Greta Jimenez
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has made significant strides in reducing pollution since declaring a war against pollution in 2014. The country has implemented various measures to combat pollution, including restricting the number of cars on the road, introducing electric bus fleets, reducing iron and steel-making capacity, shutting down coal mines, and investing heavily in afforestation and reforestation programs. China's Air Pollution Action Plan, released in 2013, played a pivotal role in improving air quality, reducing PM2.5 levels significantly in major cities. Beijing, in particular, has pursued cleaner air through initiatives like Low Emission Zones (LEZs) and license plate lotteries, driving bans, and incentives for newer, less polluting vehicles. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to reduced pollution levels as lockdown measures curbed industrial and economic activities. China's efforts have resulted in substantial pollution reductions, outpacing the progress made by the United States and Europe, and leading to notable gains in life expectancy for its citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of federal monitoring stations | Increased from 661 in 2012 to 1,800 in 2020 |
| Air quality | Improved by 35% in highly polluted northern cities between 2013 and 2017 |
| Annual average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) | 57 micrograms per metre cubed in 2017 |
| Deaths due to outdoor air quality | Over 1 million per year |
| Air Pollution Action Plan | Released in September 2013 |
| Reduction in PM2.5 levels | 33% in Beijing and 15% in the Pearl River Delta between 2013 and 2017 |
| Afforestation and reforestation programmes | Planted more than 35 billion trees across 12 provinces |
| Expenditure on forestry programmes | Over $100 billion |
| Particulate pollution reduction | 39.6% reduction between 2013 and 2020 |
| Electric vehicles | Aim to have fast-charging stations at 80% of highway service areas in key regions by 2025 |
| Coal consumption | Aim to reduce by 10% in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas by 2025 |
| Carbon dioxide emissions | Reduced by 2.5 million tons per year |
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What You'll Learn
Reducing coal consumption
China is the world's largest consumer and producer of coal, with coal production and consumption accounting for more than half of the world's total in 2021. In the same year, coal accounted for 56% of China's primary energy consumption, and the country's coal-fired power stations were responsible for over 15% of global CO2 emissions. As such, reducing coal consumption is a key part of China's efforts to improve air quality and reduce pollution.
During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), China introduced policies aimed at reducing coal consumption, including capping coal use, removing coal from urban areas, switching from coal to natural gas heating, closing inefficient coal-fired boilers, and strengthening efficiency standards in power plants. These policies have contributed to a steady decline in coal's share of primary energy consumption in China since the mid-2000s, falling from over 70% to 57% in 2020.
In 2019, China announced the completion of ultra-low emissions and energy-saving revamps on its coal fleet, claiming to have built the world's largest clean coal power supply system. However, experts caution that without specific targets on total coal consumption and CO2 emissions, China's near-term commitments on coal reduction leave room for uncertainties.
Looking ahead, President Xi has pledged to strictly control coal use during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) and start phasing down coal consumption during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). This aligns with China's commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
To achieve these goals, China will need to address its continued reliance on coal and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources. While coal has played a significant role in China's economic development, reducing coal consumption is essential for the country's progress toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
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Reforestation programmes
China has been combating deforestation and promoting large-scale reforestation efforts for decades. The country has added 425,000 square kilometres to its forested areas, representing a 24% increase. China has also spearheaded the largest reforestation effort globally, but it has seen a 7.4% decrease in tree cover between 2001 and 2023.
China's reforestation efforts have been driven by the government, which recognised the vital role of natural forests in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. One of the key initiatives is the Three-North Shelterbelt Program, a large-scale effort to enhance environmental conditions and augment forestation in China's northern regions. The program spans 13 provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities, totalling 4.069 million square kilometres. It aims to boost tree coverage, stabilise soil, prevent sandstorms, and enhance ecological conditions in arid and semi-arid zones.
Another significant project is the Great Green Wall of China, initiated in Northern China in the 1970s in response to the Gobi Desert's incursion. It is a massive reforestation project meant to counteract desertification and slow down the consequences of climate change. The project involves planting windbreaking forest strips (shelterbelts) to hold back the expansion of the Gobi Desert and provide timber to the local population. The Great Green Wall is expected to be completed around 2050, spanning approximately 4,828 kilometres in length and encompassing around 88 million acres of forests.
China has also implemented other initiatives to promote reforestation, such as the Grain for Green Programme, which aims to convert steeply sloped or ecologically fragile farmland into forests or grasslands. The Chinese government has provided subsidies and compensation to farmers to stop cultivation and allow for natural forest regeneration. Additionally, China has committed to increasing its forest stock and has implemented a nationwide ban on felling natural forests, demonstrating its dedication to combating deforestation and promoting reforestation.
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Air Pollution Action Plan
China's Air Pollution Action Plan, released in September 2013, has been instrumental in improving the nation's air quality. This plan, along with subsequent measures, has guided China's battle against air pollution, targeting a significant reduction in PM2.5 levels.
The 2013 Action Plan initially focused on city clusters like Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Pearl and Yangtze Deltas. Beijing, a critical battleground in this war on pollution, implemented a range of measures, including Low Emission Zones (LEZs) to restrict polluting vehicles and incentivize cleaner modes of transportation. The city also introduced driving bans, license plate lotteries, and scrapping incentives for older vehicles. Beijing's coordinated efforts with surrounding areas, such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, led to a nearly 25% decrease in annual average PM2.5 concentrations during 2013-2017.
China's commitment to reducing air pollution is further demonstrated by its aggressive afforestation and reforestation programs, such as the Great Green Wall, involving the planting of over 35 billion trees across 12 provinces. These initiatives have helped combat sandstorms, a previous springtime scourge in Beijing.
To curb greenhouse gas emissions, China has promoted electric vehicles, aiming for fast-charging stations at a majority of highway service areas in key regions like Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai by 2025. Additionally, the country has encouraged freight cargo transport by rail and water, reducing reliance on road transport. China has also established a national emission trading scheme (ETS) and is transitioning away from coal, with a focus on clean energy sources.
In 2018, China entered the second phase of its anti-pollution campaign, introducing a Three-year Action Plan for Winning the Blue Sky War. This plan expanded the scope to all Chinese cities, aiming to reduce hazardous airborne particles and keep severe pollution days to a minimum. The country continues to allocate substantial resources to this battle, recognizing the health and longevity benefits of improved air quality.
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Reducing car emissions
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has been taking steps to reduce its overall emissions, with a particular focus on reducing car emissions. As the world's largest automobile producer and consumer, China has had to grapple with the detrimental impacts of increased oil consumption.
One of the key strategies employed by China to reduce car emissions is the implementation of Low Emission Zones (LEZs). LEZs restrict access for polluting vehicles, encouraging the adoption of cleaner, emission-compliant modes of transportation. These zones drive the transformation of vehicle fleets, with newer vehicles adhering to stricter emission standards and older ones being retrofitted with emission reduction technology. Beijing, for example, has introduced initiatives such as license plate lotteries, driving bans, and scrapping incentives for older vehicles, demonstrating its commitment to phasing out polluting cars.
In addition to LEZs, China has also been promoting the use of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and electric buses. The country has implemented policies such as the NEV Industrial Development Plan 2021-2035 and the Technology Roadmap for Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicles 2.0. These policies aim to incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles and improve fuel efficiency, which can generate an additional 17% of cumulative emissions reductions from 2020 to 2060. China has also been working on modernizing its bus fleet, with cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou introducing all-electric bus fleets.
Another strategy China has employed is the implementation of stricter vehicle emissions standards. From July 1, 2023, China banned the production, imports, and sales of vehicles that do not comply with the National VI B emission standards. These standards include stricter requirements on pollutants such as carbon monoxide for gas and petrol vehicles. The new standards also require Real-Driving Emission (RDE) tests, ensuring that vehicles are tested while being driven on the road, providing a more accurate assessment of their emissions.
Furthermore, China has been encouraging structural changes in transportation patterns, such as shifting from private cars to buses and improving vehicle occupancy. These changes can significantly reduce emissions, with the potential to cut cumulative road transport emissions by 23% by 2060. Additionally, smaller vehicle fleet sizes can reduce the needed investments in power and infrastructure, making it more cost-effective to achieve deep decarbonization.
While China has made significant progress in reducing car emissions, there is still work to be done to meet its carbon neutrality goals. The country's transport decarbonization strategy has important domestic and global repercussions, and further ambitious policies will be necessary to achieve its targets.
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Reducing industrial emissions
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has implemented various measures to reduce industrial emissions and combat air pollution.
One significant approach has been the introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in major cities like Beijing. These zones restrict access to polluting vehicles, encouraging the adoption of cleaner, emission-compliant modes of transportation. Beijing has also implemented initiatives such as license plate lotteries, driving bans, and incentives for scrapping older vehicles. Additionally, the city has focused on reducing coal consumption by shutting down industrial sites and improving heating systems.
China has also invested heavily in afforestation and reforestation programs, such as the Great Green Wall, planting over 35 billion trees across 12 provinces. These programs have improved air quality and reduced the impact of sandstorms. The country has further reduced its iron and steel-making capacity and shut down coal mines, contributing to decreased emissions.
To address emission-intensive industries, China has implemented a "dual-control policy," setting targets for energy intensity and total energy consumption. The government has halted new permits for coal-based steel plants and indefinitely suspended all new steel plant permits. China's central government has also issued guidance on peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, aiming to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
China has made significant progress in renewable energy, with wind and solar capacity targets being reached ahead of schedule. The country's non-fossil power generation capacity now exceeds that of fossil fuels, although coal remains the primary energy source. China's five-year plans have driven cost reductions in low-carbon technologies, particularly solar PV, impacting the global outlook on clean energy.
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Frequently asked questions
China has implemented a range of measures to reduce air pollution, including:
- Reducing the number of cars on the road and introducing electric buses
- Reducing coal consumption
- Investing in afforestation and reforestation programmes
- Implementing air pollution action plans
- Establishing Low Emission Zones (LEZs)
- Promoting the use of electric vehicles
- Increasing freight cargo transport by rail and water
- Investing in clean heating technologies
China's efforts to reduce air pollution have had a significant impact, with particulate pollution declining by 39.6% from 2013 to 2020. This has led to substantial improvements in air quality, with PM2.5 levels in major cities dropping by 33% in Beijing and 15% in the Pearl River Delta between 2013 and 2017. The country also played a vital role in accounting for three-quarters of global air pollution reductions from 2013 to 2020.
As the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, China has implemented several measures to reduce its emissions, including:
- Operating a national emission trading scheme (ETS)
- Setting targets to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060
- Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
- Establishing a "1+N" climate policy system to provide direction and political guidance for decarbonisation efforts
One of the main challenges is the need to balance economic growth with pollution reduction. In the past, some households were left without heat during winter due to the removal of coal boilers before alternative systems could be installed. Additionally, despite recent improvements, Beijing's air pollution levels are still three times higher than Los Angeles, indicating that more needs to be done.
