China is one of the most air-polluted countries in the world. Air pollution control is a requirement for China to build ecological civilization and to realize green development. The power sector is one of the main sources for emission reduction. It is important strategically and practically to mitigate the air pollution from the power sector. Traditionally

power system operation has failed to consider the impact of environmental issues

nor is the impact from power system emissions on the atmosphere environment. This paper proposes dispatching and operation of power system towards environmental dispatch(or environmental synergy dispatch). Two connotations of environmental dispatch are proposed: emission control considering environmental synergy and weather-sensitive energy consumption. Previous work on environmental synergy dispatch is reviewed. Practice related to environmental synergy dispatch in China is summarized. A research framework on environmental synergy dispatch is established. Main research prospects of environmental synergy dispatch are discussed.