国际可持续发展研究所-中国土壤修复项目管理和融资指南（英）-2022.2-78页_2mb

Summary of "Guidebook on the Management and Financing of Soil Rehabilitation Projects in China"

Core Content

This guidebook provides an overview of the challenges and strategies involved in managing and financing soil rehabilitation projects in China. It is part of a five-year project supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at promoting institutional partnerships, mutual learning, and the use of green finance mechanisms to address contaminated soil issues in line with China's environmental priorities.

Main Focus

The guidebook is structured to address both technical and financial aspects of soil remediation, with a special emphasis on:

• Site identification and risk assessment of contaminated areas.
• Stakeholder analysis and governance structures in China.
• Financing models and instruments to support soil rehabilitation.

Key Sections and Content

1.0 Introduction

• Healthy soil is essential for ecosystem services, food production, and climate regulation.
• Human activities such as mining, industrial processes, and waste disposal have led to widespread soil contamination.
• Soil remediation is primarily funded by public sources, but private investment and green finance are underutilized.
• The guidebook aims to provide a framework for stakeholders to initiate investigations, conduct risk assessments, and evaluate financial options.

2.0 International Practices for Contaminated Sites Management

• The guidebook draws on the Minamata Convention on Mercury (2019), which outlines a standardized approach to managing contaminated sites.
• The risk assessment process includes five key steps:
  1. Hazard identification: Determining the presence and distribution of pollutants.
  2. Exposure evaluation: Identifying how pollutants affect sensitive populations.
  3. Toxicity evaluation: Assessing the health risks posed by pollutants.
  4. Risk characterization: Calculating the risk based on exposure pathways.
  5. Calculation of remediation target values: Setting thresholds for acceptable risk levels.

2.1 Site Identification and Characterization

• The guidebook uses mercury (Hg) as a case study contaminant.
• Screening levels for Hg contamination are set at 14 mg/kg.
• China has several Hg-mining areas, with the largest being the Wanshan Hg-mining area (WMMA) in Guizhou Province.
• The Hg-mining areas and chemical plants using the Hg cathode technique are highlighted as key sources of contamination.

2.2 Contaminated Site Risk Assessment

• The risk assessment process is detailed, focusing on Hg.
• Exposure pathways include oral ingestion (via groundwater and food), inhalation of atmospheric Hg, and skin contact.
• Toxicity parameters for Hg are outlined, including reference doses and concentrations.
• Risk characterization shows that Hg exposure in Wanshan Township (WSZ) is the highest, with non-carcinogenic risk quotients exceeding acceptable levels (HQnc > 1).
• Remediation target values are calculated to ensure that risk levels are reduced below acceptable thresholds, with a soil Hg target value of 46 mg/kg.

2.3 Options for Managing the Risks Posed by Contaminated Sites

• A range of risk management options and remediation measures are discussed.
• These include:
  • Risk management options: Approaches to reduce exposure through containment, monitoring, and regulation.
  • Remediation measures: Techniques such as soil washing, phytoremediation, and stabilization.

3.0 Governance Structure of Soil Remediation Projects in China

• The governance structure is analyzed, highlighting the stakeholder involvement and legal framework.
• China has a legal system for soil prevention and control, but land ownership complexities pose challenges to implementation.
• Stakeholder engagement is emphasized, with examples from different regions showing the role of government, industry, and communities in soil rehabilitation.

4.0 Financing Soil Remediation in China

• Challenges in soil remediation financing include:
  • Limited private sector participation.
  • Insufficient funding mechanisms.
  • Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on financial resources.
• Financial instruments available include:
  • Domestic government resources.
  • Firm and individual resources.
  • Bond proceeds.
  • Climate funds.
• The guidebook evaluates the applicability of these instruments to the context of China's soil rehabilitation needs.

5.0 Summary and Recommendations

• The guidebook concludes with recommendations for improving the management and financing of soil rehabilitation projects.
• It emphasizes the need for:
  • Strengthening governance and legal frameworks.
  • Enhancing technical capacity and risk assessment methodologies.
  • Encouraging private investment and green finance.
  • Promoting institutional partnerships and international cooperation.

Key Information

• Target contaminant: Mercury (Hg), used as a case study.
• Screening level for Hg: 14 mg/kg.
• Wanshan Hg-mining area:
  • Located in Tongren City, Guizhou.
  • Covers 45 km².
  • Has been a major source of Hg pollution for over 630 years.
  • Hg concentration in soil varies by distance gradient.
• Key contaminated sites in China:
  • Hg-mining areas.
  • Chemical plants using Hg cathode technique.
  • Gold-mining areas.
  • Coal-fired power plants.
  • Non-ferrous metal-smelting areas.
  • Landfill and incineration sites.
  • Hg-containing products plants (e.g., fluorescent lamps, batteries).
• Risk assessment methodology:
  • Based on international standards and Chinese technical guidelines.
  • Includes hazard identification, exposure assessment, toxicity evaluation, risk characterization, and remediation target calculation.
• Risk characterization results:
  • Hg exposure risk in WSZ is the highest.
  • Non-carcinogenic risk quotients exceed the acceptable threshold (HQnc > 1).
  • Remediation target value for soil Hg is set at 46 mg/kg.

Conclusion

This guidebook serves as a comprehensive resource for stakeholders in soil rehabilitation, offering insights into best practices, governance models, and financial mechanisms. It highlights the need for a multi-faceted approach that integrates technical, legal, and financial strategies to effectively manage and fund soil rehabilitation projects in China.