China passes law levying environment tax to curb pollution

26 December, Beijing

China has passed a law that levies tax on pollution, but ignores carbon dioxide which is one of the major contributors to global warming, less than a fortnight after a red alert for smog left more than 20 cities in the country’s northeast choking under a heavy haze.

China’s highest legislative body, The National People’s Congress (NPC) standing committee, passed the law yesterday. The law will come into force from 1st of January 2018. Under the new law, polluters will be charged for contributing to air, water and noise pollution.

China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, due to its heavy reliance on coal to provide electricity to its population of 137 crores (1.37 billion).The fuel has also contributed to the country’s severe smog problem.