China is working to make progress in the fight against pollution and the results are starting to show that there is some improvement. China has made recent efforts to control its coal consumption and development and has implemented a goal to reduce its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 2020.
The Chinese government has implemented carbon-trading markets in seven cities and provinces (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Hubei and Guangdong) as an experiment in using market-based methods to tackle emissions problems. Five of the markets have been operating a cap-and-trade since last year. Beijing is also considering the imposition of a carbon tax, another major market-based carbon control instrument.
Many cement factories and power plants have been closed recently, and Beijing has seen a drive to plant trees and other green efforts.
While there is still much work to be done, China is making strides in addressing environmental issues and making positive changes.