Promoting Sino-UK Collaboration on Developing Low Carbon and Sustainable Methodologies for Brownfields and Marginal Land Re-use in China

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation and changes in land use resulting from industrial change has left a legacy of vast polluted industrial and commercial areas (also called brownfields) and marginal land areas. Recent evidence from the UK, EU and USA indicate that these land areas may have considerable potential for renewables production, for example from solar, wind or biomass. In parallel there are opportunities for carbon storage in rehabilitated soil, as well as substitution by the production of renewables. The UK is also leading the understanding in the wider parallel benefits that can be achieved from ecosystem services and public health benefits from improved provision of green space. These multiple services can be provided together, in synergy, from soft re-uses of post-industrial sites, and in this way the post-industrial regeneration areas in China should be seen as a major opportunity for new enterprise, society and the wider environment. The improving bankability of renewable energy projects, and the possibility of creating a voluntary carbon offset business, means that revenue streams may be sufficient to pay for ongoing land management over time as a profit generating activity. In terms of fastest benefit to UK PLC and China, the likelihood is that combination of renewable energies with “dual use” for habitat will provide both more readily commercial brownfield re-use opportunities for cities in China in the short term, and also create better carbon management opportunities, as well as a variety of wider sustainability benefits. Thus this type of re-uses will create a platform for rapid commercial exchange and development between Chinese and UK companies. Considering that China is preparing an action plan for managing soil pollution and remediation across the country estimated to be RMB 7tn which is equivalent to one-third of the national exchange reserves, this report on developing low carbon and sustainable methodologies for brownfields and marginal land re-use in China provides timely information that will support the decision making for sustainable remediation opportunities in China.

The report is intended to serve as a tool and resource guide to stakeholders involved in land remediation willing to engage in sustainable remediation implementation for renewable energy and carbon management applications. It is intended to inform remediation stakeholders unfamiliar with sustainable remediation about the concept, practices, and available resources. The report capitalises on UK leadership positions on the sustainable rehabilitation of brownfields land (SURF-UK), the soft re-use of brownfields (e.g. for energy or amenity rather than buildings); effective end-use directed risk management for contaminated land, and sustainable remediation.