​Beijing car owners awarded for driving less

Masses of cars travel on the road in heavy smog in Beijing, China, 4 November 2016. [Photo: dfic]

Beijing's environmental protection authorities have launched a new campaign, "Driving one day less for the week."

The program will encourage people to drive less by awarding drivers with Wechat 'red packets' (a digital payment service provided by messaging app Wechat) and e-coupons.

The bonuses will be doubled during heavy pollution days. 

According to local authorities, car owners could get a bonus from 0.2 yuan to 0.7 yuan and one 'carbon coin' used to convert coupons, for reducing their driving by 24 hours every week. The premiums for drivers will be based on how many driving hours they cut.

The campaign has been launched to mark National Low-carbon Day, which falls on June 13th. This is part of the week-long national campaign to promote the idea of energy conservation and low-carbon development. 

How could vehicle owners participate into the activity?

Vehicle owners can sign up using Wechat's mini program (light apps built within WeChat) called "Beijing motor vehicle voluntary emission reduction trading platform." Car owners then take pictures and upload their travel distances before and after they stop driving. 

Local authorities note the carbon emission bonuses can be put up for sale on the city's emissions trading market, and are available for companies to purchase to offset their own carbon emissions. 

Background:

China on Sunday launched a week-long campaign to raise awareness of energy efficiency and promote green lifestyles.

The campaign, known as the National Energy Efficiency Promotion Week, is designed to promote the creation of an ecological society, resource conservation and recycling, and green and low-carbon development, the government said in a statement.

The campaign will feature events across the country to promote energy-saving technologies and products, green commuting and low-carbon industrial development.

China introduced National Low-carbon Day in 2013 to boost awareness of climate change and low-carbon development policies, encourage public participation and facilitate the country's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

National Low-carbon Day falls on the third day of National Energy Efficiency Promotion Week in June of every year.

The Chinese government has made green development one of its major policy priorities. 

Authorities intend to cap energy consumption at 5 billion tonnes of coal equivalent by 2020, according to a government plan for 2016 to 2020. This would amount to a 15-percent reduction in energy use per unit of GDP by 2020.