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The Circular Economy: A New Development Strategy in China
Author(s) -
Yuan Zengwei,
Bi Jun,
Moriguichi Yuichi
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of industrial ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.377
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1530-9290
pISSN - 1088-1980
DOI - 10.1162/108819806775545321
Subject(s) - beijing , china , science park , environmental pollution , library science , reuse , political science , geography , engineering , environmental protection , archaeology , computer science , waste management , law
Activities over the past several years, however, clearly show that CE is emerging as an economic strategy rather than a purely environmental strategy. The major objective of the government is to promote the sustainable development of economy and society, while it also helps to achieve sustainable environmental protection. powers, increasing the wealth of the population and providing employment and business opportunities. The rapid economic growth, however, has engendered serious natural resource depletion and environmental pollution, and the continuing increase of population has exacerbated this situation greatly. Recent research has pointed out that growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) in China has significantly reduced the opportunities of future generations to enjoy natural and environmental resources.1 The central government promised in 2002 to build a prosperous society in a comprehensive way by 2020. By then, GDP per capita is anticipated to reach U.S. $3,000 and the total GDP to quadruple. Obviously, it is unrealistic for China to expect to realize this ambitious objective in terms of natural resource use if it continues its current development pathway, with population increasing to 1.45 billion in 2020 (Qu 2004), low productivity, and the absence of eco-efficiency.