Local govts to be graded on pollution reduction

Chinese local governments will be graded for their achievements in reducing PM 2.5 and PM 10, both being indicators of air pollution, according to plans unveiled on Friday.

Local governments will be graded for two tasks: improving air quality, and preventing air pollution. They will be given percentage grades for both tasks, with 100 as the maximum, according to the plan posted on the website of the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP).

Reductions of average PM 2.5 and PM 10 density will be the major determinant of governments' grades for improving air quality. If both density readings rise compared to the previous year, the responsible governments will be graded zero.

Governments' grades on preventing air pollution will be determined by a string of indicators measuring factors including industrial restructuring and clean production.

The plan was put forward by the MEP, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the National Energy Administration.

China has been under growing pressure to address the causes of air pollution as heavy smog raise concerns.