Chinese parliamentariens discuss environmental policy issues in Germany

Chinese parliamentariens from People's Congresses of various provinces visited Germany from July 2nd to 9th, 2007. The 10-member delegation headed by Yao Wenming, deputy General Secretary of the People's Congress of the Autonomous Region Ningxia, gained insights into “Ecological challenges in the 21 century: Environmental policy strategies, concepts and activities.”

At the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety the delegation learned about the federal government's environmental policy. The national sustainability strategy addresses climate and energy issues, promotes environmental friendly mobility and an ecological industry policy, and focuses on the preservation of biodiversity as well as the enforcement of environmental laws. Dr. Karsten Sach, head of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, explained that the government has committed itself to an ambitious set of climate and energy policy goals to be achieved by 2020; the aim is to continuously increase the energy efficieny.

The delegation exchanged views on the work of parliamentariens with members of the Committee for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of the Bundestag. The deputy chairwoman of the Committee, Eva Bulling-Schroeter (The Left) outlined the work of the Committee. Different political positions on the retreat from nuclear power were provided in controversial discussion among the party members Angelika Brunkhorst (LDP), Dr. Maria Flachsbarth (CDU) and Josef Göppel (CSU). The Bundestag delegates obtained information on the election of the Chinese Parliament and the situation of the rural population in China.

Talks at the BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland) focused on civic engagement and civil society group participation in environmental protection. Antje von Broock, head of the Department for International Environmental Policies, spoke on the development, structure and budget of the BUND. „Energy and climate protection“ with special emphasis on the trade with emission certificates - an economic instrument of great significance today - was another topic introduced to the delegation.

Situated on the eastern rim of Germany, in the heart of the former “black triangle”, is the energy ecological model city Ostritz-St. Marienthal (Sachsen). Its mayor, Friedrich Tschirner, lectured on economic and ecological developments since Germany's renunification. Steffen Blaschke of the Center for International Contact St. Marienthal introduced several ecological model projects. Of special interest for the visitors were the ecological wastewater treatment plant and the hydroenergy plant (inclusive fish stairway). Ostritz-St. Marienthal makes use of hydro-, solar-, wind- and biomass (thermal power plant).

Tour around the biomass thermal power station in Ostritz

Explanation of how the ecological wastewater treatment plant works

Saxony was the second Bundesland, after Bavaria, that introduced an alliance for the environment between government and business. Dr.-Ing. Katrin Gläser, Saxonian Ministry for the Environment and Agriculture, and Dr. Cornelia Ritter, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dresden, spoke on Saxony's “Alliance for the Environment”. This environmental policy cooperation project between government and business in Saxony contributes to the strengthening of the regional economy and helps protecting the environment. The delegation had the chance to visit one of the members of that alliance – the Stadtentwässerung Dresden GmbH. Michael Krenz introduced the environmental management system plus the EU Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) implemented at the wastewater treatment plant in Dresden-Kaditz.

At the Bavarian Parliament the delegation was received by Prof. Ursula Männle (CSU), member of the Bavarian Landtag and Vice-Chairwoman of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. Ms. Männle and Klaus Schütt, Bavarian Ministry of State for the Environment, Health and Consumer Protection, lectured on “Environmental protection and the development of rural areas”.

At the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the General Manager, Dr. Peter Witterauf and Willi Lange, Head of the China Department introduced the activities of the foundation. Witterauf emphasized that China will remain an important project location for the Hanns Seidel Foundation. Yan Zengfu, chairman of the Committee for the Environment and Resources of the People's Congress of Hubei, summarized: “Besides concrete project work the dialogue on different levels is of great significance. It helps building up trust and provides valuable ideas and thoughts.” The head of the delegation, Yao Wenming, said that the short but effective stay in Germany left good impressions. “We gained lots of useful information for our work in China. I feel very inspired, the experiences drawn from concrete examples (of how environmental protection works in Germany) will be helpful.