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New Mechanism to Deal with Pollution
Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi province, is to adopt a new mechanism that will make it possible for factories to gain economic benefits if they discharge less pollutants.
According to the mechanism, if an industrial plant emits less sulfur dioxide than a prescribed amount, the difference can be traded in the market and the factory will get some economic benefits.
On the contrary, a plant which discharges more pollutants than the prescribed amount will have to pay for the difference with a large fine and related trade fees.
The mechanism, based on a foundation of 700,000 U.S. dollars from the Asian Development Bank, is to encourage companies and factories to cut sulfur dioxide emissions through economic means. After trial operations in Taiyuan, it is likely to be introduced to other cities in the country.
Taiyuan, where coal is the main source of energy for heating and electricity production, has been listed as one of the most polluted cities in China due to its lack of technology and facilities to control emissions of coal-related pollutants.
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