Chinese Coal Pollution: Global Reach, Us Impact

China's coal pollution has captivated onlookers worldwide, and its effects are felt across the Pacific in North America. Chinese emissions have been found to contribute to air pollution in the United States, with a recent study estimating that on the worst days, they account for up to 12%-24% of sulfate, 2%-5% of ozone, 4%-6% of carbon monoxide, and up to 11% of black carbon particulate over the West Coast. As the top two energy consumers globally, the energy policies and actions of the United States and China are interdependent, with consequences for global emissions and climate change. While China grapples with reducing its coal dependence, the United States faces challenges in transitioning from coal to cleaner alternatives. The interplay between these two nations' energy scenarios significantly influences international efforts to combat transboundary air pollution.

Chinese coal pollution affects air quality in the US

China's air pollution has captivated observers worldwide, and its effects on neighbouring countries such as Japan and South Korea are well-documented. However, Chinese coal pollution also affects air quality in the United States, thousands of miles away. A recent study estimated that on the worst days, Chinese emissions accounted for 12%-24% of the sulfate, 2%-5% of the ozone, 4%-6% of the carbon monoxide, and up to 11% of the black carbon particulate over the West Coast of the United States.

There are several factors contributing to this issue. Firstly, China's coal-fired power plants release enormous quantities of sulfur dioxide, which is the country's most significant pollution problem. In 2004, China emitted about 22.5 million tons of sulfur, more than double the amount released in the United States. Acid rain, caused by sulfur dioxide emissions, now falls on 30% of China and has severe ecological consequences, including the poisoning of crops, trees, and lakes. The carbon dioxide released from Chinese coal plants also has a cumulative warming effect, contributing to global warming and climate change.

Secondly, international trade and outsourcing of manufacturing to China have impacted air pollution levels in the United States. As China has become a major exporter of energy-intensive industrial products, the combustion of fossil fuels, particularly coal, has increased. This has resulted in higher levels of air pollution, some of which is transported across the Pacific Ocean to the United States. The US outsourcing of manufacturing to China has been linked to increased sulfate pollution in the western United States, while emissions have decreased in the eastern regions.

Additionally, dispersed coal, which is raw coal that has not been processed according to strict standards, is a significant source of air pollution in northern China during the winter months. Even though it accounts for only 2% of China's total coal consumption, it produces 5 to 10 times more air pollution per unit of energy than industrial coal. China has implemented policies to address this issue, and in 2020, President Xi Jinping pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, signalling a shift towards decarbonization.

While China's coal pollution has impacted air quality in the United States, it is important to note that US consumption patterns and outsourcing of manufacturing have also contributed to the problem. The average American consumes more energy and is responsible for releasing 10 times more carbon dioxide than the average Chinese citizen. Furthermore, a significant portion of China's exports are manufactured for the US market, with the US accounting for about 20% of China's total exports. Therefore, the United States plays a role in China's domestic air pollution levels.

US outsourcing manufacturing to China increases pollution

China and the United States are the top two energy consumers in the world. Fossil fuels constitute a large majority of energy consumption in both countries, although renewable sources and cleaner alternatives are expected to contribute a slightly higher percentage of total energy in the next 25 years. China surpassed the US as the world's leading emitter of greenhouse gases in 2006.

China's air pollution has captivated audiences worldwide, with many observers noting its contribution to pollution in Japan, Korea, and even the West Coast of the United States. Chinese emissions have been estimated to account for up to 24% of sulfates, 5% of ozone, 6% of carbon monoxide, and 11% of black carbon particulate matter over the US West Coast.

The United States has been criticised for outsourcing its manufacturing to China, contributing to China's pollution problem. About 24% of China's GDP comes from manufacturing for export, and the US accounts for about 20% of China's exports. This means that around 5% of China's GDP is from goods manufactured for the US. While manufacturing is not the primary source of China's air pollution, with power generation being the largest consumer of coal, the US still contributes to China's pollution through its demand for manufactured goods.

The US has taken steps to address these concerns, with US officials requiring detailed "environmental reviews" of trade agreements. Additionally, the US has contributed $15 million towards initial research efforts in a joint research center with China to address issues related to clean energy.

China's coal consumption impacts global climate change

China is the world's largest consumer and producer of coal, and its consumption and production accounted for more than half of the world's total in 2021. China's coal consumption has a significant impact on global climate change. For the past decade, more than 20% of global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels have come from coal combustion in China. In 2020, Chinese coal-fired power stations were responsible for over 15% of global CO2 emissions. China's coal production increased by 5.7% in 2021, reaching 4.13 billion tonnes, and surged by 11% in the first half of 2022.

China's coal consumption is a major driver of global CO2 emissions and a significant contributor to its air pollution crisis, which causes approximately 1.1 million deaths each year. A recent study estimated that on the worst days, Chinese emissions accounted for 12-24% of the sulfate, 2-5% of the ozone, 4-6% of the carbon monoxide, and up to 11% of the black carbon particulate over the West Coast of the United States. China's air pollution also affects air quality in Japan, Korea, and up and down the coast of North America.

China's coal-fired power plants play a significant role in global climate change. Coal produces more CO2 per unit of energy than any other fuel, and dispersed coal, which accounts for 2% of China's total coal consumption, results in 5 to 10 times more air pollution per unit of energy than industrial coal. China has recognized the need to reduce its coal consumption and has set ambitious goals for decreasing coal usage and increasing renewable energy sources in its energy mix. However, China's commitment to reducing coal consumption is complicated by its focus on energy security and the political, economic, and technological obstacles it faces in transitioning away from coal as its primary energy source.

China's success in reducing its reliance on coal will have a significant impact on the world's ability to meet its climate goals. Economic projections forecast that China's coal consumption will peak before 2020 and decrease rapidly thereafter, contributing to medium-term optimism about air pollution. China has set targets for coal use per kWh in electricity generation and has steadily made those targets more stringent. Additionally, China's CO2 Emissions Trading System encourages greater efficiencies in the coal-fired power fleet.

US coal exports to China contribute to pollution

The United States exports more coal to other countries than it imports. In 2022, the US exported about 85.9 million short tons of coal to 71 countries, with metallurgical coal accounting for about 54% of total exports. In the same year, steam coal accounted for 75% of total US coal imports.

China, on the other hand, is a net importer of coal, importing approximately 8–10% of the coal it uses. In 2020, China's coal imports reached a record 304 million tonnes, rising to 323 million tonnes in 2021. China's vast stores of domestic coal reserves and its position as the world's second-largest proven coal reserve holder influence the global economy, geopolitics, and the environment.

The US has planned to build coal terminals near Bellingham and Longview, Washington, to ship a projected 108 million tons of coal per year to China. However, China's coal consumption is projected to peak before 2020 and decrease rapidly afterward as the country aggressively increases power generation from alternative energy sources. This calls into question the profitability of the proposed Pacific Northwest coal terminals.

The transport of coal to these terminals by train brings environmental risks, including increased air pollution near railroad routes, massive traffic congestion, and coal spills at ports. In addition, the combustion of coal for energy production results in approximately twice the amount of greenhouse gas emissions compared to direct coal burning.

While China's air pollution affects North America, it is important to note that a significant portion of this pollution is caused by emissions from factories producing goods for export to the United States and other foreign markets. About 24% of China's GDP comes from manufacturing for export, and the United States accounts for about 20% of China's total exports. Thus, the United States contributes indirectly to China's air pollution through its demand for manufactured goods.

China's energy consumption influences US policy

China and the United States are the world's top two energy consumers and the largest and second-largest emitters of greenhouse gases, respectively. As such, one country's energy consumption can significantly impact the other's policy.

China's air pollution has also affected air quality in the United States. Chinese emissions have been estimated to account for a significant proportion of pollutants over the West Coast of the United States. Some of this pollution is caused by emissions from factories producing goods for export to the United States, which constitutes around 5% of China's GDP.

In recent years, China has been transitioning to renewable energy sources and implementing policies to reduce its carbon emissions. In 2020, President Xi Jinping pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2060, and China's Mid-Century Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategy includes a goal of 80% non-fossil fuels in the energy mix. China's 14th Five-Year Plan sets targets for coal use per kWh in electricity generation, encouraging greater efficiency and investment in low-carbon generation. These policies have influenced US energy transition policies, such as the IRA, which aims to revitalise US manufacturing and further the energy transition.

However, there are concerns that China's clean energy manufacturing capacity is flooding global markets with cheap exports, threatening American firms. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has emphasised the need for a strategic response to China's industrial policy to protect American businesses.

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