BLISSFUL LIVING IN THE PRD-WHAT DOES EUROPE HAVE TO OFFER?

The Governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau have jointly released a consultation document on transforming the Greater Pearl River Delta into a “Quality Living Area”. The vision is for a safe and healthy environment, sustainable transport systems, a low-carbon circular economy, orderly planning, and responsive public services. The consultation document builds on a number of previous initiatives both at Central Government and regional levels.

The three governments have invited submissions on the consultation which are due on 30 November 2011 (for more information on this process, visit: www.gprd-qla.com/en) Businesses who can see business opportunities form a strong environmental framework across the Pearl River Delta are encouraged to make submissions on the consultation document before 30 November 2011.

On 26 October, the European Chamber of Commerce, thanks to EUBIP funding and Civic Exchange organizing a breakfast forum on the role of the European business community in realizing a quality living area.

Jonas Törnblom, Director of Corporate Marketing & Information for Envac (a leading environmental technology company in Sweden and the global leader in vacuum waste collection) spoke about an urban infrastructure planning process developed in Sweden, called SymbioCity,  the aim of which is to integrate infrastructure for various services, such as those waste management and energy distribution.

Chris Bongars, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SustainAsia (a corporate sustainability and clean & green technologies investment advisory firm in the Asia Pacific) spoke about the role of strong public policy in creating the necessary business environment for environmentally focused firms to prosper.

Courtney Davies, Regional Director of Development for Sunmark (a sustainable solar solutions provider from Denmark) pointed to the challenge for government to encourage an entrepreneurial atmosphere in which innovation in environmental solutions can thrive.

Veronica Booth, Senior Project Manager at Civic Exchange, described working with the shipping industry to reduce emissions from ships at port, as an example of how industry’s environmental initiatives has been reflected in the recommendations in the Quality Living Area consultation document.

Andrew Lawson, Head of Project Management at Civic Exchange, outlined the history and importance of the consultation document tracing it from its evolution form a planning process started by the National Reform & Development Commission in 2008.

 THIS EVENT WAS PARTLY FUNDED BY THE EU