As China's first green tax item, the environmental protection tax has made a positive social impact since its launch on January 1, 2018.

Data shows that Zhongshan has 2,669 registered enterprises paying the environmental protection tax, with a total of 59.5 million yuan in tax breaks. Enterprises are encouraged to increase investment in pollution control and move towards energy conservation, emission reduction, and environment-friendly production.

Guodian Zhongshan Gas Power Generation Co Ltd ("GCL Power Zhongshan" in short), a subsidiary of the listed company GCL Energy Technology Co Ltd that is located in the Shazai Industrial Park, Minzhong Town, is a typical example.

"Powered by clean energy (natural gas), GCL Power Zhongshan generates electricity and provides centralized heating to 71 heat consuming enterprises in the chemical, construction materials and printing and dyeing industries in the Shazai Industrial Park through steam extraction. It has replaced over 40 small boilers in the park, abating pollution effectively and reducing the production costs for these 71 enterprises," said Guo Libin, general manager of GCL Power Zhongshan.

Since the completion of the Zhongshan Gas Turbine Project in March 2019, the company has reduced annual dust emissions by 10,325 tons, nitrogen oxide by 695 tons, SO2 (sulfur dioxide) by 756 tons, and CO2 (carbon dioxide) by 161,600 tons. From the start of 2020 through the first quarter of 2021, GCL Power Zhongshan has enjoyed a total environmental tax breaks of exceeding 300,000 yuan.