Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Monday, February 20, 2012

China’s Green Energy Path

China’s Green Energy Path

A growing number of Chinese scholars have trumpeted China as an emerging green giant for its clean energy production and its promises to aggressively cut carbon emissions. Yet as the “world’s factory,” China is the victim of heavy pollution, and releases more CO2 than any other nation. The time therefore seems ripe for a carbon tax and the strengthening of renewable energy subsidies in China, which would not only mitigate carbon emissions, but would also stimulate technological innovation. Why is a carbon tax a good idea? For a start, some estimates suggest levying a carbon tax could help encourage improvements in industrial energy efficiency of anywhere from 5 percent to 25 percent. And levying a carbon tax can also help save energy by increasing fossil fuel prices. In 2009, Beijing’s municipal government imposed a carbon tax on gasolinefor the first time. Despite car numbers increasing by 40 percent, gasoline consumption increased ... Read More...

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