Founded nearly half a century ago, NRDC has grown into an international network of more than 3 million environmental supporters and 600 scientists, legal professionals, and legislative activists who work to protect the earth’s finite natural resources through advocacy, education, and global research partnerships. Among other priorities, NRDC works to end the reliance on fossil fuels while reducing pollution around the world and has been especially active in China.
Paralleling China’s burgeoning economy, its rate of pollution has swelled over the past two decades. Research indicates that China’s reliance on coal has been largely responsible for more than 1.2 million pollution-related deaths, while the country’s busy transport hubs that serve dirty-fuel-burning ships act as another major source of pollution.
In response, NRDC has partnered with think tanks and industry groups in China to develop strategies for eliminating pollution by reducing the use of coal in the country’s factories and plants. Other NRDC-China initiatives include lending expertise in harbor clean-up projects and delivering policy analysis and legal advice to encourage the country to develop a strong environmental regulatory framework.