The ecosystems in far reaching regions of Asia are severely endangered. The heedless exploitation of natural resources and the incessant destruction of nature threaten the basic living standards of vast numbers of people.
Environmental Disasters in India
The grand-scale mining of fossil fuels in north-eastern India (Jharkhand, Orissa) destroys not only the local ecosystem, but also displaces the predominantly indigenous population from their habitat, their work and from their very patters of life and culture.
The virtually irreversible destruction of entire regions leads to migration of the local population and to devastating environmental disasters.
With its adverse droughts, floods and cyclones, the Indian state of Orissa is classified as a climatic crisis area. In particular coal mining and the extreme CO2 emissions in this region originate this drastic climate change. Drafts for a sustainable energy reform calling for structural changes in energy demand do not get implemented.
Energy and Environmental Crisis in China
China is one of the major greenhouse gas emitters, and at the same time suffers over proportionally from the effects of climate change. The dilemma between its economic aspirations and industrialisation of the underdeveloped western provinces on the one hand, and environmental and climatic protection in general on the other, seems almost inconceivable to be solved. Sustainable improvement of the environmental situation demands huge financial investments in new technologies. As an indispensable condition for mastering the environmental challenges, the Heinrich Böll Foundation promotes education and training, the rule of law, responsible media and a strengthened civil society.
According to Agenda 21, the basic prerequisites for the future-oriented safeguarding of humane living conditions, is an ecologically sustainable economic model as well as the socially just distribution of its outputs. The offices in China and India promote environmental awareness by supporting the networking of national NGOs, educating civil society on sustainable development, and organising regional and international exchange programmes.
Our Focus
In accordance to the above, the focuses of our environmental work at the Heinrich Böll Foundation are:
- Energy
- Climate protection
- Environmental management
To this end, the Foundation supports ecological non-governmental organisations, research and educational institutions.
Energy Politics in India and Thailand
The Delhi office is initiating a German-Indian energy dialogue on questions concerning energy security, energy efficiency and renewable energies. This dialogue is being carried out with German and Indian experts, politicians and representatives from the economic sector. The network of NGOs in Thailand that pursue energy political causes, such as Palang Tai, TERRA, and AEPS, follow up on governmental decisions and reform discussions with regards to criteria of sustainability, efficiency and equity. Both programmes promote the future of renewable energies and initiate critical debates on the use of nuclear energy through public campaigns.
Environmental Issues in China
Due to its ongoing economic growth, China is emerging as a global economic power. Meanwhile it is becoming apparent that the Government is turning away from outdated growth patterns. In its five-year plan of March 2006 the Government has set itself ambitious goals regarding its environmental policies.
Significant Internal Problems
China has internal problems to battle against: the fruits of the economic boom are extremely unequally distributed; environmental destruction is intensifying noticeably. Systemic challenges pose a threat to Government approaches and call for more equitable and sustainable management. The high AIDS ratio, the cataclysmic environmental damage and the constitutional deficits (wide-spread corruption, lack of participation by civil society) shape the image of the new super-power.
Due to the political situation in China and its consequent work conditions, activities of the foundation are centred on
- developing non-governmental organisations
- state institutions and
- state administration and authorities
Thematic Focuses
Major topics covered by the foundation are:
- ecology
- sustainability
- women’s politics
- civil society
Partner Organisations
Together with its project partner CANGO, the Beijing office organises trainings for NGOs on corporate social responsibility. The Heinrich Böll Foundation in Beijing supported the implementation of a research project for the evaluation of energy consumption and pollution in cities. This project compiles practical and constructive implementation recommendations for a green GDP.
Environmental Issues in Thailand
The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s central focus in Thailand is in the field of democratisation, development, and the strengthening of civil society. In addition, our office supports activities in Myanmar.
Thematic Focuses
The Foundation supports projects and activities in Thailand in the areas of
- Sustainable energy policies in Thailand
The Heinrich Böll Foundation in Thailand focuses on the promotion of sustainable energy policies. The principle focus is to sensitise Thai society on its responsibilities regarding climate change and to promote renewable energies. - Tsunami Aid Watch
This project links the long-term planning, implementation and decision-making processes of communal development projects with processes of reconstruction. The main local partner is Save Andaman Network (SAN), a consortium of NGOs engaged in the reconstruction of areas affected by the Tsunami. Key aspects in this field are transparency of decision-making processes and the participation of women and men in reconstruction work.