China's Pollution Solution: Strategies For A Green Future

China's pollution crisis, the result of decades of rapid industrialization, poses a threat to the health and livelihoods of its 1.4 billion citizens and the world's fight against climate change. As the world's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, China has implemented policies to curb emissions and stem environmental degradation, including signing the Paris Agreement and pledging to be carbon neutral by 2060. Despite these efforts, China continues to face challenges in reducing pollution, particularly in addressing air, water, and soil contamination.

To eliminate pollution, China must address the root causes and implement comprehensive solutions. Here are some key strategies that can help China in its fight against pollution:

- Accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources: China has made progress in reducing coal consumption and investing in renewable energy, but more needs to be done to shift away from fossil fuels.

- Improving industrial practices: China should enforce stricter regulations on industrial emissions, promote cleaner production technologies, and provide incentives for industries to reduce pollution.

- Enhancing air quality management: China has already taken steps to restrict the number of cars on the road and introduce electric buses. Continuing these efforts and exploring innovative solutions, such as electric vehicles and clean energy sources, can further improve air quality.

- Protecting water resources: China suffers from water scarcity and pollution, affecting both human health and agricultural productivity. Investing in water treatment infrastructure and promoting water conservation practices can help address this issue.

- Promoting sustainable agricultural practices: Agricultural activities, such as the use of pesticides and fertilizers, contribute to soil and water pollution. Encouraging sustainable farming methods, such as organic farming and precision agriculture, can reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.

- International cooperation: China has been actively engaging in global efforts to combat climate change, and this collaboration should be continued and strengthened. Working together with other nations can help China access new technologies, best practices, and financial support to tackle pollution effectively.

Reduce coal consumption

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal. Coal accounts for 60% of China's primary energy consumption and is the main source of the country's fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollutants and carbon emissions.

To reduce coal consumption, China has implemented a range of policies and initiatives, including:

• The Action Plan on Prevention and Control of Air Pollution, released in 2013, aimed to constrain direct coal consumption to 65% of primary energy by 2017 through alternatives, renewables, and energy efficiency measures.
• The Ultra-low emissions policy for new coal-fired power plants, introduced in 2014, set emission concentration targets for PM, SO2, and NOx.
• The Renewable Electricity Quota and Assessment Method, implemented in 2019, set total and non-hydro quotas for renewable energy sources at the provincial level.
• The Energy Production and Consumption Revolution Strategy, released in 2017, outlined energy decarbonization targets, including increasing the share of non-fossil primary energy to 50% by 2050.
• The Air Pollution Action Plan, released in 2013, prohibited new coal-fired power plants and shut down old plants in the most polluted regions.
• Afforestation and reforestation programs, such as the Great Green Wall, have seen the planting of over 35 billion trees across 12 provinces.

These measures have had some success, with coal consumption flattening out since 2013 while overall energy use and GDP have risen. However, there are still significant barriers to replacing coal use, especially in the industrial sector.

To further reduce coal consumption, China could:

• Enhance market reforms and ensure stable investment in renewable energy sources.
• Build international partnerships on coal phase-out and share strategies and experiences with other countries.
• Implement a dedicated task force or commission to facilitate the transition and represent the interests of affected stakeholders.
• Restrict the construction of new coal-fired power plants and allow for the early retirement of existing coal plants.
• Phase out subsidies to the coal industry to create a level playing field for alternative energy sources.
• Significantly increase investment in solar, wind, and energy storage technologies.

Implement reforestation programmes

China has been implementing reforestation programmes for decades, recognising the importance of forests in maintaining the Earth's health and tackling climate change. Here is an overview of China's reforestation efforts, specifically focusing on its "Implement Reforestation Programmes" strategy:

The Grain for Green Programme (GFGP)

The Grain for Green Programme, launched in 1999, is the world's largest reforestation scheme. This programme incentivises farmers to convert steeply sloped or ecologically fragile farmland into forests or grasslands. Farmers receive subsidies or compensation to stop cultivation and allow for natural forest regeneration. This initiative addresses soil erosion, land degradation, and enhances biodiversity. By 2013, the programme had reestablished 27.8 million hectares of forest across 26 of China's 31 mainland provinces, with a government commitment to continue until at least 2020.

The Great Green Wall

The Great Green Wall is a protective belt of forests aimed at combating desertification and soil erosion, particularly in northern China. This project is part of the larger Three-North Shelterbelt Program, which aims to boost tree coverage and enhance ecological conditions in arid and semi-arid zones.

The Green Belt Development

The Green Belt Development initiative targets cities and urban areas, creating green belts and urban forests. This programme improves air quality, mitigates the urban heat island effect, and provides recreational spaces for residents.

Afforestation and Reforestation Programmes

In addition to the above, China has implemented aggressive afforestation and reforestation programmes. Between 2014 and 2017, China instituted a nationwide ban on felling natural forests, and in 2020, the government revised the Forestry Law for the comprehensive protection of natural forests. China has invested over $100 billion in such programmes, exceeding the forestry expenditure per hectare of the US and Europe.

International Cooperation

China has also demonstrated its commitment to reforestation by cooperating with other nations. At the CoP26 in Glasgow, China and the US jointly recognised that ending illegal deforestation would contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement. Additionally, China announced a fund of 1.5 billion yuan (US$235 million) to support biodiversity conservation in developing nations, including efforts for forests and sustainability.

Results and Impact

China's reforestation efforts have yielded significant results. Between 2001 and 2021, China experienced a 24% increase in forest coverage, adding approximately 425,000 square kilometres of forested areas. This expansion has positively impacted biodiversity and ecological stability while contributing to China's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

In conclusion, China's implementation of reforestation programmes has been extensive and effective, playing a crucial role in the country's environmental restoration and climate change mitigation efforts.

Reduce vehicle emissions

China's cars, buses, trucks, shipping, and other transport generated 828 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2014, accounting for 11% of the world's transport emissions in 2018. If current trends continue, China will have the most road freight activity in the world by 2050, and China and India will experience the most rapid growth in car ownership—six times greater than in 2015.

China has already made some progress in reducing vehicle emissions. In 2020, 1.37 million so-called new energy vehicles—including battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles—were sold in China, an almost 11% increase from the previous year. Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou have restricted the number of cars on the road and started introducing all-electric bus fleets.

To further reduce vehicle emissions, China could implement the following measures:

• Vehicle electrification and clean power: Battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles have the largest decarbonization potential, contributing to 48% of the cumulative GHG emissions reductions. If the power and hydrogen-related sectors become significantly greener, emissions reductions from vehicle electrification could increase to 60%.
• Structural changes: Shifting from private cars to buses and improving vehicle occupancy have the second-largest mitigation potential and can cut cumulative road transport emissions by 23% by 2060. In the short term, from 2020 to 2035, structural changes will have the largest mitigation potential as vehicle electrification is not likely to reach major tipping points during this timeframe, especially among heavy-duty trucks.
• Vehicle fuel-efficiency improvements: This can generate an additional 17% of cumulative emissions reductions from 2020 to 2060.
• Freight decarbonization: Decarbonizing road freight could yield more than double the emissions reductions of passenger transport from 2020 to 2060. However, this requires special attention to policies and technologies, particularly for long-haul, heavy-duty, and refrigerated trucks.

Improve water quality

China's water quality is generally poor, with 70% of its rivers and lakes unsafe for human use as of July 2021. The water is polluted and unsafe to drink, causing a public health crisis and damaging the fishing and marine businesses.

China has set out to improve its water quality, with the World Bank approving a $400 million loan for decontamination and the removal of pollutants in the Yangtze River Basin. This, along with China's own resources of $6 billion, will provide water treatment for 19 provinces and almost 600 million people. The country has also implemented the Yangtze River Protection and Ecological Restoration Program to improve water quality, support agriculture, and manage livestock and waste for townships.

To further improve surface water quality, China plans to raise the ratio of surface water of fairly good quality to 85% by 2025, up from 83.4% in 2020. This will involve better monitoring of rivers and lakes and improved allocation and management of water resources.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns and restricted movement also positively impacted water quality in China. For example, pH levels increased from mid-March to early May 2020.

Additionally, China is addressing water scarcity and pollution, with over half of its water pollution coming from land use and degradation. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in China is using water funds to support upstream land conservation and restoration, with the potential to significantly reduce water treatment costs and build healthier, more resilient communities.

Public participation in water management has also proven beneficial, with a 19% decrease in pollutant levels in quarterly reports attributed to the help of Chinese citizens.

Reduce industrial waste

China is the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases, producing over a quarter of the world's annual emissions. The country's carbon-intensive industries have also caused environmental challenges such as water scarcity and soil contamination.

In 2013, China experienced some of its highest pollution levels, and public criticism reached new heights. In response, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang declared a “war against pollution”, allocating substantial public resources to combat pollution.

Reduce Solid Waste

China aims to reduce the generation of industrial solid waste in the steel, non-ferrous metals, and chemical sectors by 2025. Measures to achieve this include enhancing technological and industrial upgrades, and promoting the standardized utilization of renewable resources such as scrap steel and plastics.

Ban Foreign Waste Imports

In 2018, China banned the import of foreign waste plastics, and in 2019, it banned the import of industrial waste plastics. This was in response to the threat that conventional acceptance of waste from overseas poses to the health of its citizens and the ecological environment.

Promote Circular Economy

China was one of the first countries to discuss a shift to a circular economy back in 2002. This involves cutting packaging waste, promoting reusable alternatives, and encouraging segregation of organic and dry waste streams to create more value from recyclables.

Reforestation and Afforestation

China has introduced aggressive afforestation and reforestation programs, such as the Great Green Wall, planting more than 35 billion trees across 12 provinces. With investments of over $100 billion in such programs, China's forestry expenditure per hectare is higher than that of the US and Europe.

Improve Recycling and Utilization of Old Power Batteries

China has implemented policies to improve the recycling and utilization system of old power batteries, which can help reduce solid waste generation and promote the reuse of materials.

Strengthen Legislation and Supervision

China has made progress in preventing solid waste pollution by strengthening legislation and supervision. For example, the revised Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste took effect on September 1, 2020.

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