In China, one cannot help but to be awed by the power that, when used, can move mountains…. or somewhat cynical when reading articles about how local governments must now buy green.

According to the article Local government requires green procurement, local officials are being encouraged to spend the money on green items in the following categories:

air conditioners, fluorescent lamps, televisions, electric water heaters, computers, printers, computer monitors, urinals and toilet pans and water nozzles.

All categories that I would agree are in need of “greening”, but one cannot help but wonder if this is the most effective means to the end.

If the central party were really concerned about the energy consumption of its local members, perhaps starting off with developing building codes for all new government buildings would be a better start. Mandatory 5 cm of insullation, solar panel arays, rain water capturing, double paned windows, and located near a metro stop

Additionally, I would mandate that all new car for government officials and state owned executives must be hybrid or electric (domestic or foreign). support BYD and Anhui Chery in their automotive forays, and create the largest market for hybrids in the world. Which auto producer wouldn’t kill for that contract?

alternatively, were the Chinese government suggesting through this statement that a lot of the white goods being produced are not energy efficient, why not just mandate that all white goods produced in China must attain an appropriate rating?

why not simply force the industry to act vs. the consumer and remove any potential that the local SOE assistant vice secretary may get confused when looking for the new refrigerator?

Make it easy for everyone to go green. Regulate it.