Kiera Jefferson
China has been battling an unprecedented environmental health crisis, with air pollution being a major source of worry. In 2013, China launched an anti-pollution campaign that focused on controlling PM2.5, deemed the most harmful particulate matter. This campaign, along with stricter public policies, has resulted in a significant reduction in air pollution, with China boasting the fastest air quality improvement worldwide. However, China still faces challenges in water and soil pollution, with contaminated water being used for irrigation and heavy metals adversely affecting human health. China has implemented various measures to improve its environmental record, including shifting from coal to gas heating, promoting electric vehicles, and establishing a national emission trading scheme. Despite these efforts, China continues to grapple with high air pollution readings, and the overall level of air pollution remains unhealthy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Anti-pollution campaign | Launched in 2013, focused on controlling PM2.5 |
| Reduction in PM2.5 concentration | Dropped by 50% from 2013 to 2019 |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in 2022 | 29 μg/m³ |
| Number of days with good air quality in 2022 | 316 |
| Action plan to improve air quality | Control total coal use, curb high-emissions projects, promote electric vehicles, increase freight cargo transport by rail and water, reduce coal consumption in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region |
| National climate policy | 1+N climate policy system |
| National emission trading scheme | Started in July 2021 |
| Energy source | Gas is considered a "clean energy" source |
| Water pollution | 90% of groundwater is contaminated |
| Water consumption goals | Reduce water consumption by 23% from 2015 levels by 2020 |
| Sewage treatment | Funded construction/renovation of 80,000 km of sewage collection pipeline network between 2021-2025 |
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What You'll Learn
- China's anti-pollution campaign focuses on PM2.5, the most harmful particulate matter
- China's plans to reduce coal consumption and increase clean energy sources
- China's Belt and Road Initiative has been criticised for lacking environmental guidelines
- China's overfishing and operation of mega-dams harm the world's oceans
- China's progress in reducing water pollution and improving water quality
China's anti-pollution campaign focuses on PM2.5, the most harmful particulate matter
China's anti-pollution campaign, launched in 2013, has focused on reducing PM2.5, the most harmful type of air pollutant. This particulate matter, with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns, is small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing serious health issues. According to the Global Burden of Disease study, ambient PM2.5 pollution caused approximately 1.4 million premature deaths in China in 2019.
The campaign has shown positive results, with a 50% reduction in PM2.5 concentration between 2013 and 2019, from 72 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) to 36 μg/m³. The decline in PM2.5 pollution in China has been so significant that it is responsible for the overall decrease in global pollution levels, according to a University of Chicago study. This reduction in pollution is estimated to increase the average life expectancy in China by 2.2 years.
However, China's battle against pollution is far from over. The current PM2.5 concentration of 29 μg/m³ is still far from the WHO standard of 5 μg/m³. Furthermore, in 2023, PM2.5 levels increased for the first time in a decade, rebounding in 80% of provincial capitals, including Beijing. This rebound is concerning, and the Chinese government has taken further steps to address it.
In 2023, China issued an action plan to further improve air quality, targeting a 10% reduction in PM2.5 density by 2025 compared to 2020 levels. This plan includes measures such as controlling coal use, curbing high-emissions projects, promoting electric vehicles, and increasing the use of rail and water transport for freight. China also aims to reduce coal consumption in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region by about 10% by 2025. These efforts demonstrate China's ongoing commitment to tackling air pollution and improving the health and well-being of its citizens.
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China's plans to reduce coal consumption and increase clean energy sources
China has implemented various plans and policies to reduce its coal consumption and increase its use of clean energy sources. As the world's largest consumer and producer of coal, with coal consumption accounting for more than half of the world's total in 2021, China's plans to reduce coal consumption are crucial in combating pollution and addressing climate change.
During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), China introduced policies aimed at reducing coal's share in the energy mix. These policies included capping coal use, removing dispersed coal from urban areas, transitioning from coal to natural gas heating, shutting down inefficient coal-fired boilers, tightening CO2 emissions standards, and enhancing efficiency standards for power plants. China intends to “strictly control" coal use during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and begin phasing it down during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). However, new coal mines and coal-fired power plants continue to be constructed in China, raising concerns about the country's commitment to reducing coal consumption.
To promote clean energy sources, China has set ambitious targets for renewable energy and clean-energy capacity. The National Energy Administration (NEA) aims to add "more than 200GW" of clean-energy capacity annually, a significant shift from the previous year's addition of 360GW. China is focusing on sectors like solar power, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, green hydrogen, energy storage, "virtual power plants," and industrial decarbonization based on hydrogen. In 2023, clean energy contributed a record 11.4 trillion yuan ($1.6 trillion) to China's economy, driving economic growth.
China is also scaling up its electricity storage capacity, with a dramatic increase in the construction of pumped hydro storage capacity in the last year. This will help reduce reliance on coal- and gas-fired power plants during peak electricity demand and facilitate the integration of wind and solar power into the grid. Additionally, China plans to increase inter-provincial electricity transmission capacity and long-distance transmission lines, enabling the development of clean energy bases in western regions.
While China has made progress in improving air quality and reducing pollution, there is still a long way to go. The rebound in PM2.5 levels in 2023 after a decade of decline highlights the ongoing challenges in the battle against pollution. China's plans to reduce coal consumption and increase clean energy sources are crucial steps in addressing these challenges and meeting its international climate commitments.
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China's Belt and Road Initiative has been criticised for lacking environmental guidelines
China has been tackling its pollution problem through various measures. In 2013, the country launched an anti-pollution campaign aimed at reducing PM2.5 particulate matter, which is considered the most harmful type of air pollution. This campaign led to a 50% decrease in PM2.5 concentrations by 2019 and contributed to improved air quality during the Covid era from 2020 to 2022. China has also set targets to reduce coal consumption, promote electric vehicles, and increase the use of rail and water transport for freight cargo to reduce emissions.
Despite these efforts, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive infrastructure project aimed at connecting East Asia and Europe, has faced criticism for lacking environmental guidelines. The initiative has expanded to Africa, Oceania, and Latin America, and its economic and political influence has raised concerns among analysts and countries like the United States. Here are some key points regarding the criticism of the BRI:
- Lack of Environmental Guidelines: The BRI has been criticised for lacking clear environmental guidelines, safety standards, and worker protections. The implementation of the BRI relies on the laws of host countries, and there is a risk that Chinese developers will prioritise economic growth over environmental sustainability.
- Environmental Consequences: The BRI projects could have detrimental impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. Many projects in South Asia have been described as environmentally risky, and the increased interconnectivity in Eurasia may disrupt natural environments and threaten plants, animals, and local livelihoods. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) identified numerous Important Bird Areas and Key Biodiversity Areas at risk due to overlap with BRI projects.
- Outsourcing of Unstable Energy Projects: China has been accused of outsourcing unsustainable energy projects to other countries. In addition to coal, China has invested in oil extraction through the Polar Silk Road and the production of cement in BRI countries, contributing to environmental consequences such as excessive sand digging and coastline destruction.
- Predatory Practices: Critics argue that China targets countries with weak oversight and enforcement institutions, leading to irresponsible development practices. This contributes to deforestation, land degradation, and the displacement of local populations. China's position as the biggest producer and exporter of plastic products has also resulted in significant plastic waste pollution.
- Geoeconomic Concerns: Some analysts view the BRI as an extension of China's rising power and a potential debt trap for borrowing governments. The initiative has faced opposition in some Belt and Road countries that have experienced debt crises. The United States, in collaboration with the G7, launched the Build Back Better World Initiative (B3W) as a competing infrastructure investment program.
In summary, while China has made efforts to improve its domestic pollution problem, the Belt and Road Initiative has been criticised for lacking environmental guidelines and contributing to potential environmental degradation, unsustainable practices, and geoeconomic concerns in the regions it affects.
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China's overfishing and operation of mega-dams harm the world's oceans
China has made efforts to combat pollution, particularly in the form of air pollution. In 2013, the country launched an anti-pollution campaign aimed at reducing PM2.5, the most harmful type of particulate matter. This campaign led to a 50% decrease in PM2.5 concentrations between 2013 and 2019, and China continued to improve air quality during the Covid era. However, it is important to note that PM2.5 levels in China still exceed the WHO-recommended threshold, and other pollutants such as ozone remain a concern. China has also taken steps to reduce carbon emissions, such as promoting the use of electric vehicles and increasing the use of rail and water transport for freight cargo.
While China has taken steps to address air pollution, its actions in other areas, such as overfishing and the operation of mega-dams, have negatively impacted the world's oceans and surrounding communities. China has the largest deep-water fishing fleet in the world, with an estimated 200,000 to 800,000 fishing boats, accounting for nearly half of the world's fishing activity. After depleting fish stocks in its coastal waters, China's fishing fleet has expanded into the waters of other nations, including those in East Asia, Latin America, and West Africa. This expansion has led to clashes with other countries, such as Japan and Argentina, and the depletion of fish stocks in these regions. China's fishing practices have also been linked to human rights abuses and the illegal catching of endangered species.
China's mega-dam projects, particularly in the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in Tibet, have also raised concerns. The planned hydroelectric dam in this ecologically sensitive area has sparked fears about environmental impacts and tensions with neighboring countries like India, which fears the potential weaponization of water control. The dam's construction could also have adverse consequences for downstream communities in India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, with potential disruptions to surface water levels and monsoon patterns.
China's overfishing and operation of mega-dams have contributed to the depletion of the world's oceans and rivers, impacting ecosystems, local communities, and geopolitical relations. While China has made progress in addressing air pollution, its actions in these other areas require further attention and sustainable practices to mitigate their harmful effects.
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China's progress in reducing water pollution and improving water quality
China has made notable commitments to reducing water pollution and improving water quality. In 2015, China's State Council issued the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, setting targets for improving water quality by 2030. The National People's Congress also passed major revisions to the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law in 2018, the first update in a decade.
One of the key challenges China faces regarding water pollution is the impact of industrial pollution on its water supply. In 2018, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) reported that 6.9% of surface water in China's river basins was "Below Grade V" quality, meaning it was so polluted that it was unfit for any use. To address this, the MEE announced a five-year plan in 2020 to restrict farming near major rivers to limit water pollution from agricultural runoff. While this plan could significantly reduce water pollution, it is highly ambitious, and authorities may struggle to enforce it.
Another issue is China's operation of mega-dams and alteration of water flow, which has had catastrophic consequences for downstream neighbours. China's fishing practices, including overfishing and illegal fishing, have also negatively impacted the world's oceans and placed increased pressure on global fish stocks. China is also the world's leading generator of plastic waste, with at least 13% of its domestic plastic waste ending up in the environment as pollution.
Despite these challenges, China has made some progress in improving water quality. A significant increase in groundwater monitoring stations contributed to a notable shift in groundwater quality in 2018. China has also promoted the use of electric vehicles and the development of new and clean energy to reduce carbon emissions and improve overall environmental sustainability.
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Frequently asked questions
The sources of pollution in China are complex and varied. They include air pollution from coal combustion, industrial discharges, and vehicle emissions, water pollution from industrial waste and agricultural runoff, soil pollution from heavy metals and solid waste, and marine debris from plastic waste.
Long-term exposure to pollutants in China has been linked to various health risks, including respiratory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Pollution has also contaminated food sources, causing further adverse health effects on human metabolism.
China has implemented various measures to reduce pollution, including stricter public policies, the National Air Quality Action Plan, encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources, switching from coal to natural gas, promoting the use of electric vehicles, and establishing emission reduction targets.
China has made significant progress in reducing pollution, particularly air pollution, which dropped by 41% in the decade through 2022. The average number of days with good air quality has increased, and China now boasts the fastest air quality improvement worldwide. However, challenges remain, especially with water and soil pollution, and pollution levels are still above the World Health Organization's guidelines.
