Source: CCTV

Carnegie–Tsinghua’s Wang Tao appeared on CCTV English’s Asia Biz to share his insights on the probability of a substantial Chinese shift to green energy. He argued that dependence on cheap coal has resulted in high social and environmental costs for China which are likely to increase without the creation of policy framework for integrating less polluting technologies. The energy structure in China is already changing as the nation moves toward an economy based more on service than on heavy industry.

China’s major cities are at the forefront of efforts to tackle pollution, explained Wang, with some beginning to experiment with carbon trading incentives in order to reduce pollution. Wang also explained how the current pollution problem has made cities like Beijing less attractive places to live. Highly skilled workers, with options to work in less polluted areas, could leave if conditions worsen, he concluded. 

This video interview was originally published on CCTV English’s Asia Biz.