China expert joins PwC’s UK climate change team

Allan Zhang, a climate change policy and sustainability
specialist in China has been appointed to PwC’s UK sustainability
and climate change team.

Zhang, who previously led the PwC sustainability team in Beijing
joins the UK firm on a two-year secondment. His remit is to support
the firm’s clients to deal with sustainability and climate change
issues in China.

PwC global sustainability and climate change leader Malcolm Preston
said the appointment “comes at a critical point in climate change
and sustainability agenda for China and businesses operating
there.

“The 12th Five Year Plan was a clear
indication that the pace is picking up on environmental and
sustainability issues,” Preston noted.

The Five Year Plan is a key part of China’s central administration.
It determines the overarching strategy for the nation’s economic
and social development and sets out sector spending budgets. The
12^th plan considers the years 2011 to 2015 and
identifies the importance of environmental protection and energy
conservation.

Zhang also brings expertise in China’s regulatory system and
policy-making process to the UK. He spent 13 years at China’s
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and was director
for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.