non-profit EHS Academy in Guangdong province.

Improving Working Skill, Perfecting EHS Procedure--EHS Academy Business Success Story

Yang YU, an EHS manager working for Fortune Electric (Wuhan) Ltd, faces many challenges in improving the EHS performance of Fortune's manufacturing facilities. Fortune produces large-scale transformers used in power stations and sizeable industrial plants, supplying its products to local Chinese firms as well as international firms like General Electric (GE).

Young and Old Community Members in China Inspire Local Action to Save Energy

In Doumen Township, not far from Macau in southeastern China, Zhao Jingjing helps her neighbors identify household energy savings opportunities. She explains how low-energy appliances, turning off unneeded lighting, managing thermostats, and calibrating water heaters can lead to lower energy bills.

Food: A Starting Point to Greener Lifestyle

On October 30, 2010, a Food Education Workshop, organized by Learning and Ecological Activities Foundation for Children (LEAF) from Japan, Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) and Green Point, was held at Zhenneng Primary School of Guanlan, Shenzhen, one of the three pilot communities in Guangdong. More than 40 students and their parents participated in the workshop, sharing the joy of cooking curry and learning about environment all together.

Sharing Experience with Hong Kong Counterparts

From August 17-19th, a group of 29 delegates, consisting of government officials, teachers and representatives from three pilot communities--Guanlan Sub-District of Shenzhen, Doumen township of Zhuhai and Sanjiao Township of Zhongshan, went on a study tour to Hong Kong, organized by the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) and Green Point. Environment educators from Hong Kong shared their extensive experience with their Chinese counterparts, inspiring new ideas among the Chinese educators to implement education for sustainable development (ESD) in the communities.

EPA Administrator Jackson Praise ISC China Program

Jackson highlighted the EHS Academy in China

October 12, 2010. A high ranking U.S. officials commended ISC China program during her respective speech. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson opened her speech, which focused on EPA's international priorities and its ongoing partnership with China on a range of environmental issues, by praising ISC's Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Academy as a model of collaboration that affects positive changes in human and environmental health.

Green Roofing Construction Sample Completed at Zhangge, Shenzhen

On July 16th, 2010, Institute of Sustainable Communities (ISC) Green Roof project went into construction at Zhangge Community, Shenzhen. Cooperating with South China University of Technology and the local government, ISC launched this project in Shenzhen in March, 2010, planning to conduct green roof retrofitting in Zhangge district on schedule, so as to cool down the indoor temperature and reduce the "urban heat island effect" in the area, which will finally reduce the use of air conditioners and improve energy efficiency. After months of consulting with experts and thorough investigation, ISC finalized the constructing plan and selected one residential building as a sample to start the project.

ISC's first international Climate Leadership Academies help Chinese officials develop strategies for low carbon city planning

As global climate disruption and greenhouse gas emissions become increasingly urgent problems, ISC is working in the U.S. and China-the world's two largest emitters-to help them reduce harmful greenhouse gases.

The Next Generation Takes on Climate Change

On November 13, 2009, in the town of Doumen, Guangdong Province, more than 400 primary school students attended an evening workshop celebrating energy efficiency along with their families, teachers and fellow community members. The workshop featured dancing, games, videos, and displays of student projects--all aimed at helping community members understand the impact of their individual energy choices.

Communities in U.S., China and Japan Share Best Practices in Energy Efficiency

From September 13-20, 2009, twenty delegates from China and Japan joined their counterparts in the U.S. to explore best practices in energy efficiency and education for sustainable development.

Rebuilding After the Sichuan Earthquake

ISC is helping people in Sichuan use the devastating 2008 earthquake as an opportunity to rebuild thoughtfully and sustainably, explore ways they can live and work in better harmony with their natural surroundings, use fewer resources, and build healthier and more resilient communities for future generations.

The Environment, Health and Safety Academy: Training of Trainers

China's Guangdong province helped spur the nation's economic miracle and remains a powerful engine of growth, generating 11 percent of the nation's gross domestic product. With our partner, Lingnan (University) College, ISC has launched a new Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Academy to expand the pool of qualified EHS managers serving factories in Guangdong Province.

Students and Citizens Complete Community Energy Profile

On June 12, 2009, teams of graduate students from South China Normal University paired up with primary school students from Doumen Township to go door to door gathering information on residential energy use and energy efficiency awareness. Survey results will help community leaders identify priority energy efficiency projects.

U.S. and China Educators Visit Japan to Share Best Practices of Environmental Education

The Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) exchange tour to Nishinomaya, Japan enabled representatives from each country to develop a common understanding of ESD and how to implement school-based programs at a community level. Chinese educators will apply what they learned to their work in China.