Wait - emissions trading in 5 cities in China?

The next time someone tells you that China is just going to blow us out of the water by using more coal (they are undoubtedly still increasing coal usage: but look at their key new directions) or that emissions trading is the devil, then suggest they start reading China Daily:

According to an implementation plan for Beijing's pilot carbon emission-trading program covering the period from 2012 to 2015, more than 600 companies with direct and indirect carbon emission exceeding 10,000 tons per year will be included on a mandatory list for capping emissions.

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The National Development and Reform Commission announced early this year it would launch carbon-trading systems next year in five cities - Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chongqing, as well as in Guangdong and Hubei provinces.

Coal may become a less competitive fuel than other options due to emissions trading. Beijing has drawn up a plan to cut its coal consumption to 15 million tons by 2015 and basically end coal use within the Fifth Ring Road.

Natural gas will be a major substitute for coal, Yao said in a joint interview earlier this week with media from China and South Korea. The city's use of natural gas will double to 15 billion cubic meters, or even higher, during the 12th Five-Year Plan, he said.