Symposium on Environmental Statistics Held in Beijing

On December 19, 2007, the Statistic division of the  Planning and Finance Department under the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) convened the symposium on “Pilot Technical Scheme of National Reform on Environmental Statistics (Draft)” in Beijing.

Mr. Jia Jinhu, Chief of the Statistic Division, introduced the background of the meeting. In accordance with the main tasks put forward in the “Suggestions on Strengthening and Improving Environmental Statistic Work” by SEPA, the pilot project has formulated specific working and technical plan focusing on improving the statistic methods and optimizing the indicator system. The objective of this project is to develop a reform scheme on environmental statistics for decision makers through trial utilization of new statistics method and indicator system. There are two advantages that can be taken by this project: first, the national census on pollution sources has provided the environmental statistic reform with historical opportunities and platform; and second, the pollution reduction has brought about higher requirements to environmental statistic work which has attracted attention from leaders at all levels.

In the conference, Doctor Yu Fang from CAEP introduced the existing major issues and the overall thinking, work contents and technical routes of the pilot work of environmental statistic reform. The representatives conducted discussion and aired their opinions. All representatives agreed on the targets and methods of the pilot work.

Mr. Jia also answered questions raised by the participants and defined the independent and dynamic features of the pilot work. Management system on environmental statistic quality will be initially established.

Strategy Planning Department

December 21, 2007