The government is considering launching an environmental tax this year in order to encourage the efficient use of energy and stem the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) said.

Zhou Shengxian, a SEPA director, said in a statement that the government will raise emissions charges and garbage disposal fees this year.

Power producers above a certain size are required to complete the installation of desulphurization facilities this year, Zhou said.

In June, SEPA and the National Development and Reform Commission also announced that power firms with coal-fired plants must install desulphurization facilities in building new generators or upgrading existing ones. The two agencies said the move will help the country achieve its 10 percent emissions reduction target under the 11th Five Year Program (2006-2010).