There have been new achievements in the work of CCICED over the past year, thanks to the strong support of each International and Chinese Member. I would like to submit to you the following report on these activities.
I. Responses of the Central and Local Governments to Last Year's CCICED Recommendations
Each year, in its capacity as a high-level international consultation mechanism, the CCICED puts forward policy recommendations to the Chinese Government in the field of environment and development which have always received much attention from the Chinese Government. Up until now, 15 ministries or commissions under the State Council and local governments of 25 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have provided feedback on their responses to the recommendations made by 2004 CCICED Annual General Meeting (AGM). They include the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Land and Resources, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce, the People's Bank of China, General Administration of Customs, State Administration of Taxation, State Quality Supervision and Quarantine Administration, State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), China Meteorological Administration, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Hebei, Shanxi, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Tibet, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and Xinjiang. Here are their responses.
1. The policy recommendations conform to the reality of China's agricultural development, and relevant authorities attach great importance to them.
The policy recommendations of CCICED are in line with the Chinese Government's present efforts to address the problem of "agriculture, rural areas and farmers," so as to promote agriculture and rural development. Some policy recommendations involving concepts and direction have significant bearing on improving agriculture and rural economic development policies, and thus of addressing "agriculture, rural areas and farmers". At the same time, from a scientific perspective, they provide a new approach for focusing on and addressing these issues. The Two Vice Premiers of the State Council charged with environmental protection and agriculture respectively reviewed the policy recommendations of the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Development, and referred them to the Policy Research Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for further study. All departments and local governments have examined the research carefully and have adopted CCICED policy recommendations. With an eye on local conditions, they have carried out many activities, to promote sustainable agricultural and rural development at different levels.
2. The Policy recommendations have opened new horizons for the harmonious development of the environment and economy in Central and Western China
The feedback from the provinces and autonomous regions of Central and Western China accounted for over 50% of the total responses from local governments, which shows that these regional governments attach great importance to agricultural and rural development, recognizing fully their practical significance in overall economic growth. CCICED policy recommendations have focused the attention of local governments on this issue, and opened new horizons for more harmonious development between the environment and the economy.
3. Specific actions of departments and local governments on agricultural development
During the Tenth Five-Year Plan, the Ministry of Science and Technology allocated a total of 6.4 billion RMB to support the development of agricultural science and technology, nearly three times more than for the Ninth Five-Year Plan.
The Ministry of Finance has allocated another 1 billion RMB for a public health emergency program in the central and western parts of China, and another 4 billion RMB for a similar program in three northeastern provinces, home of many old industrial bases. Most of the funds will be for rural areas. In 2005, the Ministry of Finance earmarked 80 million RMB to support the development of specialized cooperative farmers organizations, 400 million RMB mainly for training rural migrant laborers, and 300 million RMB as a special fund to subsidize trials of small-scale farmland water conservation works.
The Ministry of Water Resources has begun levying water resource fees in 29 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, has implemented a tiered water pricing system in over 60 cities. The Ministry has also increased inputs into key projects such as safe drinking water in rural areas, and water-saving methods for large-scale irrigation. The increased investment reached 1.05 billion RMB more than in 2004. The Ministry has also allocated an additional 350 million RMB for technical trials to transform large-scale pumping stations in the four provinces of Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hunan.
The Ministry of Agriculture has organized training courses on new agricultural science and technologies in about 300 counties across China. In 2005, it allocated 400 million RMB to a special fund for the "Sunshine Project", an increase of 150 million RMB over last year. Provincial financial departments nationwide have provided over 500 million RMB fund for training of rural migrant laborers, covering 2.8 million trainees. It has invested 20 million RMB in the study of key agricultural sciences and technologies for agricultural restructuring, and 30 million RMB in a special fund for the agricultural scientific and technological leapfrog project.
The Beijing Municipal Government earmarked 7.4 million RMB to a special fund to encourage and support the development of various kinds of specialized cooperative farmers organizations.
The Tianjin Municipal Government has allocated 20 million RMB to a fund for the popularization of agricultural techniques and the commercialization of agricultural achievements.
The Shanghai Municipal Government allocated 400 million RMB to rural education infrastructure and subsidies to poor students. It has also allocated 20 million RMB for improvement of all county and township health clinics in its suburbs so that they meet the standards of community health centers. It also set up a special fund of 354 million RMB for revitalizing agriculture through applied science and technology, with a focus on solving key problems.
The Chongqing Municipal Government completely lifted agricultural taxes in 2005, eliminating 589 million RMB of tax burden on farmers.
The Zhejiang provincial finance department set aside 6.358 billion RMB for ecological transfer compensation payments, up by 19.8% year-on-year.
Jiangxi Province has also set up 6 eco-function zones and allocated 10 million RMB to subsidize the development of province-level public ecological forests and the construction of nature reserves.
Hainan Province has facilitated the establishment of 1,172 various kinds of agro-business organizations and associations, established 690,000 mu (46,000 hectares) of agro-business bases, producing revenues of 240 million RMB.
Guizhou Province invested 20 million RMB in 2005 to support key provincial enterprises. It has actively developed new kinds of energy in rural areas, building a total of 530,000 biogas digesters, which has saved 1.25 million tons of firewood.
The Tibet Autonomous Region has invested more than half of its funds for "agriculture, rural areas and farmers" in the development of science and technology. The local authorities have started monitoring soil quality, and are guiding the local farmers to use pesticides, fertilizers and agricultural films in a scientific and appropriate way. In addition, it has strongly promoted the use of clean energies like solar energy.
Shaanxi Province has completed the 1.2 billion RMB World Bank Poverty-Reduction Projects with an average investment of 4,000 RMB per family. It has allocated 6 million RMB to a special fund on environmental protection. The provincial government has adopted such measures as banning the burning of straw, and promoted instead the full utilization of straw.
The Ningxia Autonomous Region has promoted circular economy through the utilization of almost 20 million tons of up-to-the-standard industrial effluent each year to irrigate commercial forests that provide raw materials for papermaking, and thus initially meeting the target of zero discharge of industrial effluent.
II. On Changes of International and Chinese Members of CCICED
Mr. Jiang Weixin, Vice Director of NDRC has been appointed as a new Chinese Vice Chairman of CCICED. Mr. Liu Jiang, the former Vice Chairman of CCICED and Vice Director of NDRC, will no longer be a Chinese Vice Chairman due to position changes. Mr. Li Jiayang, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, will serve as a Chinese Member of CCICED. CCICED will have Mr. Robert Greenhill, President of the Canadian International Development Agency as a new International Vice Chairman of CCICED. Mr. Paul Thibault, will no longer be International Executive Vice Chairman of CCICED due to work changes. Mr. Brende, Former Minister of Trade and Industry of Norway will be a new International Member of CCICED.
III. CCICED Task Forces
Over the past year, the Task Force (TF) on Circular Economy, TF on Economic Growth, TF on Sustainable Urbanization, TF on Environment and Natural Resources Pricing and Taxation have held 20 TF Work Meetings, 4 international and national workshops, and organized 8 site visits and study tours at home and aboard.
Each TF has basically completed the task assigned to it by CCICED, and though there was some unevenness in the progress and depth of research, as well as some other difficulties, thanks to the hard work and concerted efforts of both Chinese and international experts, each TF has made its policy recommendations in different areas.
During this meeting, the task forces on Circular Economy, on Sustainable Transportation, on Sustainable Urbanization and on Environment and Resources Pricing and Taxation will each make a report of the results of their research. The TF on Economic Growth will submit to the meeting an Interim Report on Indicator System for the Examination of the Performance of Local Government.
This year there are some points specifically worth noting: 1) TFs took the initiative to solicit comments and suggestions on their study from relevant departments and local governments. Experts of the TF on Environment and Resources Pricing and Taxation visited officials of the NDRC. They consulted and discussed with them how to coordinate regional development, poverty alleviation and environmental protection. They also visited the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to consult about financial aspects of environmental protection, which has all increased the focus and feasibility of the study and the policy recommendations. 2) The TFs took care to combine advanced foreign experience with the actual socio-economic conditions of China. In order to ensure that the indicator system for performance evaluation of local governments is more rational and scientific, the TF on Economic Growth, based on international practices, did case studies of four different types of cities including Chongqing, Rizhao, Nanning and Ningbo. In the light of its findings, it has revised the indicator system, retaining those international practices that fit with Chinese conditions.
IV. Work of CCICED Lead Experts
Over the past year, the Lead Experts held 5 working meetings and made some very good suggestions to the Bureau on a number of issues, including the establishment of new TFs. They have provided technical assistance for the TF study on sustainable urbanization and have actively participated in its work. Lead Experts also provide a lot of positive suggestions on the establishment of new Task Forces.
Based on the theme of 2005 AGM, the Lead Experts have prepared an Issues Paper, provided data and information for focused discussion, formulated the draft Policy Recommendations of CCICED to the Chinese Government based on the recommendations of each TF and new findings, and have prepared basic materials for the Outline of Policy Recommendations that will be presented to the national leaders after adoption by the AGM. The coordination and cooperation between Lead Expert and the Secretariat has also been further strengthened.
V. Raising the Efficiency of CCICED AGM
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the most important activity of CCICED each year. Improving its efficiency and effectiveness is our priority. Major changes this year are as follows:
1. More discussion time for Members
The arrangements and agenda of this AGM give more time for discussion and debate so Members may discuss the TF Reports, the Issues Paper, Policy Recommendations and other matters of interest. Their comments and suggestions will be fully taken into account.
2. The future development of the CCICED
The term of CCICED Phase III will expire in 2006. Everyone is interested in the future development of the CCICED. It is thus very important to listen to the ideas and suggestions of Members and experts on the direction, contents and specific methods of study and research in the future.
3. More discussion on the policy recommendations
The most important achievement of CCICED AGM each year is the set of Policy Recommendations made to the Chinese Government. In this present schedule, more time is set aside for Members to discuss them. We hope that the wisdom of Members and experts as expressed in their comments and suggestions will be fully reflected in the document. There will also be time to explain any revisions and new additions to the Policy Recommendations.
4. Improving of CCICED working report
In order to arrange more time for Council Members to fully discuss the Task Force reports and Issues Paper, a written Working Report of CCICED is distributed this year, which used to be presented to the Council Meeting by Secretary General in past AGMs. Some relevant key issues in Working Report will also be reported to the Bureau Meeting for their review.
5. Side meetings
In an attempt to widen the influence of CCICED and publicize and disseminate the results of its policy studies, two side meetings will be held right after the 2005 AGM, as approved by the Bureau. One is the "Workshop on Environment and Poverty" and the other is the "Workshop on Smart Growth of Urban Transportation".
VI. Establishment of Task Forces for 2006 AGM
At 2004 AGM, the Bureau decided that the theme for the Fifth Meeting of CCICED Phase III in 2006 would be "Scientific Development and the Goal of a Well-off Society". With this in mind, the Bureau has approved the establishment of TFs on Review and Prospects of China's Environment and Development Policies, on Environmental Governance, on Eco-Compensation Mechanisms, and on Phase II Economic Growth and Environment. At present, thanks to cooperation between Chinese and international experts, these TFs are being set up and are starting their work. Their organization and smooth operation will provide fundamental support to the Fifth Meeting of CCICED Phase III in 2006.
VII. Work of CCICED Secretariat
Under the leadership of the Bureau, CCICED Secretariat (including the Secretariat Canadian Office) has greatly improved both in capacity and work efficiency over the past year.
1. Better communication among Members
● The Secretariat has established the English language CCICED UPDATE, and sent timely relevant information about CCICED through e-mail to all Members and experts of TFs.
● The Secretariat has improved the quality of the CCICED Bulletin. It has incorporated richer research content and enhanced its academic value.
● The Secretariat has provided more timely information and necessary support to International Members and experts. In particular, it has notified Chinese and international participants in a timely fashion on the convening of this AGM.
● The Secretariat has intensified contacts and communication with donor countries. It held two briefings to give donors relevant information and keep them up to date about developments. Officials of the Secretariat have visited donor countries with positive results.
2. Enhance contact and coordination between TFs
● The Secretariat has held 6 Task Force Contact Meetings to keep abreast of TF work progress，make timely requests and address problems.
● The Secretariat has stepped up coordination between the Lead Experts, conveying requests from the Bureau and providing support.
● The Secretariat has gradually improved budget management of TFs.
3. Make the achievements of CCICED more widely known
● The Secretariat frequently upgrades the website of CCICED and has printed and distributed CCICED promotion materials.
● The Secretariat has published the Proceedings of the Third Meeting of CCICED Phase III and also made CDs.
● It has mailed the CCICED Proceedings and Newsletter to the Chinese and International Members, TF co-chairs, relevant departments and research institutes in a timely manner.
● It has maintained closer contacts with various departments of the Chinese government, and proactively kept them informed of CCICED work progress so as to win their support.
4. Study of the future of CCICED
The Secretariat has headed efforts to look into the future development of CCICED, exploring directions and working mechanism for its work. It has also held discussions with governments of donor countries and institutions. These are important for the Chinese Government, donor countries and institutions when they come to decide on continuous support for the CCICED.
VIII. Funding of CCICED in 2005
The work of CCICED in 2005 has received the continued attention and support of the Chinese Government and of donor governments as well as of international institutions. This support provides the foundation for the normal operation of CCICED.
Appendix I of Work Report of CCICED
Summary of the Adoption of
Policy Recommendations of CCICED
by Relevant Departments and Certain Provincial Governments
Up to late October 2005, a total of 40 feedback reports on the adoption of Policy Recommendations had been received. These reports came from the following ministries, municipalities, provinces and autonomous regions: the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Land and Resources, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce, People's Bank of China, General Administration of Customs, State Taxation Administration, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, State Environmental Protection Administration and China Meteorological Administration, the municipalities of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing; the provinces of Hebei, Shanxi, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Guangdong, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Gansu, Guangxi Autonomous Region, Tibet Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
These reports show that relevant departments, institutions and provincial governments have reviewed and adopted the Policy Recommendations of CCICED in the light of their own actual conditions. In order to understand their progress, the Secretariat of CCICED has compiled the following summary.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), together with other departments under the State Council, is examining setting up and improving a system and mechanisms for stabilizing grain market prices and protecting the interests of grain farmers. It is also working to provide channels for steady increased agricultural funding, to implement the "Sunshine Project for the Training of Migrant Rural Labor" and to actively support training programs for surplus rural labor. It has set aside special funds to invest in infrastructure in major grain-producing areas. Concerned departments are carrying out trials on management reform of river basins. While furthering the "Grain for Green" program in key regions, they are providing more support to promote harmonious ecological, economic and social development, building the rural energy systems so as to conserve local forests and vegetation, and appropriately promoting ecological migration. At present, the Central Government is drafting "Proposals for Further Strengthening Ecological Management" to promote the gradual establishment and management of nature reserves.
The Ministry of Education will establish a mechanism to guarantee funding for rural teacher training, continue to promote compulsory education for the children of migrant workers and provide the corresponding legal support and funding. The Ministry has launched a "Training Project for Migrant Rural Labor," and held general training programs for rural workers to teach them skills in line with the needs of local production. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Ministries of Science and Technology and of Agriculture, it has established the "Association of Colleges and Universities Agricultural Science, Technology and Education Networks" to help these institutions serve "agriculture, the rural areas and farmers".
The Ministry of Science and Technology has invested a total of 6.4 billion RMB in agricultural science and technology during the 10th Five-Year Plan, almost quadrupling that of the 9th Five-Year Plan. During this 10th Five-Year Plan, it established 9 modern water-saving agricultural modes, setting up 120,000 mu (8,000 hectares) of demonstration areas. This has yielded direct monetary gains of 150~270 million yuan from water conservation. The Ministry has incorporated agricultural water-saving technologies as crucial components into the National Mid- and Long-term Science and Technology Development Plans. The implementation of these technologies will be an important focus of the "11th Five-Year National Development Plan for Science and Technology".
The Ministry of Civil Affairs has placed specialized rural economic associations at the top of its agenda, and has taken various measures to actively encourage them in different localities. It has held a National Conference on the Development of Specialized Rural Associations, and called for more rural economic associations, their consolidation and development.
The Ministry of Finance has actively promoted the reform of grain markets. The focus of food security will be on the production and supply of key foods. The Ministry has put forward preliminary ideas on management of the central grain reserve. It has allocated an additional 1 billion yuan to the central and western regions, and 4 billion yuan to the three northeastern provinces, where old industrial bases are located, for emergency public health programs. Most funds are for rural areas. Between 2003 and 2005, it allocated 900 million yuan from the centrally controlled special public welfare lottery fund to support development of a rural healthcare system in poverty-stricken areas of central and western China. In 2005, it allocated 80 million yuan to the development of specialized rural cooperative organizations, 400 million yuan for the training of rural migrant laborers, and set up a 300-million yuan fund specifically to subsidize small-scale farmland water conservancy trials. In addition, it has confirmed its support to 350 specialized rural cooperative organizations.
The Ministry of Land and Resources has clearly enunciated the fundamental guidelines of "conservation, intensive utilization and strict protection of arable land resources." As part of its efforts to further reform the land acquisition system, it has identified 19 cities as trial sites, and will study the results of the reforms there. It has also improved the systems of compensation for land acquisition and relocation by making a number of proposals to improve compensation methods, provide proper arrangements for the livelihood of relocated inhabitants, improve land acquisition procedures and exert better supervision of the implementation process.
Ministry of Water Resources has established water usage quotas for 17 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities as part of water usage plans. It has furthered reforms of water pricing by levying a water resource fee in 29 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, setting up tiered water pricing in some 60 cities, and levying wastewater treatment fees in over 300 cities. The cities of Dongyang and Yiwu in Zhejiang Province have negotiated and signed an agreement on the transfer of water-use rights, marking the first such transaction in China. Ningxia Autonomous Region and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have signed agreements on the transfer of water-use rights for 8 large-scale projects and irrigation areas, optimizing water resources and combining water conservation investment with the transfer of water-use rights. The Ministry has also increased inputs in key projects, such as safe drinking water for rural areas, and water-saving reforms in large-scale irrigation. Total allocations are 1.05 billion yuan more than in 2004. The Ministry also earmarked an additional 350 million yuan for technical trials of improved large-scale pumping stations in the provinces of Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hunan.
The Ministry of Agriculture has organized training courses on new agricultural science and technologies in nearly 300 counties across China. In 2005, it dedicated 400 million yuan to the "Sunshine Project", an increase of 150 million yuan over last year. Provincial finance departments have provided over 500 million yuan for training 2.8 million rural migrant laborers. The Ministry has also organized investigations into the pollution load of key localities along the "South-West Water Diversion Project", set up various types of demonstration sites on agricultural non-point pollution prevention and control, and worked out plans for such prevention and control in key localities. It has recently granted certification of 1,514 products produced by 627 green food manufacturers, as well as 145 products from 55 organic food producers. It has invested 20 million yuan in key agricultural sciences and technologies for agricultural restructuring; and dedicated 30 million yuan for the implementation of agricultural science and technology "leap-frog projects;" it has established 8 state-level dry-farming experimental sites, carried out 300 demonstration projects and set up a total of 10 million mu (about 667 thousand hectares) of core demonstration sites on drought resistance and water conservation.
The Ministry of Commerce recognized that the Policy Recommendations of the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Development have objectively described the existing problems in the countryside, and that the specific recommendations were positive and pragmatic, such as promoting the liberalization of world trade and increasing inputs into infrastructure of the farm produce market. The Ministry of Commerce can usefully refer to all these recommendations in the future.
The People's Bank of China has continued its trial reforms of Rural Credit Cooperatives, which are stimulating the rural financial markets. It has opened Provincial Associations of Rural Credit Cooperatives in 16 provinces (districts or municipalities) and authorized them in another 8 provinces. At present, 37 rural commercial banks and cooperative banks have already begun operations. The Ministry has approved the establishment of another 18 such banks. During the first half of 2005, Rural Credit Cooperatives showed total profits of 5.497 billion yuan with a capital adequacy ratio of 2.49%, and a balance of agricultural loans of 1,012.249 billion yuan. Trials with rural micro-loan organizations are also proceeding where conditions are ripe.
The General Administration of Customs expressed their agreement with the Policy Recommendations put forward by CCICED to the Central Government. Meanwhile, it has worked actively to coordinate with relevant departments for their implementation.
The State Taxation Administration is looking into further reducing the agricultural tax or even eliminating it; reforming and improving local tax systems to secure total fiscal revenues, and establishing a local system in line with the overall tax-sharing system that forms the basis of the fiscal structure. It will also study issues raised by the gradual reform of the tax system.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has worked out 1,340 national agricultural standards, 3,441 industrial ones and 6,955 local ones. It has established 2,228 State-level demonstration sites on agricultural standardization, and organized corresponding training of 6,700 people. It has initiated research into standards to back the development of a circular economy; with relevant departments it has jointly launched a special nationwide inspection on the conservation of resources; revised the National Standard on Ethanol Gasoline for Vehicles; energetically promoted the certification of farm produce and foods, supported the production of organic and green foods; guided exporting enterprises to establish and tighten their warranty system of product safety and quality; adopted active measures to properly handle inspection and quarantine of exported farm produce; set up a cooperation mechanism between provinces and cities to help expand farm exports, and promote specialty products as well as those which retain an advantage.
The State Environmental Protection Administration will tighten rural environmental management through conducting EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) on planning. It will upgrade the prevention and control of non-point pollution and pollution from livestock and poultry breeding, and actively develop eco-agriculture. During the 11th Five-Year Plan, it will improve the establishment and management of eco-function protected areas and nature reserves, establish as fast as possible a group of protected areas with crucial eco-functions, step up the development and supervision of State-level nature reserves, and enable a group of them to meet relevant standards. In addition, with EIA of river basin as the focus, it will improve the EIA on planning of water and power projects, in order to facilitate harmonious development between water and power resources, the local economy, society and the environment. Moreover, the Administration will protect the healthy ecosystem of rivers in four areas, i.e. water conservation, rational development of water resources, water pollution prevention and control, and protection of biodiversity.
The China Meteorological Administration has improved its services for agriculture, increased scientific and technical content in agricultural meteorology, set up a dynamic meteorological forecasting system for major grain yields nationwide and globally, performed evaluation, monitoring and forecasting on eco-environments, tapped water resources in the air, and provided services to ensure increased grain output, agricultural efficiency, farmer income and food security.
The Beijing Municipal Government allocated 7.4 million yuan in 2005 to a special fund to implement the project of "Internet Access for 100 Grassroots Rural Specialized Cooperative Organizations" and the "Double Ten Demonstration Projects" (ten district/county-level associations for farm produce and ten cooperative farmers organizations). It has focused on establishing 50 demonstration training centers for surplus rural labor; set up guarantees for the minimum standard of living for rural inhabitants so that the first stages of a social assistance system is forming in the countryside; it has established 6 groupings of industrial service organizations which are pursuing resource-saving development. Also, the Municipality has established 6 "State-level Beautiful Environment Counties (Towns)", 10 City-level ones and 50 City-level "Ecological Villages," thus improving the eco-environment in its rural areas. It has adjusted the food reserve structure, established a procedure for bidding, declaration and auction for state-owned land, set up 200 demonstration zones for technology of non-point pollution control, cut water usage by 10% in institutions, and allocated 400 million yuan for the protection of key wetlands across Beijing.
The Tianjin Municipal Government has stepped up economic restructuring in rural areas, and implemented the Project on Forging Pacemaker Enterprises to encourage the use of science and technology in the countryside. The Municipal finance department has allocated 20 million yuan to spread agricultural technologies, and commercialize agricultural achievements in a bid to increase overall productivity. It has pushed for more rural reforms by improving the rural taxation and the land systems, furthered rural finance reforms and innovation, and adjusted the grain distribution system in order to promote rural social progress in an all-round way. At present, the coverage rate of healthcare in its rural areas has reached 60%. The Municipality has drawn up and begun implementing a strategic plan for a water-conserving society and added 200,000 mu (around 13 thousand hectares) of water-saving irrigation; industrial use of recycled water has reached 85%, 34 percentage points higher than the national average. It has further improved the monitoring system for ecological conservation, protected key eco-functional areas, raised levels of management and construction of nature reserves, and established a group of ecological demonstration zones.
The Shanghai Municipal Government has included funds for agriculture in its annual budget to ensure that increased agricultural financial inputs keep pace with regular fiscal income growth for the current year. It has allocated 400 million yuan for rural education infrastructure and for subsidies to poor students. It has also earmarked 20 million yuan to upgrade all county and township health clinics in its suburbs into community health centers and to implement standardization programs. It also set aside 354 million yuan for applying science and technology to agriculture, with a focus on resolving key problems. Between 2003 and 2005, the Municipality allocated a total of 170 million yuan to environmental protection projects, such as water conservation on the upper reaches of the Huangpu River, and the treatment of livestock and poultry manure. In addition, it has vigorously promoted the practice of circular economy with conservation and comprehensive utilization of resources, resulting in lowered energy consumption of 1.03 tons of coal equivalent per 10,000 yuan of GDP, 1/3 lower than the national average, and water consumption of 150 m3 per 10,000 yuan of GDP, less than 1/3 the national average.
The Chongqing Municipal Government has focused financial support on "agriculture, rural areas and farmers" and will guarantee continuity in its favorable fiscal policies. In 2005, it lifted all agricultural taxes, eliminating 589 million yuan of financial burden from farmers. In addition, it has increased monitoring of the rural eco-environment and of the quality of farm produce, tightened food safety management, and set up a monitoring network centered on the Three Gorges Reservoir Area to protect the resources and the environment across the Municipality. It has implemented a number of major projects, such as Water and Soil Conservation Project, Project on Electrification of Rural Areas, Project on Prosperity for Local People by Building an Ecological Homeland, and the Rural Energy Project. In addition, it has compiled the Zoning of Ecological Functions of Chongqing Municipality and the Plan for the State-level Eco-function Protected Area in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area of Chongqing Municipality, identified key areas of biodiversity for protection, and set up primeval habitat conservation sites covering an area of 200 mu (about 13.33 hectares).
Hebei Province has paid great attention to rural environmental protection and considers it key to scientific development and building a harmonious socialist society. It has established 6,497 ecological villages, and launched a series of activities to improve the rural eco-environment and raise the quality of life by building ecological villages and good-environment towns. It has explored biomass use and set up biogas power stations using straw. It has also strictly controlled pollution from scale livestock and poultry farms, encouraged eco-friendly breeding and the comprehensive use of livestock and poultry manure.
Shanxi Province has set a timetable for dealing with soot desulphurization in the coking industry and coal-fueled power plants. By the end of March 2005, it had closed or shut down 1,241 heavily-polluting coking enterprises, eliminated some 10,000 illegal coking pits (times), cut the use of over 40 million tons of low quality coke, and reduced emissions of soot and dust by 80,000 tons, of SO2 by 120,000 tons, of benzopyrene by over 700 kg. It has investigated and disciplined 580 illegal pollution-discharging enterprises and 95 illegal construction projects in major industries in accordance with the law. In addition, it organized and completed a special research report on environmental policy entitled "Sustainable Development of the National Coal Industry", in which it proposed the concept and procedures for an eco-environment compensation mechanism. This was favorably received by the relevant ministries and commissions under the State Council. During the 10th Five-Year Plan, 14 new nature reserves were established covering 2,522 km2, bringing the total area of nature reserves within the province to 3,647 km2. It has completed the Phase I Project of the "Overall Plan on Atmospheric Pollution Prevention and Control in Shanxi Province" under the China--Norway Cooperation framework.
Jilin Province has tightened management of protected areas, and has stipulated that any land use for construction in State-level scenic places, nature reserves and forest parks set up by law must first be approved by the provincial government. It has stepped up protection of unused lands (including wetlands), and imposed tight restrictions on their use. In addition, it has strictly carried out its overall land-use plan by demarcating areas for use, identifying use conditions and limiting the takeover of farmland for construction. During the 11th Five-Year Plan, various departments will cooperate to draw up a strategy to deal with climate change and design countermeasures. The provincial government will also strengthen its capacity for pollution prevention and control, eco-conservation and environmental monitoring.
Heilongjiang Province has integrated the protection of nature reserves into its plans for economic and social development, strengthened the various institutions in these reserves, and extensively used the mass media to inform and educate the public about nature reserves. It has actively explored new management schemes and ideas for protection and profit sharing through joint participation of parties in and outside the reserves, and eased financing for them. It pays equal attention to the scale and quality of reserve development so as to improve both formation and management. It has made continuous efforts to improve the rural eco-environment by stepping up prevention and control of agricultural non-point pollution, tightening overall management and conservation, increasing infrastructure and farmland hydrology works, preventing and controlling crop pollution, curbing pollution from scaled livestock, poultry and fish farms, and stimulating the all round use of straw.
Zhejiang Province has pursued a parallel policy of strategic restructuring in both agriculture and rural labor, and in the urbanization of rural areas and the formation of new rural communities. It has energetically implemented the project of "reorganizing 10,000 villages and building 1,000 demonstration villages". The Framework Plan for Building the Eco-province of Zhejiang has been carried out in all areas, in order to develop highly efficient ecological agriculture and control agricultural pollution. In addition, it has carried out comprehensive water treatment in river basins and aims to set up a long-term management mechanism. The provincial finance department will earmark 6.358 billion yuan for ecological transfer compensation payments, up by 19.8% year-on-year, of which 4.351 billion yuan will be used as a monetary subsidy fund, up 3.5% year-on-year; 166 million yuan for eco-conservation subsidies, up 1.2% year-on-year; 1.157 billion yuan for eco-conservation compensation, up 157.7% year-on-year; and 454 million yuan for eco-environment management subsidies, a 66.6% increase over the previous year.
Anhui Province has implemented the Ecological Demonstration Project of 100 Towns, 1,000 Villages and 10,000 Households; it has started the Action Plan for Building Environmental Sound and Well-off Rural Areas, looked into and begun to utilize the floodwaters of the Huaihe River, and convert farmlands back to lakes and wash lands. It has expedited the formation of a State-level eco-function reserve in the flood storage and regulation basin of the Huaihe River within Anhui Province, systematically set up animal corridors to gradually connect all scattered protected areas, and experimented with a new "district and county integration" management system for State-level nature reserves (namely, integration of the nature reserve administration with the local town government) so as to coordinate ecological conservation and local economic development.
Fujian Province has fully banned the sale and use of phosphorus-containing detergents, established 3 State-level Beautiful Environment Counties (Towns), initiated a demonstration project on rural environment and hygiene, and jointly launched with Germany a project on the utilization of biomass from livestock and poultry breeding. It has focused on establishing 10 State-level demonstration sites for green farm produce, gradually achieved safety monitoring of farm produce over the full chain "from field to dining table", promoted application of biological soil restoration technologies, and allocated a special fund for comprehensive treatment of the Minjiang and Jiulong River basins. Fuzhou and Xiamen have each allocated 10 million yuan annually to subsidize the cities of Sanming, Nanping, Longyan and Zhangzhou. The provincial government has drawn up a Comprehensive Plan of Water Resources of Fujian Province, employed economic instruments and price mechanisms to regulate the supply and demand of water, focused on setting up a demonstration project for conserving and restoring the wetlands at the mouth of Minjiang River in Changle county; it has basically completed the design of the Sino-German Environmental Protection Cooperation Project on Circular Economy, and identified key projects.
Jiangxi Province has actively promoted 8 representative eco-modes, conducted agricultural EIA on new large-scale livestock and poultry farms, and performed overall treatment on already established ones; it has tightened up general prevention of pesticide use, and capped fertilizer use to achieve more balanced applications. It has increased the environmentally friendly disposal of agricultural wastes, and promoted ecological technologies for the use of straw; it has carried out rational planning for agricultural development and improved health and hygiene in rural areas. It has attached great importance to achieving a balance between arable land acquisition and rehabilitation, and has maintained arable land areas for 17 consecutive years. The provincial government has replicated advanced and applicable water-saving irrigation technologies to preserve water resources. In addition, it has set up special subsidy funds to increase inputs into small-scale farmland water conservancy projects. It has managed the gains from hydropower in accordance with the comprehensive plan for river basins and the rational development of water resources. Also, it has the set up 6 eco-function zones and allocated 10 million yuan for subsidizing province-level public ecological forests and establishing nature reserves.
Shandong Province overall has reached the target of building an eco-province. It has held 39 training courses with 4,300 trainees. It set a timetable for dealing with 100 key industrial pollution sources along the Huaihe River within its jurisdiction, and shut down 28 papermaking, alcohol and starch factories, examined and audited 310 enterprises for clean production, promoted 100 advanced applicable technologies to save energy and water; it has built 71 wastewater treatment plants. It has invested a total of 87.3 billion yuan on urban infrastructure over the last 3 years, more than the total investment of the previous 20. Moreover, the provincial government has worked hard to restore and protect eco-systems, controlled soil erosion over 2,010 km2, spent 524 million yuan on restoration and management of the environment around mines; it launched inspections specifically to monitor enforcement of environmental protection laws, and ordered 12 enterprises with serious infringements to cease operations until they correct their practices.
Henan Province has actively launched a campaign to build Beautiful Environment Towns and Ecological Villages. It has set up demonstration projects on the treatment of pollution from scale livestock and poultry farms, developed an eco-system restoration and management plan for key mining areas, identified zones where excessive use of fertilizer and pesticide needs to be controlled; it has drawn up a plan to establish regional ecological demonstration areas, and incorporated all of these aspects into the annual review of environmental protection performance of governments at all levels. It has also set about drafting the Henan Action Plan for Building Environmentally Sound and Well-off Rural Areas.
Hubei Province has allocated funds to establish centralized and unified management of the Honghu Lake wetlands, which will have charge of overall conservation and utilization of the Lake and will carry out comprehensive management of its environment. Four prefectures and cities have signed the Agreement on the Protection of Liangzi Lake, and are working together to improve water quality and the lake environment. The provincial government has also investigated the status of scale livestock and poultry farms, as well as pollution in key water areas such as the sources for the mid-section of the South-North Water Diversion Project, the Three Gorges Reservoir Area and Honghu Lake. By promoting new wall-building materials, the whole province has saved 1,800 mu (120 hectares) of arable land, 465,000 tons of coal equivalent, yielding a reduction of 11,600 tons of waste gas emissions. Since 2005, 4.97 million rural residents are now covered by a new system of cooperative healthcare. The province has carried out trials on Green GDP, and things are proceeding smoothly.
Guangdong Province has continued to improve its management and development of nature reserves, established State-level eco-demonstration sites, organized and guided the establishment of State-level Beautiful Environment Counties (Towns) and strongly promoted the establishment of province-level ecological demonstration villages (towns, sites, gardens). It has developed the Guangdong Indicator System and Examination Method for Ecological Demonstration Sites; boosted environmental protection in rural areas, performed policy studies and investigations on rural eco-environmental conservation, and through legislation, has given local township organizations a certain degree of administrative power in environmental supervision and management. In addition, during the 11th Five-Year Plan, it will draw up the Regulations of Guangdong Province on Ecological and Environmental Protection in Rural Areas.
Hainan Province has been speeding up reform of the rural financial system in order to increase transparency of rural financial resources and investments. It has facilitated establishing 1,172 various kinds of agro-business organizations and associations, established 690,000 mu (46,000 hectares) of agro-business bases, which have posted revenues of 240 million yuan. It has increased investment in rural education by allocating 277 million yuan to a subsidy fund, benefiting 1.47 million students. The provincial finance department also dedicated 3.13 million yuan to subsidizing 5,490 ethnic students. Between 2004 and 2005, 250 million yuan was spent on renovating and reinforcing 510,000 m2 of rundown school buildings. Commencing from 2005, the provincial government will allocate 100 million yuan a year for renovating existing dilapidated school facilities. In 2005, the province allocated 28.04 million yuan to implement distance learning projects in rural primary and middle schools, and 92 million yuan for county and township health centers. It has invested 12.3 million yuan on the training of key farmer technicians over the past few years. It has taken a number of measures to pay up compensation arrears to farmers for acquisition of collectively owned lands, thus effectively easing the tensions between rural residents and the local government.
Guangxi Autonomous Region has already started building Guangxi into an eco-province (region) and will improve the rural environment to promote development. At present, it is mapping out a pollution prevention and control plan for the major rivers in the autonomous region, in order to promote comprehensive management of river basins.
Sichuan Province has set the objective of building an "Ecological Sichuan" by transforming its mode of economic growth, promoting circular economy, taking a technology-oriented, resource-saving and ecology-conservation path to economic and social development, and by promoting coordinated development between the rural areas, industry and agriculture. It has concentrated its efforts on "treatment of industrial, urban and rural pollution, and on safe drinking water for all," and has taken full measures to tighten monitoring and supervision of ecological security. It is the first province in China to establish a Division of Supervision and Management of Rural Pollution Control. The provincial finance bureau has provided a special subsidy for setting up 9 demonstration projects for wastewater and refuse treatment in small towns, and for comprehensive management of the rural environment. In addition, it has launched the Initiative of Building Environmentally Sound and Well-off Rural Areas and set up demonstration sites. It has also increased inputs in well-digging and seeking water sources under the red soil stratum to ensure clean drinking water for local people.
Guizhou Province has steadily increased its inputs into rural education, healthcare, electric power and transportation infrastructure. In 2005, it invested 20 million yuan to support key enterprises of the province. It has actively promoted new forms of rural energy, with a total of 530,000 biogas digesters built, thus reducing the need for firewood by 1.25 million tons. It has implemented a very strict system to protect arable land resources. Using the river basin as a unit, it has continued the Project on the Comprehensive Environmental Treatment of Hongfeng and Baihua Lakes (Phase III), and urged the completion of zoning of protected drinking water sources in 9 central cities. In addition, it has started full pollution treatment of Sancha River, and continues to promote environmental protection in the river basins of the Qingshui, Wujiang, Chishui and Beipan Rivers. It has also stepped up protection of nature reserves, scenic spots, forest and geological parks, conducted investigation and research on the habitats of major rare species, supported and encouraged research institutes, colleges and universities to study and investigate biodiversity.
Tibet Autonomous Region has invested more than half of its funding for "agriculture, rural areas and farmers" in the development of science and technology. Taking food security as a prerequisite, it has adjusted agricultural structures and will establish a grain emergency response mechanism, a mid- and long-term grain supply and demand mechanism, and a market monitoring and pre-warning system. The local authorities have started monitoring soil quality, guiding local people to use pesticides, fertilizers and agricultural films in a scientific and appropriate way. In addition, it has strongly promoted the use of clean energies like solar energy. It has incorporated the Tibetan Plateau National Biological Safety Shelter into the "11th Five-Year Plan of the Tibet Autonomous Region" to safeguard the regional eco-system and national water resources. With the implementation of Measures on the Administration of Environmental Protection of Drinking Water Sources in the Tibet Autonomous Region in 2005, the autonomous region has raised the water resource fee, added a wastewater treatment fee, and used economic levers to promote intensive use of water resources.
Shaanxi Province in 2004 allocated 2.98 billion yuan for poverty-reduction micro- loans to households, and loans of 1.99 billion yuan to flagship enterprises engaged in the manufacture of agricultural and food products; it gave technical skills training to breadwinners in 30,000 poor families. It has completed the funding of 1.2 billion yuan for World Bank Poverty-Reduction Projects with an average investment of 4,000 yuan per family. It has classified land resources and is now able to conduct their rational development and management. It has focused on increasing control of soil and water erosion, efficient land and water usage in the Loess Plateau. In addition, it has allocated 6 million yuan to a special fund for environmental controls, such as bans on burning straw and its full utilization. The provincial government has directed the Program on Prevention and Control of Water Pollution in the Weihe River Basin, and the Plan for Prevention and Control of Water Pollution, Water and Soil Conservation of the Hanjiang and Danjiang Rivers (Shaanxi Section). Moreover, it has drawn up the Plan on the State-level Eco-function Protected Area of Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province, completed a survey of the current eco-environment and the Eco-function Zoning of Shaanxi Province, and organized investigations into alien invasive species.
Gansu Province has identified its policy priorities as education and awareness-raising on environmental protection for rural residents, setting up effective environmental protection trial sites in rural areas, and reinforcing the control of non-point pollution. By providing information, education and publicity, the understanding and awareness of the importance of environmental protection among rural residents has grown. The provincial government has pushed environmental protection by carrying out trials on ecological demonstration sites and enthusiastically exploring new modes. In addition, it has actively promoted conservation of biodiversity and management of nature reserves. The 47 nature reserves across the province cover a total area of 8.35 million hectare, or 19.5% of the provincial territory, higher than the national average of 12.9%. The provincial government has implemented a series of "Green" initiatives such as the establishment of "green villages and towns", "green families" and "green mines" in order to further environmental protection in rural areas. It also held training programs on rural environmental protection, which were attended by over 3,000 people.
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has drawn up, after trials, a comprehensive plan for treatment of rural agricultural non-point pollution for the entire autonomous region. It has developed rural standards, established a database on comprehensive treatment projects of rural agricultural non-point pollution, and set up and improved long-term mechanisms. In addition, it has made sustained and concentrated efforts to prevent and control water pollution, focusing on improving the water quality of the main stream of the Yellow River. Remarkable achievements in this regard have been registered, especially in the prevention and control of industrial effluent pollution. The provincial authority has promoted the practice of circular economy with the utilization of almost 20 million tons of up-to-the-standard industrial effluent each year for irrigation of commercial forests that provide raw materials for papermaking, initially meeting the target of zero discharge of industrial effluent. It has introduced market mechanisms into environmental protection. As a result pollution prevention and control have evolved from individual acts of enterprises into matters of division of labor, and supply and demand, characteristic of a market economy, thus opening new avenues for controlling water pollution.
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has adopted relevant recommendations in parts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the Policy Recommendations. It has also proposed that the prevention and control of rural non-point pollution, EIA on the development plan of river basins, development of organic foods and saving water should all be placed at the top of the agenda of eco-environment conservation.
Annex Ⅱ of Work Report of CCICED
Report on CCICED Finances in 2005
Introduction
There is no annual assessment or burden-sharing formula applied to Members of the Council. All contributions are voluntary.
As in the past, income forecasts are reported on a calendar year basis. They are reported in American dollars because that is the unit of account for the Council, even though many contributions are made in a variety of other currencies.
The Rules of Procedure make several references to funding including the following points:
1 The funding for the Council comes from contributions of the Chinese government and international donors.
2 The Council will set up a core funding mechanism to finance activities that are unable to obtain financial support.
3 The Secretariat and the Secretariat Canadian Office will administer core funding funds that enter their respective accounts according to their respective financial regulations and rules.
4 The core funding funds will be audited annually by a third independent auditing agency.
5 The Council will actively seek contributions from organizations that are interested in cooperation with the Council. The Council will also make specific arrangements to ensure systematic, continuous financial and other support necessary for carrying out the Council's activities.
The foregoing references to "core funding" were explained in the following excerpt from the Project Implementation Plan for CCICED Phase III agreed to by China and Canada and made available to other donors:
Two types of funding are described below: core financing and dedicated financing. For the purposes of this document, core financing is defined as funding which supports the Council's core operations: its Annual General Meeting, Task Forces, Lead Experts and Secretariat; core financing is not tied to any specific purpose. Dedicated financing is defined as being provided to the Council for a specific purpose, for instance the funding of a particular TF.… Untied core funding will ensure that the Council has sufficient funds with which to plan its activities, as well as to ensure Task Forces operations.
Income
To date, the following pledges have been made to CCICED Phase III.
• Chinese contribution over the five-year period will amount to RMB 10.0 M in cash for core funding, plus the provision of staff, facilities and local costs estimated at RMB 22.0 M.
• CIDA pledged 8.0M CDN$ over 5 years (or 5.3M US$ @1.5) - all for core funding.
• Norwegian NORAD pledged 10.0M NOK ($1.3M) core funds over 5 years (with 85% for TFs).
• Swedish SIDA pledged 8.0M SEK core funds for 2003-04 plus 7.9M SEK for 2005-06 (with 85% for TFs).
• British DFID pledged UK 0.63M over 3 years for the Environmental and Natural Resources Pricing and Taxation TF.
• German GTZ pledged 2.0 M Euro over 5 years with average of 19% for core activities such as annual meetings and other activities.
• Japanese Ministry of Environment pledged 27.0M Japan Yen over 2 years to Eco-Compensation TF. OEEC contributed 1.5M Japan yen to this AGM.
• US Environmental Defense pledged 0.2M US$ over 2 years to Environmental Governance TF.
• Shell (China) Limited offered 0.2M RMB to the Secretariat this year.
Attached are two tables.
• "CCICED 2005 Indicative Budget" shows (by purpose and donor) the approximate value in US$ of all cash commitments that are expected during calendar year 2005. They total $3,966,000. It also makes a distinction between core funding ($2,753,000) and dedicated funding ($1,213,000)
• "In-kind Support from Chinese Side for CCICED". This gives a detailed breakdown of the annual Chinese "In-kind Support" totaling RMB 5,300,000.
The financial support from all sources is of great importance to CCICED and much appreciated, as are the many in-kind contributions made, not only by China, but also by NGO's, institutions and many individual experts. The latter are too numerous to mention here but are acknowledged in the Task Force Reports.
Expenses
There are currently eight Task Forces (TF) being financially supported by CCICED that are scheduled to report to the Council either this year or next year. They are listed on page 1 of the attached table.
In all, five Task Forces will present their reports this year:
Sustainable Transportation TF, Environmental and Natural Resources Pricing and Taxation TF, Circular Economy Strategy TF, Sustainable Urbanization TF and Economic Growth and Environment TF (sometimes known a "Green GDP Task Force").
The three Task Forces that will report in 2006 are currently underway and a fourth Task Force may be added later. In the case of the 2006 Task Forces, the figures are rough estimates of what portion of multi-year pledges will be used in 2005.
At each Annual General Meeting during Phase III (years 2002-2006), the Council will receive and discuss a maximum of 5 TF final reports. By dropping the requirement to hear many TF reports annually, the Council aims to optimize the time available for discussion of urgent issues. The other relevant factor in this Phase is the new rule that normally each TF will have two years to complete its work program. In a few cases however, the Bureau may decide to ask a TF to report within one year or to extend the mandate of an existing TF because it is best positioned to undertake new work that would meet a high priority need for China.
At the start of Phase III, we estimated that each Task Force would normally require approximately US$300,000 annually. However, this figure has had to be adjusted in several special cases and this year the average is close to $500,000.
Most other expenses are easier to estimate. The following annual costs which are forecast for this year should continue to be about the same in 2006 (the last year of Phase III).
Council meetings (including travel costs) =$409,000
Headquarters Secretariat =$283,000
Canadian Secretariat =$200,000
Lead Experts =$275,000
In-kind Support from Chinese Side
for CCICED Phase III (on an annual basis)
The grant total is RMB5,300,000 Yuan. The detailed breakdown are as follows:
A. Secretariat: RMB 750,000 Yuan, including rental for the office for the Secretariat, expenditure for water, electricity, daily communication, transportation, office facilities and other supporting logistic back ups;
B. Task Forces: RMB 3,150,000 Yuan for 9 task forces for 2004-2005, including office rental, office facilities, water and electricity, daily communication, transportation, cost for supporting research fellows and logistic back ups;
C. Lead Expert and assistants (6 persons): RMB 250,000 Yuan, including office and meeting rental, water and electricity, daily communication, transportation, depreciation of office facilities and logistic back ups;
D. Preparation for AGM: RMB 350,000 Yuan, including the personnel input from parties related;
E. Supporting cost for the Secretariat, TFs and Lead Expert and his assistants from local governments, enterprises, research institutes, universities and colleges for the following activities: side visits, investigations, meetings, demonstration projects and etc, which adds up to RMB 800,000 Yuan.
Please kindly note that the actual supporting costs from some local governments are much more than the estimated figure than RMB800,000 Yuan in Item E.
1] *CIDA pledged CDN$ 8.0M over 5 years (or 5.3M US$ @1.5) - all for core funding
