Jonathan Watts: Let's learn environmental lessons from China

China is the world’s fastest growing major economy. It has just overtaken Japan as the world’s second largest economy.

New Zealand is the first developed country to negotiate a free trade agreement with China, in 2008. We want to grow trade with China, as outlined in the Government’s newly released Opening Doors to China strategy.

But China’s growth has come at a cost. The country faces an environmental crisis with fossil fuel pollution, water shortages and deforestation.

To develop sustainable trade with China (and indeed sustainable business at home) New Zealanders need the full picture of China’s situation – both its economic development and its environmental challenges.

Who better to give us these insights than Jonathan Watts, award-winning Guardian Asia correspondent and author of When a Billion Chinese Jump?

In this fascinating and graphic presentation Jonathan will describe the impact of development on China’s environment and the lessons for New Zealand.

This presentation is a must-see for anyone who is:
a) doing business with China
b) concerned about sustainability

Jonathan’s New Zealand tour has been organised and paid for by commercial cleaning franchise Paramount Services, which is striving to create more environmentally responsible and sustainable workplaces.

Ticket price of $35 (incl. GST) for all events includes beer, wine or non-alcoholic drink and canapés. Proceeds will go to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand.