fredag 18. desember 2015

Shanghai Pollution Fee Scheme Doesn't Attack The Causes of Smog: Commentators

Amid heavy smog that prompted the closure of schools, construction sites and warnings to the vulnerable to stay indoors earlier this week, authorities in Shanghai have announced plans to charge polluters of certain compounds a "smog fee." Officials said they will bring in a fee of 10 yuan (U.S. $1.54) per metric ton (1.102 U.S. tons) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to be levied on companies emitting the substances, in a bid to help clean up the city's growing air pollution problem. Authorities shut down schools and construction projects with a yellow alert as the city faced its highest pollution levels in many months on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the air quality index producing hazardous readings. Read more