Whether the trend will catch on in Taiwan or spread to other countries sounds a bit iffy. Interesting idea though.
The call came ahead of Monday's Tomb Sweeping Festival, when ethnic Chinese traditionally visit the graves of their ancestors to burn incense and paper offerings.
The practice not only worsens the island's air pollution but could also cause fires, warned the cabinet-level Environmental Protection Administration.
"We can now choose to pay homage to our ancestors in a modern and environmentally friendly way by worshipping online or donating the money meant for the offerings to charities," it said in a statement.
Taiwan has vowed to cut its greenhouse gases to 2008 levels by 2020.
Studies have found that burning paper money releases a large amount of carbon dioxide, one of the main gases held responsible for global climate change.
