China's Pollution Crisis: Strategies For A Greener Future

China's rapid economic growth has resulted in some of the most polluted skies and waterways in the world. Air pollution in the country is falling, but there is still a long way to go to protect the health of its citizens. China's carbon emissions threaten global efforts to fight climate change, and its broader environmental degradation endangers economic growth, public health, and government legitimacy. However, China has been taking steps to reduce pollution and has made significant progress in recent years.

Reduce coal use

China's coal use is a significant contributor to its high levels of pollution. Here are some ways that China can reduce coal use to lower pollution levels:

Reduce the Number of Coal-Fired Power Plants

China has taken steps to reduce the number of coal-fired power plants by prohibiting the construction of new plants and shutting down old ones in highly polluted regions, including the city clusters of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Pearl and Yangtze Deltas. This has helped to improve air quality in these areas.

Increase the Use of Renewable Energy Sources

China has invested in renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, electric vehicles, and batteries, which have attracted significant investment. The country has also boosted its nuclear power capacity and incentivized electric vehicle use. These efforts have contributed to a reduction in pollution levels.

Improve Energy Efficiency

China has implemented measures to improve energy efficiency, such as adopting ultra-super critical units in power plants that consume coal at a lower rate. The country has also mandated that new power plant projects meet specific efficiency standards, with average coal consumption targets for power plants to reduce their environmental impact.

Reforestation and Afforestation Programs

China has introduced aggressive reforestation and afforestation programs, such as the Great Green Wall, which has seen the planting of more than 35 billion trees across 12 provinces. These programs not only help absorb carbon dioxide but also provide other environmental benefits, such as improved water quality and reduced soil erosion.

Implement Pollution Control Measures

China has implemented stricter pollution control measures, such as the Air Pollution Action Plan released in 2013, which helped significantly improve air quality in major cities. The plan focused on reducing particulate matter (PM2.5) levels and directed local governments to implement tougher controls on pollution and coal use.

By implementing these strategies, China can continue to make progress in reducing coal use and lowering pollution levels, contributing to improved public health and environmental sustainability.

Invest in renewable energy

China has made significant strides in reducing pollution levels and associated health risks through various measures, including the implementation of national air pollution action plans. One crucial aspect of their efforts is the investment in renewable energy sources, which has yielded remarkable results.

China has pledged to reduce coal use and invest in renewable energy sources, and this transition is vital to their pollution reduction goals. In 2023, renewable energy sources contributed significantly to China's economic growth, with clean energy sectors accounting for a large portion of the expansion of GDP. This shift towards clean energy technologies is not only beneficial for the environment but also makes good economic sense, as it has become a key part of China's broader economic and industrial policy.

China has made substantial investments in solar power, electric vehicles (EVs), and batteries, which are often referred to as the "new three" industries. In 2023, China's investment in clean energy sectors reached almost $890 billion, a 40% increase from the previous year. This investment has not only boosted China's domestic economy but also positioned the country as a global leader in clean energy technologies.

China's commitment to renewable energy is evident in their ambitious targets. They aim to have renewable energy sources account for 25% of their total energy consumption by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. To meet these goals, China has been investing heavily in solar power, wind power, and battery storage technologies. For example, in 2023, China installed a significant amount of solar capacity, doubling the additional solar installations from the previous year.

In addition to solar power, China has also been developing utility-scale clean energy bases in its western desert regions, combining solar arrays and wind farms. These projects take advantage of the high solar radiation in the desert and the availability of cheap land. China plans to build more than 200 such bases to help raise its renewable energy capacity.

While China still relies heavily on coal, with nearly all new global coal-fired capacity, their investments in renewable energy sources are making a significant impact. China's leadership in this sector has driven down prices worldwide, making renewable technologies more accessible to other countries, including those with limited financial resources.

To fully realize the potential of renewable energy and meet their long-term goals, China must continue to prioritize investments in this sector and address the challenges posed by their continued investment in fossil fuels, especially coal.

Implement reforestation programs

China has implemented aggressive reforestation programs to combat pollution, such as the Great Green Wall, and has planted more than 35 billion trees across 12 provinces. With investments of over $100 billion in such programs, China's per-hectare forestry expenditure is higher than that of the US and Europe, and is three times the global average.

One of the largest reforestation projects in the world, the "Grain for Green" program, was launched in 1999 and has funded the reforestation of 31.8 million hectares, an area larger than New Mexico. The program has helped China achieve two of its primary goals: soil retention and flood mitigation. It has also helped many of the 32 million farming households enrolled climb out of poverty.

However, scientists have discovered that large swaths of newly planted forests provide few habitats for China's threatened animal and plant species. These "'green deserts' contain monocultures of trees that fall short of the biodiversity of native forests. To address this, the Chinese government has introduced policies to decrease construction near forests, rivers, and national parks, requiring local governments to regulate "irrational development" that would undermine the natural landscape.

In 2018, the Chinese government announced plans to plant trees across at least 6.6 million hectares of land, with a focus on the Hebei, Qinghai, and Hunshandake Desert regions. This initiative aims to increase forest coverage to 23% by 2020 and 26% by 2035, with the ultimate goal of becoming the world leader in conservation.

Research in eastern China has found that forests with a diverse mix of trees can absorb more than twice as much carbon as areas with a single species. The study, conducted in Jiangxi province, showed that an average of 32 tonnes of carbon was absorbed per hectare in species-rich forests, compared to 12 tonnes per hectare in single-species forests.

Reduce the number of cars on the road

China has the highest number of cars on the road worldwide, with 240 million vehicles as of 2018, up from 27 million in 2004. This rapid increase in car ownership has contributed to the country's notoriously poor air quality. As such, reducing the number of cars on the road is a key strategy in China's battle against air pollution.

Vehicle Quota Systems

One way to reduce the number of cars on the road is through the implementation of vehicle quota systems (VQS). A VQS caps the number of new vehicle registrations to control the growth in vehicle ownership at a sustainable rate through auctions or lotteries. Shanghai, Beijing, Guiyang, and Guangzhou have adopted VQS to curb the rapid growth of private vehicle ownership. For example, Shanghai's vehicle quota auction system has successfully halved vehicle ownership compared to Beijing and generated significant revenue for public transportation.

Car Travel Restrictions

Another strategy to reduce car usage is through car travel restrictions, which limit car use within designated geographic zones or on certain days of the week based on license plate numbers. This approach has been effective in managing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution from vehicles. Several Chinese cities, including Beijing, Nanchang, Changchun, Lanzhou, and Hangzhou, have implemented such restrictions with positive outcomes.

Alternative Transport Options

Encouraging the use of alternative transport options can also help reduce the number of cars on the road. This includes promoting public transportation, such as buses and subways, as well as active transport like walking and cycling. Investing in the development of efficient and affordable public transportation networks can make these options more attractive to commuters, reducing their reliance on private vehicles.

Electric Vehicles

Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) is another strategy to reduce pollution from cars. China has been promoting the use of new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. In 2020, 1.37 million NEVs were sold in China, an 11% increase from the previous year. While most electricity for these vehicles is still produced by fossil fuels, the country is working towards a greener energy mix.

Structural Changes

Structural changes, such as improving vehicle occupancy and shifting from private cars to low-emitting modes of transport like buses and freight railways, can also help reduce the number of cars on the road. These changes can be encouraged through policies and incentives that make public transportation more attractive and accessible to commuters.

Reduce industrial emissions

China's industrial emissions are a significant contributor to the country's high pollution levels. Here are some measures that can be taken to reduce industrial emissions in China:

Reduce Coal Consumption

China's industrial emissions are largely attributed to coal burning, with coal-fired power plants being a major source of carbon dioxide emissions. To reduce industrial emissions, China should focus on decreasing its reliance on coal as an energy source. This can be achieved by:

• Investing in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower: China has already made progress in this area, with renewable energy accounting for nearly 15% of its energy mix in 2019, a significant increase from 7% a decade earlier.
• Implementing a national emissions trading scheme: This would create a market for emission quotas, incentivizing companies to reduce their emissions and allowing polluters to offset their emissions by purchasing quotas from those who have reduced theirs.
• Enforcing stricter policies and regulations: China has previously banned the construction of new coal-fired power plants, which led to a decline in coal use. However, when the ban expired, construction ramped up again. Enforcing stricter and more long-term policies can help reduce coal consumption.

Improve Energy Efficiency in Industries

China's industries, such as manufacturing and heavy industries, are energy-intensive and contribute significantly to the country's emissions. To reduce industrial emissions, China can:

• Promote energy efficiency improvements: This can be done by providing incentives, such as subsidies or tax breaks, for industries that adopt more energy-efficient technologies and practices.
• Invest in green infrastructure and technology: China has already outlined plans to speed up green infrastructure upgrading and develop green and low-carbon technologies.
• Focus on reducing emissions in key sectors: Sectors such as cement, steel, and non-ferrous metals have been identified as critical for carbon emission reduction. By targeting these sectors, China can make a significant impact on its overall industrial emissions.

Promote Electric Vehicles

The increase in cars on the road has contributed to China's emissions, with transportation accounting for a notable proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce emissions from this sector, China can:

• Encourage the use of electric vehicles: China is already a leader in electric vehicle production, and by incentivizing their use, it can reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
• Develop supporting infrastructure: This includes investing in charging stations and electric vehicle manufacturing, making electric vehicles more accessible and convenient for consumers.

International Cooperation

China's role as the largest financier of fossil fuel infrastructure through its Belt and Road Initiative has contributed to global emissions. To reduce industrial emissions on a global scale, China can:

• Implement environmental standards for the Belt and Road Initiative: By making environmental standards mandatory for the projects it finances abroad, China can reduce the emissions from these projects and contribute to global efforts to curb climate change.
• Collaborate with other countries: China has already started cooperating with other countries, such as Japan, South Korea, and the European Union, on climate change efforts. Continuing and expanding this collaboration can lead to the sharing of technologies and best practices, benefiting China's domestic emission reduction efforts as well.

Frequently asked questions