Environmental taxes don't tackle real problem in China

• Source: Global Times
• [22:35 February 21 2010]
• Comments

So, for China's environmental issues, the key is supervision, not paying more taxes.

First, we need to supervise the effects of public expenditures.

During the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in 2006, Beijing limited the number of government cars to 490,000.

This had a positive result. During rush hours, traffic speeds on some roads increased from 20-30 kilometers per hour to 60-70 kilometers per hour. This improved traffic flow and reduced exhaust emissions simultaneously.

Instead of imposing environmental taxes, paying attention to external effects tackled the problem, reducing pollution while lessening the burden of taxpayers. This is a win-win result.

On the other hand, environmental audits are required for future State investment. Large-scale projects should consider the environmental impact from the very beginning. .

That is the real situation in China. Developed countries need to change their lifestyle to reduce high-carbon pollution. What China needs to do is enhance the efficiency of public expenditures to avoid waste.

China produces the largest amount of emissions, but the per capita emissions are still less than other developed countries.

China doesn't need environmental taxes to change the structures of their activities.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. pengkuang@globaltimes.com.cn