The apparent economic recovery calls for a low-carbon society, and new energy is destined to work as an engine for new economic growth, a common voice heard at the 2nd World Environmental Protection and New Energy Development Conference in China.

The conference, backed by all social parties and the United Nation Environmental Program (UNEP), was organized by the International Energy Conservation Environmental Protection Association (IEEPA) and Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences (CSES) in Beijing on October 29, 2009.

Addressing the development for a clean economy, Wei Jianguo, secretary-general of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges and former vice minister of commerce, attached much importance to the new energy industry in the post-crisis era.

"To cope with the financial crisis, many countries have been taking the new energy industry as one of the most important measures to expand demand, create jobs and stimulate economic recovery," he said. "With new technology breakthroughs, the new energy industry will possibly take a lead among present global industries."

However, as an emerging industry, it runs great risks with large investments and low competition in the market, making government support necessary. "Enterprises which carry on further research and development in this field will get both technological and financial support from the Chinese government. The detailed policy is being discussed," Wei emphasized at the end of his speech.

Wang Maolin, president of the Chinese Association of Productivity Science and former vice director of the NPC Law Committee, echoed similar points throughout his report. "China will possibly roll out its new energy development plan in 2009, if everything goes smoothly," he added. "And clean coal technology will be one of the most important aspects included."

Currently, China has a coal-based energy structure, with its coal consumption amounting to 27 percent of the global total, emphasized Wang. Great challenges are still ahead for the country to fight climate change, as greenhouse gas emissions are, to a great extent, attributed to coal burning.

In 2008, the Chinese government invested 3.8 billion yuan in the new energy field, and it has been seeing an annual growth of 20 percent for years. Four key areas are being largely targeted, according to Wei: wider usage of renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy and bioenergy; promotion of clean traditional energy, including coal, oil and gas; development of nuclear energy; and production of clean fuel for vehicles.

At the opening ceremony, Blake Margison, representative of the International Energy Conservation Environmental Protection Association (IEEAP), made a declaration on world environmental protection. Chen Guangbiao, president of a recycling business in Jiangsu Province and a noted philanthropist, also made a speech to urge immediate action as the green ambassador for "Green World," an activity launched on April 22, also known as Earth Day, to promote energy conservation and environmental protection.

Also, an awarding ceremony was held to praise the efforts of the top 100 enterprises which influenced China the most in world environmental protection and the new energy industry.