Experts analyze increase in key pollutants during 2006

Total emission of sulfur dioxide was 25.944 million tons in 2006, up 1.8 percent from 2005 and the total chemical oxygen demand (COD) was 14.313 million tons, up 1.2 percent from 2005. Although the very serious fact remains that major pollutants increased rather than decreased, it happened at a slower rate that in 2005, the overall growth rate of the volume of sulfur dioxide discharged and COD was down 11.3 percent and 4.4 percent respectively.

Why did emissions not fall? Experts believe that one reason is that the economic growth mode is still extensive and the use of energy inefficient. Another reason is the slow adjustment of industry structure. Many enterprises using backward production methods remained in the market, while the expansion of high energy consuming and heavily-polluting industries has not been completely limited. The third reason is that some regions prioritize the speed of development, hoping to exceed GDP growth estimates, and disregard the environmental consequences. The fourth reason is the lack of investment in environment protection. The fifth reason is the poor enforcement and supervision of what environment protection policies do exist. Some experts believe efforts made during the first two years of the 11th Five Year Plan period will result in a gradual decrease of major pollutants in the following three years.

By People's Daily Online