The recent ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Russia's Duma has drawn applause from Canadian and Chinese officials, saying the long-awaited approval is encouraging efforts to tackle global weather change.

Don Fast, an official with Canada's Department of Environment, said that the State Duma's ratification, which cleared the way for the long-delayed climate change pact to come into force worldwide, will encourage further international cooperation in reducing emissions that lead to global warming.

"It's encouraging, but no matter if it is ratified or not, Canada will be firmly committed to joint efforts in this regard with China," Fast said. He is in charge of the department's affairs in the Pacific region.

The pact, adopted on December 11, 1997, obliges rich nations to cut overall emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide by 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12 by curbing use of coal, oil and natural gas and shifting to cleaner energies like solar or wind power.

Joint work between China and Canada in this regard, was deepened yesterday by the opening of the "Climate Change and Sustainable Technologies Week" in Beijing, which was jointly organized by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Canadian Embassy in Beijing.

Eying tremendous opportunities in water and wastewater treatment, climate change technologies and service, Canada sent a team headed by Fast to participate.

The Chinese Government is willing to work with both governments and businesses in Canada, a country that can be a source of competitively priced, high-quality products and services that meet or exceed most international regulations and emission-control standards, said Gao Guangsheng, director of the National Coordination Committee for Climate Change.

Gao encouraged investors to pour their money into renewable energy projects and if entering into partnerships with Chinese investors, they will not only enjoy preferential loans and tax policies, but also funding support from developed countries.

Priority will be given to projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and exploration of new and renewable energy sources, said Gao.

Renewable energy refers mainly to water, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and marine-based energy.

Still, some Canadian companies with key environment-friendly technologies do not know about the huge investment opportunities in environmental protection in China.

"Consulting services are badly needed to help those enterprises enter China," said Christine Qian, manager of Ottawa-based Clean Energy International.

Jing Yunchuan, member of the Canada-China Business Council, said great opportunities exist as China is adopting an environment-friendly development pattern and speeding its pace of urbanization.

His conclusions are based on the central government's decision this year that private and foreign funding will be allowed to conduct chartered operations in infrastructure facilities.

(China Daily November 2, 2004)