In 2009, China surpassed the United States as the world's largest consumer of energy, and it now accounts for 22% of global energy consumption, as compared to 19% for the United States. As the world's two largest emitters of green-house gases, the cooperation between U.S. and China on energy and the environment is a high priority for both countries. As its industries and cities grow, China's energy demand will continue to increase. In response, China has adopted ambitious targets to improve environmental and energy performance, as well as new carbon reduction goals.

ISC believes that the U.S. and China must continue to work closely together to address climate disruption. The two countries have significant experience, technologies and services that can advance their joint efforts to address energy and environmental challenges and promote low carbon development. Taking advantage of expertise from a wide variety of governmental and non-governmental organizations, ISC's work is bringing cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environmental programs and practices to China, especially in two of the most industrial provinces, Guangdong and Jiangsu.

ISC, which entered in China in 2007, works with academics, technical experts, government officials and community members to implement our projects in the industrial, power, urban, governance and education sectors. ISC strongly focus on building institutional capacity and leadership by spreading successful resource, capacity building and best practice sharing on climate change mitigation, adaptation and sustainable development.

INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

China is prioritizing a low carbon and energy efficient economy with carbon intensity targets in its 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015). ISC's industrial sector programs focus on: building the capacity of Chinese industries to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint; improving worker health and safety; implementing energy efficiency initiatives; and conducting GHG accounting. ISC's programs support the introduction of new standards, proven tools and techniques through a comprehensive environmental and energy-focused curriculum in the Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Academies in Guangdong and Jiangsu. To date, two EHS Academies have expanded the pool of qualified EHS managers significantly, training more than 3,500 industry managers in energy efficiency, EHS practices, and GHG management. In connection with these efforts, ISC's partner, the World Resource Institute (WRI) has joined with key Chinese industries to develop new GHG protocols.

POWER SECTOR

Working with its implementing partners, the World Resources Institute (WRI), the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), ISC's programs help to identify and remove key policy and market barriers to increasing energy efficiency, and to stimulate and scale up public sector financing mechanisms for clean energy initiatives by introducing new efficiencies. Activities include supporting workshops which feature leading U.S. officials and international experts on demand side management policies for power sector regulators, and a pilot project that encourages Chinese industries to invest in energy efficiency measures.

URBAN SECTOR

Cities account for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions and are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In 2008, for the first time, more than half of the world's population lived in towns and cities. By 2030 this number will swell to almost 5 billion, 75% of the people on the planet. Helping these urban areas develop and transition to a more sustainable, low carbon economy will be critical to the global environment and the health and prosperity of people around the world.

Since 2008, ISC has delivered Climate Leadership Academy (CLA) peer-learning sessions all across the U.S. and have served more than 50 urban areas and 400 practitioners each year. In China, ISC has helped more than 30 cities in Guangdong and Jiangsu meet their energy efficiency and carbon intensity targets while advancing scientific development through practical peer-learning workshops and exchanges at past 3 years. Using the CLA approach, ISC continually works with Chinese cities to deepen and scale up successful clean energy models through peer-to-peer networking with US counterparts.

To generate public support for and commitment to using resources wisely, ISC also works with communities in Guangdong and Jiangsu to develop and implement energy efficiency projects in factories, schools, hospitals, and multifamily dwellings. ISC then encourages communities to work together to replicate similar activities leading to multiplying effect of energy savings and environmental improvement.

GOVERNANCE

ISC is strengthening the environmental enforcement tools of government by sharing international best practices to bolster information disclosure, citizen monitoring, risk communication, and resource efficiency. These trainings capitalize on the Chinese government's growing commitment to improving environmental management at the regional level. ISC is working with local and regional government officials in China to help them developing best practices in ensuring compliance with environment, health, and safety policies. We are also pairing government officials with international counterparts to help them learn directly from fellow practitioners..

EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Working in local schools, ISC is preparing the next generation to safeguard their environment by developing courses on resource efficiency and environmental health for children ages 9-13, and by involving the public, community and business leaders, and education administrators in their hands-on learning. Through teacher training and curriculum development, practical projects and resource guides, we are improving the capacity of universities and schools to advance sustainable development education. A network of schools and international exchanges connects teachers to one another and allow educators to share best practices.

For more information about ISC China programs, please contact Luna Lu, Communications Assistant at llu@iscchina.org.