What a Weird Idea

From the Chinese Xinhua news service (via Green Car Congress):

China will take into account environmental quality in evaluating the performance of regional officials. The measure is an attempt to curb “reckless” pursuit of GDP growth at the cost of the environment.

“Result of the evaluation will become one of the factors to decide the appointment of officials and giving rewards or punishments to them,” says a decision of the State Council on strengthening environmental protection, made public Tuesday.

“Leading officials and other relevant government officials will be punished for making wrong decisions that cause serious environmental accidents and for gravely obstructing environmental law enforcement,” says the decision.