In the past decade, from an economical point of view China has been catching up with the economy of the wealthiest countries. Despite this growth, its population risks to suffer from the scarcity of an element crucial to their survival: water. There is a correlation between the astonishing economic growth and the rapid increase of water pollution and therefore the scarcity of quality clean water. While urbanization and industrialization have greatly contributed to increase the demand for water, the resources are quickly diminishing and fail to meet the high demand. Certain dry areas of the country have already started to suffer from serious water scarcity. The Chinese government is trying to contain this situation and is currently collaborating with various independent organizations and projects like The Asia Water Project (AWP) in China.
Water pollution that causes water-born disease are starting to spread over the population, yet, investors seem to be blinded by the cheap labor and the derisory costs and they forget to have serious considerations for the environment. According to statistics, “about 700 million Chinese drink water contaminated with waste. Consequently, water pollution sickens 190 million and causes an estimated 60 000 premature deaths annually” (Source: http://genascihk.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/chinas-deepening-water-crisis/). Foreign and local businesses need to realize that if this crisis expands the economy will suffer due to increasing need for health care, unemployment and therefore a decline in productivity. The prices of water in China remain to low and fail to be proportionate to the real costs of provision. Since the country lacked the funding for new water infrastructures, in the 1990s, it opened its water market to private local and international investors and companies. These new investments were often made in a hazardous context where regulation and policies lacked transparency and accountability. The Chinese government is still experimenting with policies and laws that could contain water pollution and also control investors in a more efficient manner.
This non-profit initiative works with investors and business in order to raise awareness to China’s water scarcity and to help them come up with long-term sustainable business, production and development plans best suited to the company’s demands. This organization works in direct collaboration with numerous NGOs and networks of experts of water issues. AWP is building a network of players that share the common interest of water preservation in order “to build knowledge that will lead to action to enhance the management of China’s water resources” (Source: http://www.asiawaterproject.org/about-us/who-we-are/). AWP’s online portal serves as a useful intermediary player between investors, the Chinese government and environmentalist groups that want to protect water lands. This unique online resource provides many useful assets that contribute to water preservation. First of all, the website is offers a precious forum for discussion around issues like “the macro and micro impacts of water scarcity and water pollution; the changing regulatory landscape, growing challenges around water resource management; and how investors and companies evaluate water-related risks” (Source: http://www.asiawaterproject.org/about-us/who-we-are/information-portal/). In addition, this information portal gathers information on China’s water issues outlining new policies and changes in regulations in order to keep all interested actors always updated. This space for discussion and information and ideas exchanges between environmental experts and business men is an important resources insofar it manages to raise awareness to the water crisis issues from the perspective of its main target: the investors and foreign companies. The homepage is divided in key sectors that offer comprehensive information on the water crisis and the impact it is having on the economy. An important section presents the latest key research for investors saving them the time and money to do the extra research and mapping of the social weather.
Publishing constant and up to date environmental information, is crucial for a country like China who desperately needs more transparency. China needs to raise water tariffs in order to cover the costs to improve water resources and quality. A “green” outlook needs to be part of China’s future politics in order to make sure that their rapid economic growth is sustainable on the long run. The Asia Water Project is a concrete symbol of a more environmental outlook, and an authentic initiative that has established a bridge between the government and foreign investors.
