In an effort to promote a low carbon emission lifestyle, Guangdong Province in South China is planning to launch a new system that awards individuals for environmentally friendly behavior.
The provincial capital of Guangzhou, along with five other cities in the province, has already applied for the scheme. The participating areas are required to submit their respective plans by Friday, according to an official from the provincial development and reform commission.
More details about the scheme, which is said to be the first of its kind in China, were given in a directive issued by the commission this month.
For example, residents from pilot cities can earn reward points through dumping less trash, purchasing energy-efficient appliances, taking public transport, and even using less water. Once an individual has accumulated enough points, he or she can exchange them for discount coupons.
To get their points exchanged for coupons, residents must log on to a smartphone app or website that has access to consumer data collated by public utility providers.
According to Nie Bing, the head of an app development team of a Guangzhou-based company operating under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, such a system that rewards green living can help motivate citizens to live a greener lifestyle.
The incentive-based system aims to address the increasing carbon emissions in the region, thanks to rapid urbanization as well as improved standards of living. Local government officials are hopeful that the scheme will pay off, the way a 2013 provincial carbon exchange helped decrease emissions from large local manufacturing companies.
A guide about the program has also been released together with the directive. The guide suggests that governments of participating cities should encourage local businesses to offer good and generous discounts to "green points" owners. This way, citizens will be encouraged to embrace a low-carbon lifestyle.
According to the directive, the pilot program must be in effect in all cities within Guangdong Province by 2018.