China's Air Pollution: Global Impact And Responsibility

Air pollution is a pressing global issue, causing an estimated seven million deaths worldwide annually. China, the world's most populous country, has been facing an air pollution crisis, with the air quality in Beijing being classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups for ten months in 2019. The country's rapid economic growth, industrialisation, and urbanisation have led to a significant increase in emissions from power plants, vehicles, and manufacturing. While China has the fastest air quality improvement rate globally, it continues to battle air pollution, especially in densely populated cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Vehicle emissions

China has been the largest vehicle market in the world since 2009. The rapid development of the vehicle industry has led to vehicle emissions becoming a significant source of air pollution in Chinese cities. Vehicle emissions were to blame for about 45% of Beijing's air pollution in 2018 and nearly 30% of Shanghai's. In 2019, emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide from motor vehicles in China were 6.356 million tons and 7.716 million tons, respectively, which accounted for 20% and 24% of total emissions. In 2020, CO2 emissions from China's transportation sector were 930 million tons, approximately 2.3 times higher than in 2005.

To address the challenges of reducing air pollutants and CO2 emissions in the transportation sector, the Chinese government has launched various strategies and plans to alleviate on-road vehicular pollution. For example, a fuel tax was imposed in 2009, and pilot subsidies for new energy vehicles (NEVs) were adopted in some regions in 2010. In 2013, the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) promoted substitute fuel vehicles in the bus fleet and made efforts to limit the number of vehicles.

Hainan, the first Chinese province to ban the sale of fuel-powered cars by 2030, aims to accelerate the reduction of local air pollution emissions. The province's implementation of vehicle emission control policies (VECPs) is expected to reduce air pollutants and GHG emissions significantly. However, research on the effectiveness of these controls in carbon reduction is limited.

While China faces significant air pollution challenges, it is important to note that other countries, such as India and Bangladesh, also face similar issues. These countries suffer from extremely high levels of air pollution, resulting in substantial economic costs and contributing to a significant number of air pollution-related deaths worldwide.

Population growth

The immense population growth in China since the 1980s has also resulted in increased soil pollution. The State Environmental Protection Administration considers this a threat to the environment, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. Contaminated water is used to irrigate cultivated land, and solid waste has covered or destroyed additional land, impacting one-tenth of China's cultivable land.

However, some studies suggest that an increase in population density can lead to improved air quality in China. This is due to the increased demand for clean energy and public transportation, which can reduce overall emissions. The relationship between population density and air pollution is complex, and other factors, such as economic growth, industrialization, and energy consumption, also play significant roles.

China has taken steps to address air pollution, including retiring older, less efficient coal plants and investing in renewable energy sources. However, the country still faces challenges in balancing economic growth with environmental and social welfare. China's leaders have made commitments to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions, but it remains to be seen if these goals will be achieved.

Industrial pollution

The burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, is a major contributor to air pollution in China. Coal-generated pollution is the primary source of ambient PM2.5 pollution, which has caused premature deaths. In 2013, coal-burning was linked to 366,000 premature deaths in China. More recently, in 2019, 1.42 million premature deaths were attributed to unhealthy levels of PM2.5, with an additional 363,000 deaths from household air pollution caused by burning solid fuels. China's ozone concentration has also been rising, with many cities exceeding the national secondary ozone standard. Ozone precursors, such as nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds, are emitted primarily by coal power plants and industries like steel, glass, and petrochemical processing.

China has taken steps to address industrial pollution, particularly regarding coal-burning. The government is replacing older, less efficient coal plants with ultra-supercritical facilities designed to produce more energy with less coal. However, China still consumes significantly more coal than other countries, and investments in clean energy fell by 8% in 2019 compared to the previous year.

Industrial firms in China also discharge inorganic compounds and toxic gases into the water during production, resulting in serious water contamination. Over 3 million Chinese families lack access to clean water, and one-third of the water system is below the safety standard. The Chinese government has implemented measures to improve water quality, with significant reductions in pollutant emission intensities in some counties and cities since 2007. However, industrial pollution mitigation in the eastern and central regions has been neglected since 2021, prioritizing economic growth over environmental concerns.

The agglomeration of firms in certain areas exacerbates pollution emission intensity and poses unintended consequences for public health. Spatial autocorrelations in pollution intensity across China show significant clustering and regional variations. The rapid industrialization in eastern China has resulted in more severe pollution stress, with higher industrial-added value regions accompanied by a higher pollution index.

Coal-burning

China's rapid industrialization has led to severe air pollution, which has resulted in serious social, economic, and political issues. While air pollution is caused by various factors, coal-burning is a significant contributor.

China's growth has been heavily reliant on coal, a cheap but highly polluting source of energy. In 1990, coal accounted for 76.2% of China's energy consumption, and despite a steady decline over the years, it still made up 57.7% in 2019. Large coal-powered industries have been key drivers of China's economic development but have also contributed significantly to the country's air pollution crisis.

Electricity generation has historically been the main source of China's air pollution. However, the integration of smart technology has emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against pollution, with the country encouraging the development of gas-fired power plants or combined power and heat (CHP) plants to replace coal power plants. This shift is reflected in China's five-year plans, which include targets for reducing climate change and air pollution. For example, the 10th five-year plan (2001-2005) saw a doubling of coal use, but by 2014, a "war on pollution" was declared, leading to efforts to move away from coal and towards larger, more efficient power plants located away from urban areas.

Despite these efforts, coal still plays a significant role in China's energy mix. The latest five-year plan emphasizes retrofitting existing coal plants to accommodate more renewable generation, with a target of 200 gigawatts of coal units being retrofitted by the end of 2025. This plan reflects the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental and social welfare, as coal remains a crucial source of energy for China's industries.

The impact of coal-burning on air quality is not limited to China. Beijing's air pollution, for example, is often exacerbated by the surrounding concentration of coal-burning industries. Pollutants from these factories are carried by winds into Beijing and trapped by mountains, affecting the city's air quality and the health of its residents.

Impact on public health

Air pollution is a significant public health issue in China, causing an estimated 1.85 million deaths in 2019. A study by the Health Effects Institute found that unhealthy levels of PM2.5 led to approximately 1.42 million premature deaths in China in the same year. Household air pollution from burning solid fuels resulted in an additional 363,000 deaths. The Chinese Ministry of Health has declared that industrial pollution has made cancer the leading cause of death in the country.

The impact of air pollution on public health in China is influenced by various factors, including the level of economic development, population growth, and the implementation of environmental regulations. For example, the rapid economic and social development in China has resulted in severe air pollution, with consequent adverse impacts on society. The immense population growth in China since the 1980s has also contributed to increased soil pollution and contaminated water, affecting food safety and sustainable agriculture.

The health effects of air pollution in China vary between regions, with the population health in central and western areas being more sensitive to air quality. This is possibly due to the relative lack of medical resources in these regions. Higher education, income, life satisfaction, and long-term marriage are significantly associated with better health status among Chinese citizens. Additionally, regional healthcare resources positively impact the health of residents.

China's air pollution has also impacted other countries. For example, traces of smog from mainland China have reached California. China's emissions contribute significantly to global air pollution, with the country ranking as the 11th dirtiest in the world in 2019. The enormous economic boom, population growth, and increase in manufacturing outputs have all contributed to China's air pollution, which poses a significant threat to public health worldwide.

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