Chinese banks have been urged to use green credits as a tool to support the nation to cut carbon emissions while achieving a sustainable growth, according to China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC).

Banks should "pay special attentions" to environmental and social impacts possibly caused by their customers' projects and, based on assessment results, determine credit ratings and entry and exit terms, said newly-released CBRC guidelines of green credits.

The assessment covers areas ranging from energy consumption, pollution, land use, health, safety, relocation of residents, to ecological protection and climate change.

Comprehensive evaluations should be conducted every two years, and banks should deliver reports to regulatory bodies, according to the guidelines.

Meanwhile, financial institutions should clarify supported directions and areas for green credit and implement differentiated credit policies.

As of the end of 2011, China's six major banks -- China Development Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Bank of Communications -- had a total of 1.9 trillion yuan (301.75 billion U.S. dollars) in outstanding loans to green-credit-related customers, the CBRC said.

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