The Olympic Movement's Agenda 21 is Beijing's guideline for hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. One of the themes for Beijing 2008 is a "Green Olympics" if it is selected to host the Games. Hosting of the Games in Beijing will serve as a "catalyst" for environmental improvement and help promote sustainable development in Beijing and China.
Beijing will invest a total of 12.2 billion U.S. dollars in protecting the ecological environment in the period of 1998-2007.
Since 1998, Beijing has invested a total of 3.63 billion U.S. dollars in spreading the use of clean fuels, controlling gas pollutant emission, treating wastewater, safe disposal of solid waste and protecting wild life species.
Beijing has adopted strict emission standards since 1999, which require a reduction of emissions by 80 percent. During period from 2004 to 2007, Beijing will adopt even stricter standards so as to further reduce emission by 60 percent.
By 2007, 90 percent of the buses and 70 percent of the taxis will use clean natural gas. Five new subway lines will be built, totaling 114 kilometers in length. The handling capacity of the city's bus services will reach 19.5 million persons per day.
By 2007, Beijing will consume five times as much natural gas as in 2000. No fuel coal will be used except in a few large boilers in power plants.
By 2007, 14 more wastewater treatment plants will be built to increase the treating capacity to 90 percent of the total the city produced. And 50 percent of the treated wastewater will be reused. In addition, Beijing will maintain the balance between the demand for and supply of water by expanding water sources and encouraging water saving.
