Ökonomische Aspekte ordnungsrechtlicher und steuerpolitischer Maßnahmen zur SO2-Emissionsreduktion in ChinaAndreas Oberheitmann

ASIEN – Nr. 78 (2001) pp. 5–24

Especially the reduction of SO2‐emissions are on the political of Chinese environmental policy as these pollutant currently has the greatest impact on additional social costs in China. To internalise these external effects there are a set of options available, inter alia command and control measures and a SO2‐tax. Focus of this article is the assessment of least‐cost investment requirements in China to reduce SO2‐emissions under the before mentioned options. Depending on the option, there are financial requirements between 120 and 180 billion US$ between 1996 and 2020. The analysis of available studies indicates that at least the introduction of emission standards is able to internalise the external effects if the additional investments can be passed through to the final consumer and the external costs are calculated properly. However, against the background of the current policy of subsidising coal‐transport and end‐user prices of coal and electricity as well as possible negative impacts on Chinas international competitiveness a rise in end‐energy prices is unlikely. Thus, the Chinese government have to weight short‐time and long‐time costs and returns.