Air Pollution In Beijing: A Dangerous Reality

Beijing has long been notorious for its poor air quality, earning the moniker Airpocalypse and ranking among the most air-polluted cities on Earth. The city's air pollution stems from a combination of factors, including industrial emissions from heavy industries, coal combustion, construction, household fuel burning, and traffic fumes from its congested roads. Beijing's topography, with surrounding mountains trapping pollution, and seasonal weather patterns also play a role. The economic boom, population growth, and surge in motor vehicles have further exacerbated the problem. While Beijing has made significant strides in addressing air pollution, such as curbing vehicle emissions and promoting electric mobility, it still faces challenges, with PM2.5 levels remaining above the World Health Organization's guidelines.

Industrial emissions from heavy industries

Beijing's air pollution, once dubbed the "'Airpocalypse'", has been a persistent issue for the city's over 20 million inhabitants. While various factors contribute to this problem, industrial emissions from heavy industries are a significant culprit.

The heavily industrialised province of Hebei, which surrounds Beijing, is home to major sectors like coal power, steel, cement, and glass manufacturing. These industries release large amounts of pollutants, including nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter, into the atmosphere. The combination of these emissions and traffic fumes from crowded roads creates air pollution episodes that have become a regular part of daily life in Beijing.

The manufacturing of iron and steel, cement plants, coal combustion, and petroleum refinement have been identified as the primary sources of particulate matter, leading to the dense wintertime smog in Beijing. The agglomeration of firms in these sectors further intensifies pollution emission levels, impacting public health. The health risks are evident, with research showing that reducing PM10 concentration in the air by 10% can lower mortality rates by 8%.

To address this issue, the Chinese government has implemented several measures. Since the preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games, there has been a push to relocate heavy industries from Beijing to surrounding areas, particularly Hebei. This move aimed to decrease production capacity and encourage the adoption of cleaner technologies and processes. Additionally, the government has introduced stringent laws to curb industrial pollutant emissions, but challenges remain in effectively enforcing these regulations.

Despite some improvements, heavy industrial emissions continue to be a significant contributor to air pollution in the region. The complex interplay of economic growth, energy consumption, and environmental degradation influences the persistence of this problem.

Traffic fumes from crowded roads

Beijing's air pollution crisis is intimately linked to the growth of heavy industry, lax environmental regulation, and China's energy-intensive economic growth model. While industrial emissions from coal power, steel, cement, and glass manufacturing in the province of Hebei are key culprits, traffic fumes from crowded roads also significantly contribute to the city's poor air quality.

The number of cars on Beijing's roads has soared in recent decades, with the city's population and car ownership continuing to rise. As a result, the city's roads have become increasingly congested, with residents experiencing some of the longest commute times in the country. The average commute time in Beijing is 45 and a half minutes, with some residents spending over an hour travelling to and from work each day. This has led to economic losses for the city, as well as a decline in productivity and an increase in monetary loss.

The Beijing Municipal Committee has attributed this congestion to the increasing number of vehicles and the slower pace of road development. The government has responded by expanding the subway network and introducing bike-sharing schemes to encourage residents to use public transportation. However, these efforts have been challenging due to the limited space available for additional road construction, particularly within the Fifth Ring Road.

To address the issue of vehicle emissions, Beijing has implemented measures such as scrapping old, polluting cars, increasing the frequency of inspections for vehicles still on the road, and tightening standards on emissions from diesel trucks. These measures, along with the push for electric mobility, have helped improve air quality for Beijing's citizens.

Despite these efforts, traffic congestion and the associated air pollution remain significant issues in Beijing. The balance between managing congestion and reducing the number of vehicles on the road continues to be a delicate challenge for the city.

Population growth and vehicle ownership

Beijing's population has been growing since the 1990s, when it numbered almost 13.6 million. This growth, coupled with economic development, has led to a rise in the number of cars on the road. In the 1990s, the number of cars in Beijing soared to one million, causing the city's infamous smog. By 2017, car ownership in Beijing had reached 209 per 1,000 people, with a total of 4.8 million registered vehicles. This rapid increase in vehicle ownership has contributed significantly to the city's air pollution problem.

The growth in vehicle ownership is closely linked to the increase in personal income, as people with higher incomes are more likely to purchase cars. This trend has been observed not only in Beijing but also in other Chinese cities. However, it is important to note that while car ownership continues to rise, actual car use in Beijing has been declining since around 2011. This decrease in car use can be attributed to various factors, including the development of alternative transportation options such as urban rail and bike-sharing schemes.

To address the issue of air pollution, the Beijing government has implemented several measures to reduce vehicle emissions and promote electric mobility. These measures include restricting vehicle ownership, increasing inspections for older cars, and tightening emission standards for diesel trucks. The government has also focused on controlling truck traffic by directing lorries to use beltways that bypass heavily populated areas.

Despite the challenges posed by population growth and vehicle ownership, Beijing has made notable progress in improving air quality for its citizens. The implementation of various initiatives and the promotion of alternative transportation options have contributed to a downward trend in pollution gases such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter.

In summary, population growth and vehicle ownership have been significant factors contributing to air pollution in Beijing. However, the city has actively addressed these issues by implementing policies to reduce vehicle emissions and encourage the use of public transportation, electric mobility, and active transportation options such as bicycles. These efforts have resulted in improvements in air quality, benefiting the health and well-being of Beijing's residents.

Coal combustion and outdated factory technology

Beijing's air pollution is a result of a mix of political, technological, and economic factors. The city's economic growth in the past few decades has been the fastest among major nations, and this is the main factor contributing to extensive air pollution. Of the twenty cities with the worst air pollution worldwide, 16 are located in China, including Beijing.

Coal combustion is a significant contributor to air pollution in Beijing. Residential coal combustion (RCC) emissions release hazardous air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), BC, OC, SO2, nitrogen oxide (NOx), CO, CO2, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These emissions contribute to the formation of haze and smog in Beijing, affecting both local and regional air quality. The burning of coal in households and factories has been identified as a major source of indoor and outdoor air pollution, with the contaminants in coal, such as sulfur, arsenic, silica, fluorine, lead, and mercury, being released into the atmosphere during combustion.

In addition to coal combustion, outdated factory technology also plays a role in Beijing's air pollution. The economic growth in China has led to a surge in manufacturing output and a corresponding increase in pollution levels. Many factories in China, including those in Beijing, rely on outdated and inefficient technologies, which contribute to the emission of pollutants.

To address the issue of coal combustion, the Beijing Municipal Government has implemented a range of measures, including converting coal furnaces in homes to natural gas and relocating factories to other provinces. These efforts, along with temporary measures during the 2008 Olympic Games, such as shutting down factories and imposing driving restrictions, have helped improve Beijing's air quality.

However, the transport sector remains a significant contributor to air pollution in Beijing. The number of motor vehicles on the roads has doubled, with emissions contributing to nearly 70% of the city's air pollution. To mitigate this, Beijing has introduced measures to curb vehicle emissions, promote electric mobility, and encourage the use of bicycles and the city's subway system.

Topography and seasonal weather

Beijing Municipality covers an area of 16,410.54 square kilometres. It is located at the northern tip of the North China Plain, which descends towards the Bohai Sea in the southeast. The city is surrounded by mountains to its west, north, and northeast, with the Jundu Mountains to the northwest and the Western Hills, or Xishan, to the west. Mountainous areas occupy about 62% of the municipality's total area. The city's highest point is Mount Dongling, in the Western Hills, with an altitude of 2,303 metres. Five major waterways flow through the municipality from west to east: the Juma, Yongding, Beiyun, Chaobai, and Jiyun rivers.

Beijing has a temperate, continental monsoonal climate, with four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are short, while summers are hot and rainy, and winters are cold and dry. The frost-free period of the year is about 180-200 days, with the city receiving 2,000 to 2,800 hours of sunshine annually. The average annual temperature is 11 to 14 degrees Celsius, with January being the coldest month at an average of -4 degrees Celsius. Summers last about 120 days, from May to September, with the average temperatures of June, July, and August always above 30 degrees Celsius. July is typically the hottest month, with an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius and heavy rainfall. In fact, 80% of the city's annual precipitation occurs in June, July, and August, with July and August seeing the heaviest rainfall.

Spring in Beijing is windy and dry, with temperatures rising quickly from day to day and varying significantly between day and night. The average spring temperature ranges from 3 to 13 degrees Celsius. Sandstorms can frequently occur in early spring, and there is more pollen in the air, causing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to occasionally exceed 100.

Autumn in Beijing is considered the most beautiful and pleasant season, especially from mid-September to mid-November, when there is plenty of sunshine and cooler temperatures. The average autumn temperature ranges from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Days become shorter and cooler, and rainfall increases, with early frost often appearing.

Frequently asked questions