The environment has become an increasingly important factor for the world economy. China, a rapidly developing country, has begun to integrate environmental policies into its plans for economic growth. The 10th Chinese five-year plan (2001-2005) has therefore devoted 1.5 % of the country's GDP to safeguarding the environment.
The environment is no longer a simple concern of proactive governments. It has become a global economic issue.
Companies, local authorities and citizens have come to realise the importance of changing their behaviour in order to preserve their natural resources and the environment.
Urbanisation, environmental regulations, the skyrocketing of commodity prices, including oil, and the need to control and reduce CO2 emissions are some of the factors driving these changes.
