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The world cannot afford to look away from Xinjiang
The author contends that Western governments have historically been complicit in human rights abuses by ignoring or supporting repressive regimes for national interest. This is exemplified by the situation in Xinjiang, where Uighurs face mass detention, forced labour, and cultural repression. The text calls for the EU and UK to move beyond rhetoric and implement targeted sanctions, boycotts, and UN-led actions to combat forced labour and genocide.
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Document type: Statement
China’s Green Bond Issuance and Investment Opportunity Report
The report identifies a significant green investment gap in China, estimating an annual requirement of RMB3tn-RMB4tn (USD424bn-USD566bn) by 2030. It highlights the role of green bonds and the impact of local green finance pilot zones in bridging this gap. The document analyzes the regulatory framework, the potential for 'new infrastructure' projects post-COVID-19, and the need for global harmonization of green definitions to attract international capital.
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Document type: Report
From Coal to Renewables in China: Solving the Water Stress-Power Plant Mismatch
China faces a significant challenge where 66.5% of its coal-fired power plants are located in water-scarce areas, driven by the West-to-East Electricity Transmission Project. To mitigate this, China is investing heavily in solar and wind energy, implementing air-cooling technologies that save nearly 80% of water withdrawal, and enforcing stricter water resource management quotas and caps for the coal sector.
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Document type: Site page
STATE OF THE MARKET 2018 : CORPORATE RENEWABLE PROCUREMENT IN CHINA
The document examines the evolving landscape of corporate renewable energy procurement in China, highlighting a shift from government-led feed-in-tariffs (FiT) toward a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and a national Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) market. While on-site solar and direct investments are currently the most viable paths for corporations, the report notes that large-scale transaction mechanisms remain limited and dependent on provincial-level implementation. It identifies key drivers for corporate adoption, such as supply chain sustainability and market leadership, and details the barriers to interprovincial and intraprovincial direct power purchase agreements.
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Document type: Report
China Green Bond Market Mid Year Report 2017
The report details the expansion of China's green bond market in H1 2017, highlighting a 33.6% year-on-year growth in issuance and a shift toward more diverse issuers. It examines the alignment of these bonds with international standards, the impact of new domestic policies, and the potential for green municipal bonds to drive local low-carbon transitions.
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Document type: Report
Regional Responses to Radicalization in Afghanistan
The document analyzes the rise of the Vilayat-e Khorasan front of Daesh in Afghanistan and the resulting anxiety among neighboring states. It argues that regional governments are hindered by a 'mutual blame game,' treating Daesh as an external political entity rather than a social phenomenon with domestic drivers. The author identifies key drivers of radicalization, including poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and political grievances, particularly in Central Asia. The paper distinguishes between short-term counter-measures (military force, border controls, intelligence) and long-term preventive measures (education, inter-faith dialogue, and addressing socio-economic grievances). It concludes that a multilateral approach, supported by regional organizations like the SCO and CICA, is essential to combat this transnational threat.
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Document type: Research paper
China's Actions on Clean Power
China has become a global leader in renewable energy investment and wind capacity, though it remains heavily dependent on coal for electricity and heat. While the 12th Five Year Plan sets targets for increasing non-fossil fuel use and reducing carbon emissions intensity, the country faces challenges such as grid connectivity for wind power and water shortages in arid provinces due to coal base construction. The government is also piloting emissions trading schemes in several cities and provinces as a precursor to a national system by 2015.
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Document type: Briefing
China’s Actions on Clean Power
The document examines China's energy landscape as of 2012, highlighting its position as a global leader in renewable energy investment and wind capacity despite a heavy reliance on coal for electricity. It details the growth of the solar and wind sectors, the environmental and water-related costs of coal combustion, and the climate goals established under the 12th Five Year Plan, including targets for non-fossil fuel use and the implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms.
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Document type: Policy brief
全球棉纺织产品链 中国的机遇与挑战:一个全球商品链环境分析
This report analyzes the environmental and social impacts of the global cotton textile product chain, focusing on China's role as a major producer, importer, and exporter. It evaluates the trade-offs between economic growth and environmental degradation, proposing a transition toward sustainable cotton production and the internalization of environmental costs to maintain long-term competitiveness.
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Document type: Report
North-South Cooperation and Private-Public Partnership: A Case Study of China’s Wind Power Industry
The document analyzes the growth of China's wind power sector, highlighting the role of the 2005 Renewable Energy Law and strategic technology transfers from European companies. It uses Goldwind as a case study for successful private-public partnerships and argues that further international cooperation in turbine design and offshore technology is essential to meet future CO2 emission constraints.
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Document type: Case study
Global Cotton and Textile Product Chains
The report examines China's pivotal role as a major cotton producer, importer, and textile exporter, highlighting the environmental degradation caused by intensive chemical and water use in domestic production. It compares these impacts with those in other regions, noting that rain-fed production in West Africa offers a more sustainable alternative. The document evaluates four future scenarios up to 2020, arguing that internalizing environmental costs and shifting sourcing toward sustainable African production can improve global sustainability. Key recommendations include developing a national information strategy on sustainability, adopting international standards like the Better Cotton Initiative, and eliminating duties on African cotton imports.
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Document type: Report
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: WHO BENEFITS FROM GM CROPS?
This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International contends that GM crops, primarily soya, maize, and cotton, fail to increase yields or reduce poverty in developing regions. It asserts that the GM model benefits large-scale industrial farmers through 'convenience' while harming small-scale farmers via high seed costs, land displacement, and increased pesticide use. The document specifically highlights negative outcomes in South America, Africa, India, and China, and disputes claims that GM technology makes food cheaper or is necessary for the livestock industry.
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Document type: Fact sheet
¿quién se beneficia con los cultivos transgénicos? el uso creciente de plaguicidas
The report argues that genetically modified (GM) crops provide no substantive environmental, social, or economic benefits. It highlights a significant increase in pesticide use, particularly glyphosate, due to the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds in the US, Brazil, and Argentina. The document further contends that GM crops do not increase yields—citing evidence that Roundup Ready soy may actually suffer yield losses—and that they do not address global hunger, as most are used for animal feed or biofuels in wealthy nations. Additionally, it criticizes the concentration of seed control by a few multinational corporations, which increases costs and restricts farmers' ability to save seeds.
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Document type: Executive summary
Les Amis de la Terre qui tire profit des cultures gm ?
The report argues that GM crops provide no ecological, social, or economic benefits. It highlights that herbicide-tolerant (HT) varieties promote the development of resistant weeds, leading to increased pesticide application in the US, Brazil, and Argentina. The document further asserts that GM crops do not increase yields or food security, as most are used for animal feed or biofuels rather than human consumption, and that seed monopolies increase costs for farmers.
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Document type: Executive summary
who benefits from gm crops? environmental, social and economic impacts
The report argues that GM crops, particularly herbicide-tolerant varieties, have not increased yields and have instead led to an increase in pesticide use due to the emergence of resistant 'superweeds'. It highlights the monopolization of the seed market by a few agrochemical giants, specifically Monsanto, and documents negative socio-economic impacts on small farmers in India, South Africa, and South America, including increased debt and land displacement.
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Document type: Report
who benefits from gm crops? the rise in pesticide use
The report argues that GM crops, primarily herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant varieties of soya, maize, cotton, and canola, have not increased yields and have instead driven a rise in pesticide use due to the emergence of resistant weeds. It highlights the monopolization of the seed supply by a few corporations, specifically Monsanto, and documents the negative socio-economic impacts on small farmers in the US, India, and South America, including increased debt and rural poverty.
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Document type: Report
Qui tire profit des cultures GM ?
The report argues that GM crops, particularly herbicide-tolerant (HT) and Bt varieties, have failed to deliver promised benefits in yield and poverty reduction. It documents a significant increase in pesticide use and the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds in the US, Argentina, and Brazil. The document further highlights the monopolization of the seed market by a few firms, specifically Monsanto, and the resulting economic pressure and legal harassment of farmers. Case studies in India, China, and South Africa suggest that yield increases are often due to weather or irrigation rather than GM technology, while small farmers face increased debt and vulnerability.
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Document type: Report
Growing into Risk
The report argues that China's pursuit of high GDP growth has led to severe environmental degradation, which in turn triggers internal security risks such as violent protests and mass migration. Internationally, China's need to secure energy, water, and timber resources drives an assertive foreign policy, leading to territorial disputes and the 'export' of environmental degradation to trading partners. The document highlights critical scarcity in water and energy, deteriorating air quality contributing to the 'Asian Brown Cloud', and the impact of domestic logging bans on international timber trade.
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Document type: Report
Ecological Footprint and Water Analysis of Cotton, Hemp and Polyester
The report finds that polyester is the most energy-intensive and highest CO2 emitter, while hemp generally has the lowest Ecological Footprint. Cotton, particularly in Punjab, exhibits the highest Ecological Footprint due to low productivity and high land requirements. Water analysis reveals that cotton is extremely water-intensive, requiring between 9,788 and 9,958 litres per kilogram of lint, whereas polyester's water use is negligible in comparison.
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Document type: Report
Failing the challenge
The report 'Failing the Challenge' by Friends of the Earth International criticizes Shell for prioritizing short-term profits over human rights and environmental protection. It documents a pattern of pollution, health crises, and human rights abuses across several countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, the US, and the Philippines. The authors argue that Shell engages in 'greenwashing' by using PR to mask its continued expansion of fossil fuel production and its failure to hold itself accountable for local damages. The report calls for changes to UK company law to ensure corporations are legally responsible for their global impacts.
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Document type: Report