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Tony Blair joins with the Climate Group to launch China Redesign programme in Beijing

Tony Blair today joined with international NGO The Climate Group has launched a new programme – China Redesign – which will help China’s cities to develop and implement low carbon growth strategies. Those cities participating in the programme will cooperate with national and international low-carbon technology suppliers, financial institutions and academic experts, to find solutions tailored to their different needs.

With an unprecedented urban growth rate, cities are seen as central to China’s climate challenge. The responsibility for achieving the national energy intensity and emissions reduction targets set out in China’s 12th Five Year Plan - 16% and 17% respectively – has been allocated to local governments. This brings challenges, but also enormous opportunities for Chinese cities and businesses.

Speaking at the launch event in Beijing, Tony Blair said: “The decisions made and actions taken by China now will shape the course of the 21^st Century. As a nation, China has the opportunity to lead the world in the low carbon economy, but China’s cities are where the foundations for green growth will be laid. China Redesign incorporates all of the ingredients required for success – technology, planning, finance – and The Climate Group is well placed to lead this effort.”

Mark Kenber, CEO, The Climate Group, says: “The Climate Group has significant international experience in bringing regional governments and businesses together to collaborate on game-changing initiatives. China Redesign will help Chinese cities take the crucial leadership on climate change required. This is where the Clean Revolution will be won or lost.”

Working in five cities, China Redesign aims to scale-up the use of key low-carbon technologies by facilitating a conversation between city decision makers, businesses and financiers so that effective policies and innovative financing models are created over the next three years. Ten demonstration projects will showcase holistic solutions in renewable energy, urban planning, sustainable transport, green building and construction, energy management, project finance and green industrialisation.

The results of the three year programme will be published in a manual and project toolkit, so that the strategies and projects can be replicated by further cities in China and other developing economies.

Changhua Wu, Director of the Climate Group Greater China, says, “The next five years are critical for China’s development. We will explore integrated solutions that support low carbon urban growth through this platform. Our communications and outreach programme will create momentum, inspiring even more low carbon urban infrastructure projects, and stimulating China’s Clean Revolution.”

Several provincial and city partners have expressed interest in China Redesign, including

Guangdong Province, Guiyang City, Hangzhou City, Tianjin City, Wuhan City, Congqing City and Dezhou City. Supporting Partners include China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group (CECEP), Cisco, En+ Group, GE, JCI, New Cities Foundation and Philips.

For further information on The Climate Group and the latest news on China Redesign Programme please visit: www.theclimategroup.org (English) and www.theclimategroup.org.cn (Mandarin)

WATCH China Daily's interview with Tony Blair at the China Redesign Launch event