China's national cleaner production strategy

Since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, China has been developing a strategy for cleaner production (CP). Key elements of the CP strategy include a new policy framework for industrial development and environmental protection, demonstration projects and case studies, and CP training and institution building. Successful cooperation between international organizations, national and local government agencies, and local industries in China has led to the adoption of CP measures by numerous Chinese enterprises and to substantial reductions in pollution. Despite this success, a number of barriers to CP implementation and dissemination continue to exist in China including knowledge and awareness problems, regulatory impediments, financial obstacles, technological hurdles, and organizational barriers. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.