The objective is to improve air quality and reduce air pollutions, such as CO2 emissions, particulate matter, SO2 emissions, and NOx emissions, through replacing coal with natural gas in rural villages in outskirts of Beijing.
The project will finance the construction of natural gas distribution networks in and around 510 rural villages of Beijing, including the installation of low-pressure village gas pipelines, household connections and household gas consumption meters. Upon completion, the Project will bring large economic and environmental benefits, including annual energy savings of around 113,000 tons of standard coal equivalent. Net of emissions of burning natural gas, the Project is estimated annually to reduce CO2 emissions by 595,700 tons, PM2.5 by 3,700 tons, SO2 emissions by 1,488 tons, and NOx emissions by 4,442 tons. The Project will also have a substantial social impact. After coal consumption is eliminated in rural villages, ambient air quality and the quality of the environment in Beijing will improve, helping to mitigate the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, and ischemic heart disease. The most vulnerable people to such adverse effects in both rural and urban Beijing, such as children, women, the sick and the elderly, will benefit most.
For more information about project financing, please review the project summary.
Per the Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy, the Project is assigned as Category B. As part of Project preparation, the environmental and social impacts were assessed and mitigation measures proposed in an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). Women and children are considered to be the major beneficiaries of coal-to-gas conversion, due to improvements in both outdoor and indoor air quality and the change of cooking fuel to clean energy. In addition, residents from project villages or nearby can be hired for construction activities. The Bank’s environmental and social due diligence, including review of project information and the ESMP, site visits, and meetings with the client and their consultant, indicated that there will not be any land acquisition or displacement of population in the Project areas.
Please review the project summary for additional information.
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