Beijing app uses carbon credits to help commuters reduce emission

When Beijing residents use buses, subways and bikes to go out, or walk with the aid of navigation apps, they can earn "carbon energy" based on the reduction in carbon emissions from their green travel. That "carbon energy" can be exchanged for coupons for public transportation and shopping. - AP

BEIJING (China Daily/ANN): A Beijing government programme that uses carbon credits to encourage residents to use public transport is proving popular and has reduced carbon emissions by more than 8,000 metric tonnes in less than two months.

The capital's green transportation service platform, built by the Beijing Municipal Transport Commission and navigation companies Amap and Baidu Map, has prompted people to make 2.45 million trips on public transport since Sept 8－travelling a total of 30 million kilometers, the commission said on Tuesday. By doing so, they have prevented 8,057 tonnes of carbon emissions.