The use of a goal for SO2 mitigation planning and management in China's 11th Five-Year Plan

Using the goal of a 10% reduction of SO2 emissions in China's 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010) as a case study, this paper analyses how environmental goals are used in a large country with multi-level governments and insufficient rule of law. After the central government set up the goal, the mitigation burden was shared among local governments, and mechanisms were designed to enhance their commitment to the goal. This paper found that in the 11th Five-Year Plan, both the central and local governments were much more committed to SO2 mitigation than previously, which could help to explain China's recent significant reduction of SO2 emissions. The case indicates that goals can effectively plan and manage environmental protection and other national government agendas.