Decades of breakneck development in China have taken a terrible toll on the air, water, and soil. The good news is that the government has started a massive anti-pollution campaign, investing at least $477 billion in environmental protection and shutting down thousands of factories. While many are being driven out of business by the campaign, it’s also creating new opportunities for green technology companies and pushing manufacturing companies to upgrade. And although a government-led campaign, further clean-up efforts can be made by private companies as local governments search for clean solutions.
Air Pollution in China: Coughing Up the Cost of Smog
For the first time ever, this December the municipal government of Beijing issued not one, but two pollution red alerts in the city. A red alert, the most severe air pollution warning, means that there are restrictions on car use, some factories have to halt production, construction work is stopped and in some cases, schools have to be closed. Obviously things have reached a tipping point forcing the authorities to institute tough measures to curb pollution. But how much does pollution cost China? Also, when the government tries to ensure blue skies, what does it lose in terms of output lost? We bring you the lowdown.
China’s Pollution Tax: Putting a Price on Pollution
In a bid to improve the environment, the Chinese government is considering imposing a pollution tax. But how exactly should it determine the tax amount?
Is Corporate Social Responsibility China’s Secret Weapon?
Chinese companies are starting to realize that corporate social responsibility is an important part of their transformation into a reputed brand.
China Roundup: Xiaomi’s ‘Smart’ Moves; and NDRC’s attempt to tackle pollution
This week, smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi made new moves in the wearable technology space; Tencent signed a deal to boost its K-pop quotient; and NDRC placed its bets on a new plan to clean China’s smoggy skies.
Renewable Energy in China: Finding Green Profits
Is renewable energy in China a good investment option? We look at which of China’s green investment areas offers the best return.
Electric Cars in China. Unplugged!
The government money is there, the producers are capable, so what is stopping electric cars in China from taking off?
Air Pollution in China: What’s at Stake?
How serious is air pollution in China and how is the country addressing it at a policy level? Also, what kind of business opportunities is this creating? A comprehensive look. If you live in China, chances are the one thing you’d be most concerned about is the level of PM2.5 in the air. PM2.5, or particulate matter […]
Restrictions on New Car Purchases: An Economist’s Road Trip
Various cities across China are restricting new car purchases in an effort to curb pollution and traffic using either auctions or lotteries. Which of these two methods works better? In efforts to contain rapidly-escalating congestion and pollution, city governments across China are experimenting with numerous methods to pull cars off the road. Some of these […]
China Roundup: Alibaba’s Soccer and Telecom Forays; and Metal Financing Crackdowns
The week that was: Alibaba’s soccer team stake and telecom plans; China wakes up to the risks in metal financing; China’s investments in food and agriculture businesses rise and KKR invests in Cofco’s meat production business. Metal Financing: the New ‘Shadow Banking’? While Beijing keeps a close eye on China’s shadow banking system, a new form […]
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