In a recent nationwide evaluation of measures to protect the environment Shanghai received the highest score among 30 provinces, cities and municipalities, Eastday.com has learned.

Following Shanghai is neighboring Jiangsu Province, Beijing, southern Guangdong Province and northeastern Shandong Province. The evaluation was conducted by the State Bureau of Environmental Protection.

The "environment-related behaviors," regional environment condition and environmental protection efforts, were evaluated under five categories:

*economic behavior, such as the average GDP, amount of fresh water and energy owned per capita

*ecological environment, such as forest/green coverage, the rate of soil erosion and disaster

*sewage discharge

*pollution prevention behaviors, such as recycling of waste and prevention of gas and dust pollution.

*environment management behaviors. The rate of area under dust and noise control, for example.

(eastday.com December 6, 2002)