China to Impose Environment Tax during 12th Five-Year Plan

Xie Zhenhua, a deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, indicated at a press conference on Nov. 23 that related authorities are actively studying the possibility of imposing a environmental protection tax during the 12th Five-Year Plan.

Xie also revealed that the related department is still studying carbon tax policy. But China will use market mechanisms and economic instruments to achieve the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions intensity during the 12th Five-Year Plan, Xie said. Currently, China has explored carbon trading pilots in major cities, including Tianjin, Beijing and Shanghai.