The United Nations Environment Programme has released a report which praises Shanghai for its efforts in organizing an environmentally-friendly 2010 World Expo.
As a special assessment on the environmental impact on 2010 World Expo, the report considers Shanghai's efforts in nine areas of the Expo: air quality, transportation, energy, solid waste, water, green coverage and protected areas, climate neutrality, the overall site, and public participation. On air quality for example, it says that Shanghai saw a total 328 good air days in 2008, which was an increase of 68% compared with the number five years ago.
Regarding transportation, the report states that Shanghai will build a world-class rapid transit network of more than 400 kilometers of tracks before the opening of the 2010 World Expo and use many new-energy vehicles. Achim Sterner, the UN under-secretary-general and UNEP executive director called Shanghai's efforts in transportation "a green transport model" and he commented that no other country had made such an outstanding achievement in such a short period. Sterner said that Shanghai's efforts in organizing an environmentally friendly World Expo will not only benefit the 70 million visitors but also leave a green legacy for the citizens of Shanghai and contribute to the worldwide environmental initiative.
2010 Shanghai World Expo will be held from May 1, 2010 to October 31, 2010.
