SHANGHAI: Two environment and energy exchanges were launched yesterday in Shanghai and Beijing, as the country increases efforts in emission cutting and energy conservation.

The Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange will collect, filter and publicize information for the environment and energy-related equity and emission credit trading, and provide a platform for such deals between companies or institutions, according to a statement from Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange (SUAEE), the sole owner of the environment and energy exchange.

"The establishment of the environment and energy exchange can help transfer the past government-administrated energy allocation into the market," said Luo Xinyu, general manager of SUAEE.