China's War On Pollution: Strategies And Successes

China has made significant progress in its battle against pollution, particularly in addressing air pollution. The country has implemented various measures to reduce air pollution and improve air quality, including the promotion of electric vehicles and the development of new and clean energy sources. China's efforts have resulted in substantial reductions in pollution levels and associated health risks, with cleaner air being visible in cities like Beijing. The decline in global pollution levels can be attributed to China's success in steeply reducing pollution, especially in controlling PM2.5, the most harmful particulate matter. Despite these improvements, China continues to face challenges, and it is premature to celebrate the end of its war against pollution as there is still work to be done to meet international standards and sustain these improvements.

Reducing PM2.5 levels

China has been taking several measures to reduce PM2.5 levels, deemed the most harmful particulate matter, and improve its air quality.

In Beijing, the budget to fight air pollution increased from 3 billion yuan (US$434 million) in 2013 to 18 billion yuan (US$2.6 billion) in 2017. By the end of 2017, the annual average PM2.5 concentration in Beijing had dropped to 58ug/m3, a 35% decrease from 2013 levels. Beijing has also been praised by the UN for its successful model of improving air quality, which included shutting down industrial sites and improving heating systems. However, there is criticism that this improvement was achieved by moving factories to surrounding provinces.

China has also been transitioning to electric mobility, leading the global market with 99% of the world's 385,000 electric buses. The country plans to have fast-charging stations at no less than 80% of highway service areas in key regions by 2025, including Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai. This transition to electric mobility has helped curb vehicle emissions and improve air quality for Beijing's 21 million citizens.

China's State Council released the "Action Plan for Continuous Improvement of Air Quality" in November 2023, aiming to reduce PM2.5 levels nationwide and in key regions by 2025. The plan includes strictly controlling coal use, curbing high-emissions projects, and developing new and clean energy sources. China also intends to increase natural gas production and reduce high energy consumption and high emissions projects.

Despite these efforts, PM2.5 levels in China increased in 2023 after a decade of decline. This increase has been attributed to a rise in human-caused emissions, particularly in the coal, oil, and metal industries. Additionally, unfavourable weather conditions have exacerbated PM2.5 pollution in certain areas.

To further reduce PM2.5 levels, China should implement a multi-pollutant emission reduction strategy that addresses both PM2.5 and ozone (O3) pollution. Prior to the pandemic, China had made significant progress in reducing coal consumption in its energy mix, decreasing it from 67.4% in 2013 to 57.7% in 2019. However, there is a concern that China is becoming increasingly dependent on fossil fuels, which could hinder its progress in reducing PM2.5 levels.

Controlling coal use

China's fight against pollution has been a 20-year journey that has touched every sector of its capital city Beijing's economy and significantly impacted the lives of its 21 million residents.

Beijing's air pollution problem was evident in the 1990s, as the city's booming population, industry, and coal use led to headlines around the world about its impenetrable smog. Since then, China has made significant strides in reducing air pollution and improving the air quality for its citizens.

One of the critical aspects of China's battle against pollution has been controlling coal use. Coal-fired power plants are a significant source of air pollution, and China has taken several measures to address this issue. The Chinese government has implemented policies to reduce coal's share of the energy mix, including capping coal use, removing dispersed coal from urban areas, and switching from coal to natural gas heating.

Dispersed coal, which includes coal used for home heating and cooking, is a particular area of focus. While it accounts for only 2% of China's total coal consumption, it results in 5 to 10 times more air pollution per unit of energy than industrial coal due to its inefficient combustion and lack of emission filters. By 2020, the government had released a Mid-Century Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategy, aiming for 80% non-fossil fuels in the energy mix. In the same year, President Xi Jinping pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2060, sending a clear message about coal's long-term future in China.

China has also promoted the use of electric vehicles, with the country owning 99% of the world's 385,000 electric buses, and plans to increase that number to 600,000 by 2025. Additionally, China aims to expand funding for clean heating in the northern regions and increase credit and financing support for upgrading traditional industries. Railway transport is also being prioritized, with a goal of railway accounting for 90% of long-haul coal transport around key mining hubs in the northern and northwestern regions by 2025.

While China has made significant progress in controlling coal use and improving air quality, it is important to note that the fight against pollution is ongoing, and continued efforts are necessary to sustain and build upon the gains made thus far.

Promoting electric vehicles

China has become a leader in electric mobility, with the world's capital of electric vehicles, Beijing, leading the way. The country owns 99% of the world's 385,000 electric buses, a figure expected to double by 2025. This shift to electric mobility has significantly improved the air quality in Beijing, a city that once made headlines for its impenetrable smog.

Beijing's anti-pollution campaign, launched in 2013, focused on controlling PM2.5, the most harmful type of particulate matter. By 2019, the average PM2.5 concentration had dropped by 50%, from 72 micrograms per cubic meter in 2013 to 36 μg/m³ in 2019, resulting in a significant decline in global pollution levels.

The Chinese government has played a pivotal role in promoting electric vehicles (EVs) through various incentives and policies. Firstly, they have provided generous government subsidies to EV companies, including support for lithium batteries, which has accelerated the development and sales of EVs in the country. Secondly, they have implemented tax exemptions for electric vehicles, waiving consumption and sales taxes, resulting in significant cost savings for purchasers.

In addition to financial incentives, the government has used its procurement power to promote EVs. A mandate in 2016 required that half of the new vehicles purchased by the central government be new energy vehicles within five years. They have also introduced requirements for new auto factories, strongly discouraging the construction of factories solely for internal combustion engine vehicles. Any new vehicle factory must now include the capacity for the construction of electric vehicles.

The Chinese government has also actively supported the development of EV charging infrastructure. They have set targets, provided funding, and mandated standards for EV charging stations. By 2020, they aimed to have 120,000 EV charging stations and 4.8 million EV charging posts, with additional requirements for new communities and workplaces to have EV charging installed.

Furthermore, many provincial and local governments in China have implemented their own incentives to promote EVs. These include faster and cheaper access to license plates for electric vehicles, preferential parking spaces, exemptions from driving restrictions, and subsidies for local manufacturers of electric vehicles.

The collective efforts of the Chinese government and its local municipalities have significantly contributed to the country's fight against pollution, with Beijing's success in reducing air pollution offering valuable lessons for other nations to follow.

Improving energy efficiency

China has implemented a range of measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution. Here is an overview of their efforts:

• China has invested in energy efficiency initiatives, renewable energy sources, and emissions control technologies. For example, the country has financed the installation of equipment to remove particulate matter, implemented flue gas desulfurization and denitrification processes, and expanded the use of clean energy vehicles.
• The World Bank-supported Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control Program has played a crucial role in this transition. This program has leveraged funding to mainstream green finance and support China's efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
• China has also shifted its focus to address air pollutants at their source. This includes reducing coal consumption in the industrial and building sectors and increasing the supply of renewable energy.
• To improve energy efficiency in transportation, China has promoted the use of electric vehicles and the development of electric mobility. The country owns 99% of the world's electric buses, and by 2025, they aim to have fast-charging stations at 80% of highway service areas in key regions.
• China has set ambitious targets for the electrification of vehicle fleets and the expansion of public charging networks. By 2025, they aim for 20% of new car sales to be new energy vehicles (NEVs), and by 2035, they aim for electric vehicles (EVs) to be the mainstream choice.
• China is also working to reduce emissions from freight transport. By 2025, they plan to increase freight cargo transport by rail and water by 10% and 12%, respectively, reducing the reliance on higher-polluting road transport.
• In addition, China has implemented a national emission trading scheme (ETS) to manage and reduce carbon emissions.

While China has made significant progress in improving energy efficiency and reducing pollution, the country recognizes the need for continued efforts to address the remaining challenges and achieve long-term sustainability.

Investing in renewable energy

China has become a leader in renewable energy investment, accounting for one-third of clean energy investments worldwide and contributing significantly to its overall GDP growth. The country has set ambitious carbon goals, aiming to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

China has made remarkable progress in adding renewable capacity, with impressive growth in solar, wind, and nuclear power. In 2023, China's solar installations matched the entire world's installations in 2022, and its wind capacity also increased by 66% year-on-year. China has also invested significantly in nuclear power, adding 11 GW of capacity in the last five years, the largest addition by any country.

China's leadership has recognised the diplomatic and environmental implications of being the world's worst polluter and has made strategic investments in renewable technologies. This includes solar, wind, green hydrogen, and geothermal projects, as well as battery storage research and development. China's investments in renewable energy amounted to US$126.6 billion in 2017, accounting for 45% of global investments.

China has also become a major exporter of clean energy technology, driving down the costs of renewable energy technologies worldwide. The country has encouraged foreign investment in its wind power generation, with companies like Bosch Rexroth making significant investments in wind turbine generator businesses and expanding their plants. China has also linked its electric power networks with Russia, reducing its dependence on imported oil and enhancing energy security.

China is also leading the global market in electric mobility, with 99% of the world's electric buses, further reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The country has promoted the use of electric vehicles and plans to have fast-charging stations at 80% of highway service areas in key regions by 2025.

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