Did you know one of the main economic drivers of China have been a series of 5 Year Plans? These plans have been in place since 1953. The government has completed and often exceeded almost every five year plan since “The Great Leap Forward” from 1958 – 1962. These plans have shaped China’s industrial and manufacturing might that we see today. The plans have also contributed to the terrible toll this manufacturing has taken on China’s and the rest of the world’s environment.

China is the worlds largest polluter releasing around 23% of the worlds CO2 emissions. The US is not far behind at 18% of the worlds CO2 emissions. The world perceives the US as more progressive to China and more sensitive to the earth and it’s inhabitants. It seems counter-intuitive that China’s Government have included environmental goals and plan on reaching them while the US Government has recently been pushing bills to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s power.

Part of China’s 2011-2015 five year plan includes cutting carbon emissions by a staggering 17% and reducing energy consumption by 16%. In their previous five year plan (2006-2010) China reduced energy consumption by 19.1%. China also plans to increase forest coverage by 12.5 million hectares.

So what’s the impact if China achieves these goals? In overall terms, it’s slamming on the brakes of a really big truck going too fast. The truck won’t stop but the momentum is being shifted. The anticipated 7% per year GDP growth in China will be achieved in a much more sustainable way. The best thing about these goals is they will continue to be made in the future, this is just the beginning.