China to Develop Water Rights Trading Pilot Projects in Seven Regions

摘要

China says it will develop seven regional water rights trading pilot programs, another indication it is exploring market forces to help address environmental issues. The country is expected to launch the pilots over the next two to three years as part of overall efforts to implement stricter water management measures, the Ministry of Water Resources said. The announcement on the ministry's website July 23 notes that the pilot projects could help China eventually adopt a national water rights trading system. Such a system would encourage conservation by allowing those issued water rights to sell unused portions on a market.