Chinese authorities are considering introducing a pollution tax aimed at heavy industry, according to reports.
Speaking to the China Daily Post, deputy minister of environmental protection Pan Yue revealed that the Chinese government is planning to produce a research paper on environmental taxation and is seeking experts to contribute to the report.
No information was given on the scale of the tax and when it might be brought in. However, according to the Post, Yue said that the government was looking into the idea of a trade model for emissions.
If the reports prove correct, the development of a tax on polluters would add to several other punitive financial measure already taken by Chinese authorities, including cutting tax rebates on energy intensive products and targeting emissions from large vehicles.
Last month, UK carbon exchange specialist Climate Exchange confirmed that it signed an agreement with the Chinese authorities to start an emissions trading scheme in the country.
The deal will see the organisation's US subsidiary the Chicago Climate Exchange work with the Chinese National Petroleum Corporation Assets Management Co and the City of Tianjin to develop what could be the country's first carbon trading scheme.
Government backs up climate change strategy with new laws banning inefficient products, mandating use of renewables and increasing monitoring of polluting firms 02 Sep 2008
Third study this year claims Western firms responsible for sizable chunk of Chinese greenhouse gas emissions 13 Aug 2008
New report claims clear regulatory framework and booming investment means China is just a few years away from emerging as the world's premier cleantech hub 01 Aug 2008
The country could be about to join other developing nations in exploring the potential of emissions trading 31 Jul 2008
Environment Ministry officials coy on possible inclusion of carbon trading scheme 28 Sep 2009Partnership positioned as springboard for Asia's fledgling emissions trading markets 19 Jun 2009
Levy on coal production and imports to help pay for new renewable energy fund 03 Mar 2010
State think-tanks suggest government impose carbon tax scheme by 2013 24 Sep 2009
Report from The Climate Group argues China is set to dominate the global market for low-carbon technologies 21 Aug 2009
Desert tortoise fears allayed? 19 Mar 2010
Cameron presents pre-election energy policy, promising greater investment certainty for low-carbon projects, green loans for households, and streamlining of planning system 19 Mar 2010Joint statement from carbon exchange and Hungarian government aims to restore confidence in CER market 19 Mar 2010
More news
From climate change contrarians to the "KitKatastrophe" of Nestle's palm oil policy, we look at the best the green web has to offer this week 19 Mar 2010
"It needs the political enthusiasm that was behind the war on terror after 9/11" 19 Mar 2010
From the government's plans for a marine energy revolution to John Lewis' proposals for an off-grid supermarket 19 Mar 2010 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
