China as a whole faces water scarcity and the World Bank has listed it as one of the 13 most water-scarce countries. However, water-scarce China also has number of water sources that have had their status revoked. According to incomplete statistics, there have been 162 delisted water source protection sites across the country. Thirsty China, why are drinking water sources being delisted? This report will help you find out more.

In 2017, the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs entered its second decade. Over the past 10 years, we have continuously promoted comprehensive information disclosure and multiplied the number of environmental data records. We have upgraded the Blue Map over time, moving toward more real-time sharing of environmental information, and actively expanded cross-sector applications of the Blue Map database, using the platform to strengthen corporate oversight. At the onset of the next 10 years, we remain true to our initial vision and carry the same mission of defending clear water and blue skies.

On December 25, the 2018 Pollution Information Transparency Index was released in Beijing, indicating that China’s environmental supervision information disclosure continued to expand during the 2017-2018 year. Daily regulatory information disclosure by leading cities is becoming more normalized, but to achieve pollution response targets, more areas must pursue follow up actions.

October 25, 2018 – The Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) published the fifth annual Green Supply Chain CITI (Corporate Information Transparency Index) evaluation report in Beijing. The report shows that environmental big data generates innovative solutions to help leading multinational and local brands develop green procurement on a greater scale.

The Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE) and the CDP jointly released in October 2018 the report, “Supply Chain Climate Action SCTI Index”, which examines the GHG emissions management of 118 IT and textile industry brands. This report recommends that more brands start by promoting the quantification and disclosure of supply chain GHG emissions data. At the same time, appeal to the government to accelerate the monitoring, reporting and verification of enterprises’ GHG emissions data, which would create favorable conditions for brands and companies to push their suppliers in China to quantify their GHG emissions and set emissions reduction targets. With continuous disclosure, companies will then be able to verify the values and credibility of emissions reductions.

In August 2018, environmental groups conducted an investigation on environmental pollution in Starbucks cup supply chains. They sent a letter to inquire as to whether Starbucks knew of the environmental violations of its straw cup and accompanying cup suppliers, and to advocate for rectification and public explanation. To date, Starbucks has yet to respond. A cup might seem the same, one that comes from clean production versus one whose production pollutes the environment, but their impact on health and the environment may be vastly different. We hope that Starbucks can make a meaningful change to provide consumers with truly green products.

The investigative report issued by IPE and Lüse Jiangnan on May 21st highlighted that Xiaomi has long avoided addressing pollution along its supply chain for the past four year. The report also drew attention to one of its suppliers Ichia, which was found with suspected violation. According to the Taiwanese media, Ichia Technologies, Inc.(Code: 2402) has been suspended for trading on June 29th following an announcement that the production of Ichia Suzhou has been put on halt.