The rapid growth of the Chinese economy is a strategic challenge that most business leaders have acknowledged. Less well-known, however, is China's role as a leading player in developing environmental practices.

Sir Crispin Tickell, a former UK diplomat and adviser on the environment to the UK and China, said: "The Chinese economy is growing rapidly and messily. It has huge problems, particularly over water and pollution. The Chinese are perhaps better than anyone else in confronting this issue and seeing what needs to be done."