Mrs. Rør gave a speech on how the recovery policies and stimulus packages can be used for environmental purposes, but that it is also important to look for long term initiatives. Norway has a special responsibility to create a global green economy and has made some progress and experiences that could be helpful for other countries, including China. In Norway the national government plays the key role, and a comprehensive “tool-box” of policy instruments and a set of environmental legislation have able Norway to come a long way in making a green economy. Even though there is every reason to be impressed by the Chinese stimulus package’s focus on environment there are still experiences that China can learn from. She mainly touched upon five areas: economic instruments that works, e.g. taxation on emission; to make environmental requirements integrated in the sector of legislation and policies; green purchasing within the public sector; strengthen access on environmental information; and a stronger commitment to build up stronger international governance in the environmental field.
The Conference is held annually by All-China Environment Federation (ACEF). This year the forum was hosted by Ministry of Environmental Protection and UNEP. More than 500 participants from other departments, provinces, universities and research institutes were present. The main topic for this year’s conference was "Strengthening Ecological Civilization and promoting Green Economy".