Earlier this year China produced its new Five Year Plan which will run from 2011 to 2015. The plan is ambitious, setting specific targets around economic growth, innovation and a massive transition to clean energy. The Chinese Premiere, Wen Jiabao, has alot of work to do and his 5 year term, which comes up for renewal in 2013, will be made or broken on the delivery of these plans. The same applies for his successor if he fails to get another term. From the outset it appears that China is confidently approaching the next five years with the mindset of pioneering new ideas, setting a benchmark for innovation and aiming to own the ‘green’ technology.
This is drive for ideas and innovation is clear in lieu of one particular target which says that China aims to have 3.3 new patents for every 10 000 people in the country by 2015. If we quickly calculate this, assuming a population of 1.35 billion people divided by 10 000, we get the figure of 135 000. Multiply this by 3.3 and the astonishing figure of 445 500 new patents the final figure!
Although the current levels (as of July 2011) stand around 2.0 new patents for every 10 000 people, China aims to increase this focus on innovation by committing 2.2% of its GDP to R & D. The innovation will surely come across every industry imaginable as the Chinese embrace this goal with their usual approach of industriousness and hard work. It is however, the arena of sustainable technology where I think China will truly come to the party.
Judging from the numerous goals toward being more environmentally minded, it appears as though China is putting a stake in the ground by wanting to ‘own’ green & sustainable technology. Although the global trend of sustainable technology innovation has been doddering forward for the last five years no country has yet pioneered the movement towards a universal tipping point. Perhaps China, with their ambitious targets will be the first…? Already there is an emphasis on the development of energy efficiency and nonfossil fuels in addition to the Chinese government’s pledge to reduce the amount of carbon emitted per unit of gross domestic product by 40% by 2020.
It makes sense…China is a massive country with huge energy needs, a large population to feed and a history of treating the environment badly. Perhaps they have realised that their current processes are unsustainable and the stringent regulation and drive for innovation is the starting point for a transition to a more sustainable and environmentally harmonious nation. If you look at their five year plan, you will also see a major move towards Reform in government, industry and, significantly, perception.
