China And India's Environmental Pollution Crisis

China and India, the two most populous countries in the world, are facing severe environmental issues due to pollution. In China, industrialization has led to increased soil pollution, threatening food safety and sustainable agriculture. Carbon-intensive industries have caused air pollution, water scarcity, and soil contamination, with 99.9% of China's 1.4 billion people living in areas exceeding the WHO's annual average particulate pollution guideline. India, meanwhile, has 246 coal-fired power plants, most of which are inefficient and highly polluting, contributing to the country having 21 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world in 2019. Both countries are implementing measures to combat pollution, but the scale of the problem poses a significant challenge.

China and India's large populations and economic growth

China and India, the two most populous countries in the world, have experienced significant economic growth in recent years. This economic growth has been accompanied by an increase in pollution levels, particularly air pollution, which has had detrimental effects on the environment and the health of the population.

China and India's large populations have contributed to the pollution problem in these countries. With over 1.4 billion people each, the pressure on resources and infrastructure is immense. This has led to overcrowding in cities, contributing to traffic congestion and the concentration of polluting industries in certain areas. Additionally, the demand for energy and consumer goods has increased, leading to a rise in emissions from power plants and factories.

The economic growth of China and India has been a significant factor in the pollution problem. As these countries have industrialized and urbanized, they have become heavily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly coal, for energy production. This has resulted in high levels of carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to climate change and air pollution. Additionally, the expansion of heavy industries, such as steel and cement production, has further exacerbated the pollution levels in these countries.

China's economic growth has been particularly notable, with the country becoming the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide. While China has taken some initiatives to control pollution, such as restricting vehicle ownership and usage, implementing city-specific air quality targets, and banning new coal-fired power plants in certain areas, it still faces significant challenges in reducing emissions and improving air quality.

India, on the other hand, has been slower to address its pollution problem. While there have been some efforts, such as the Supreme Court's ban on the sale of fireworks during Diwali and the restriction on stubble burning, the pollution levels in cities like Delhi remain dangerously high. India's pollution crisis is often absent from its climate and environmental ambitions, and the country continues to struggle with high levels of air pollution that impact the health and productivity of its population.

However, it is important to note that the pollution problem in China and India is not solely their responsibility. Many developed countries, such as the United States and those in Europe, have historically contributed significantly more to climate change and pollution levels. Additionally, the consumption patterns of developed countries contribute to the pollution levels in China and India, as they import goods produced in these countries. Therefore, a global solution and collaborative effort are necessary to address the climate emergency effectively.

China's coal power reliance

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal power, with coal accounting for approximately 59% of China's electricity generation in 2024. The country is currently running 1,058 coal plants, which is more than half of the world's capacity. China's installed coal-based power generation capacity was 1080 GW in 2021, about half of the total installed capacity of power stations in the country. In 2020, 57% of energy consumption in China was from coal, and 49% was from coal-fired power.

China's dependence on coal has provided employment and economic output and has generated substantial export revenues. Over 3.21 million people in China rely directly on coal-related jobs. However, the country's energy transition towards cleaner and more sustainable forms of energy has been hampered by its continued reliance on coal. While China has made progress in reducing its reliance on coal, it has also been building new thermal power plants, with Beijing constructing one thermal power plant every week in 2023. China is also the largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, and its growing reliance on coal is affecting global efforts to tackle climate change.

In 2023, China imported 220 million tonnes of coal in the first half of the year, a 93% increase year-on-year. This increase in coal imports is driven by rising demand from the steel industry, revitalization efforts in the real estate sector, and favorable import conditions from Mongolia and Russia. China's energy transition policies are projected to reduce coal consumption in the long term, with renewable energy expected to supply 88% of electricity generation by 2050. However, in the short term, coal mining companies are playing a dominant role in financing new coal power projects, and the country has pledged to keep coal consumption below 3.8 billion tonnes per annum.

India's agricultural burning

India's pollution problem is well-documented, with the country topping the world in pollution-related deaths, accounting for 2.5 million of the 9 million deaths attributed to pollution worldwide in 2015. Of the world's 30 most polluted cities, 22 are in India.

Agricultural burning is a significant contributor to India's poor air quality. Farmers in the country burn about 23 million tonnes of paddy stubble every year, and this practice has severe consequences for the environment and public health. The toxic fumes from stubble burning affect hundreds of millions of people, creating a massive public health crisis. The fumes pollute swathes of northern India and endanger the health of those exposed, particularly as pollution makes people more vulnerable to infection and slows their recovery.

The root of the problem dates back to the mid-1960s when India needed to ensure food security for its growing population. To produce more food each year, farmers were incentivized to grow rice in the summer and wheat in the winter. The government offered subsidies, and the primarily agrarian states of Punjab and Haryana largely shifted away from traditional crops like corn, oilseeds, lentils, and chickpeas. This Green Revolution turbo-charged crop production, but it also had unintended consequences for the environment.

Today, the tight schedule of the harvest-to-sowing transition means that the fastest and most cost-effective way for farmers to clear their fields is to set them on fire. The smoke from these fires, combined with emissions from coal-fired power plants, travels on the wind across northern India, directly into cities like New Delhi.

While the Indian government has implemented regulations to reduce agricultural fires, including crop residue management, burning bans, and fines, these measures have had limited success. However, there are some signs of progress. For example, the government has launched programs to help farmers buy new equipment that allows them to clear their fields without burning stubble. Additionally, grassroots environmental movements are gaining traction in India, with local communities fighting against the coal industry and deforestation.

China's manufacturing and oil refineries

China is the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide. A 2014 study of China's air quality found that a large proportion of pollutants, including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, were related to goods produced for export.

China's domestic politics have played a role in the evolution of its refinery markets. The country's four state-owned oil giants, Sinopec, PetroChina, CNOOC, and Sinochem, have historically had direct access to crude oil imports. However, independent refiners have faced restrictions and are required to secure import quotas from the central government. In recent years, China has allowed independent refiners to import more crude oil, stabilizing refinery capacity and reducing overcapacity problems.

China has also implemented pollution control initiatives, such as setting up city-specific targets for air quality progress and requiring companies to complete environmental impact assessments. While coal-fired power plants and steel factories have been targeted, restrictions on vehicle ownership and usage have also been implemented due to auto emissions being a major source of air pollution.

India's leather tanning industry

India and China have been criticized for their polluting factories, with China being the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide. However, it's important to acknowledge that these countries manufacture goods that are imported and consumed by Western nations, thus contributing to their pollution levels.

Now, focusing on India's leather tanning industry, it is a significant contributor to the country's pollution and environmental issues. With around 400 small tannery operations, a town in northern India along the Ganges River is being contaminated with hexavalent chromium. The Ganges, India's holiest river, is not spared from the pollution, with the leather industry in Jajmau, Kanpur, being a major contributor.

The tanning process involves treating raw animal hides with chemicals like chrome, acids, natrium, and ammonium salts. Chrome tanning, which makes up a large majority of the industry, uses chrome salts known for their cancer-causing abilities. A 2005 study revealed that 69,000 tons of chrome salts are used annually in 1,600 Indian tanneries. This has led to severe health issues among tannery workers, including skin diseases, asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and pneumonia. A 2008 study by the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research found that tannery workers had double the risk of morbidity due to increased exposure to leather dust containing high levels of chromium.

The issue is exacerbated by the fact that many tanneries in India are small-scale or medium-scale operations, making it challenging to enforce regulations. These businesses generate significant employment and have strong political support, making it difficult to shut them down. However, there is growing recognition of the need to upgrade these industries or ask them to close.

While India's leather tanning industry has started addressing environmental concerns, more urgent action is required to protect the health and safety of workers, reduce pollution, and prevent further contamination of the environment, especially the Ganges River.

Frequently asked questions