Beijing Emitters Ignore Carbon Scheme, Question Government Authority

More than a quarter of all companies covered by Beijing's municipal carbon laws ignored a key reporting deadline, local media reported Friday, with some powerful companies questioning the local government trading body's authority to regulate them.

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) routinely ignore environmental regulations issued by local governments, one of the main reasons why China is struggling to cut soaring pollution levels despite issuing a raft of environmental policies in the last couple of years.

A new law mandates all companies to follow environmental regulations regardless of the authority level, but that does not enter into force until next year, and it remains to be seen how successful it will be.

Beijing Emitters Ignore Carbon Scheme, Question Government Authority