Trucks out, trains In

In order to combat pollution, the Ministry of Environmental Protection is discouraging the use of trucks for shipping in northern China, reported Caixin. To incentivise the use of alternatives, the ministry has proposed that China Railway cut freight charges. The plan is now awaiting State Council approval. This measure comes in response to a report that the Jing-Jin-Ji region of northern China (the country’s most polluted area) saw air quality worsen year-on-year in the first half of 2017. The article reports that 24-44% of air pollution comes from motor vehicle emissions and that about 85% of cargo in the region is moved by trucks. Companies have eschewed rail freight options because they have historically been less convenient and more expensive; an MEP study showed that it costs twice as much to deliver goods by rail than truck.