Air Pollution's Epicenter: China's Contribution To Global Smog

China is one of the greatest emitters of air pollution in the world, and its air quality is a major public health issue. The country's rapid economic growth and industrialization have resulted in immense environmental degradation, with air pollution causing about 2 million deaths in China annually. While China has made progress in reducing pollution in recent years, the immense urban growth of its cities and the increasing demand for consumer goods, vehicles, and energy continue to drive up air pollution levels.

China's air pollution is a major public health issue

The unprecedented growth and development in China have come at a substantial environmental cost, threatening public health. Air pollution is responsible for about 2 million deaths in China annually. Of these deaths, ambient air pollution alone causes more than 1 million deaths, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies causes another million deaths. The Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning estimated in 2003 that 300,000 people die each year from ambient air pollution, mostly from heart disease and lung cancer.

The immense urban growth of Chinese cities has substantially increased the need for consumer goods, vehicles, and energy, resulting in increased burning of fossil fuels and smog. A 2012 study found that fine particles in the air, which cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, were key pollutants that significantly damaged the health of Chinese citizens. The water resources of China are also affected by severe water shortages and pollution, further exacerbating the public health crisis.

China has made significant progress in reducing air pollution in recent years. An anti-pollution campaign launched in 2013 focused on controlling PM2.5, deemed the most harmful particulate matter. As a result, the average PM2.5 concentration dropped by 50% from 2013 to 2019. China now boasts the fastest air quality improvement worldwide, and its success in reducing pollution has contributed to the decline in global pollution levels.

However, it is important to note that China's air quality improvements are recent, and the country still faces an unprecedented environmental health crisis. While the average number of days with good air quality in 339 major Chinese cities reached 316 in 2022, the PM2.5 concentration of 29 μg/m³ is still double the WHO standard of 5 μg/m³. Additionally, after a decade of decline since 2013, overall PM2.5 levels in China rebounded for the first time in 2023, increasing in 80% of provincial capitals. Therefore, while China has made strides in addressing its air pollution crisis, continued efforts and strategies are necessary to ensure sustainable improvements.

The burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, is a large contributor

China's rapid economic growth has lifted millions of people out of poverty, but it has also resulted in immense environmental degradation. China's growth has been powered by coal, a cheap and abundant energy source. However, coal is also highly polluting, and China burns more coal than the rest of the world combined. As a result, China emits almost a third of all man-made greenhouse gases, more than the United States, Europe, and Japan combined.

The health effects of coal combustion are severe. A study by the Health Effects Institute found that unhealthy levels of PM2.5, fine particles in the air that cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, led to roughly 1.42 million premature deaths in China in 2019. Household air pollution from burning solid fuels, including coal, resulted in an additional 363,000 deaths that year. A joint 2016 study by the Health Effects Institute and Tsinghua University found that coal-generated pollution was the most important contributor to ambient PM2.5 pollution in China, with premature deaths resulting from coal-burning totaling 366,000 in 2013.

China has made some progress in reducing its dependence on coal and improving air quality. In 2016, only 84 out of 338 prefecture-level cities attained the national standard for air quality. However, by 2018, those same 338 cities enjoyed good air quality on 79% of days. China is also the world's dominant manufacturer and user of solar panels and wind turbines, and it has committed to peaking its carbon emissions by 2030 and increasing the share of non-fossil fuels used to 20% of total consumption by 2030.

However, China's addiction to coal is likely to endure for years, if not decades. China has accelerated mining and the construction of coal-fired power plants, and its emissions of energy-related greenhouse gases rose last year at the fastest pace in a decade. China's abundant coal reserves allow it to avoid becoming overly dependent on foreign energy suppliers, and coal is still the cheapest form of energy available. As a result, China's coal-powered industries will continue to be a major source of pollution and carbon emissions.

Vehicle emissions are a major cause of air pollution in Chinese cities

Air pollution in China is a pressing issue, causing around 2 million deaths per year. The country has made some progress in reducing pollution, but it remains a significant problem, impacting the quality of life and the economy. The sources of air pollution in China are diverse, including industry, transportation, coal power plants, and household fuel usage. Among these, vehicle emissions have emerged as a major contributor, particularly in large cities.

The rapid economic development in China has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of vehicles on the road. In 2013, the total number of on-road vehicles in China consumed 95 million tons of gasoline and 172 million tons of diesel. By 2020, the total number of vehicles in the country had reached 360 million, with annual sales increasing from 13.64 million in 2009 to 28 million in 2016. This rapid growth in vehicle ownership has had a significant impact on air quality, especially in urban areas.

Vehicle emissions are a critical factor in air pollution in Chinese cities due to the combustion of gasoline and diesel fuel in engines. This process releases harmful chemical emissions, including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). The high levels of NO2 in the troposphere over China, exceeding those in the USA and most European countries, highlight the severity of the issue.

The impact of vehicle emissions on air quality varies across Chinese cities. In Beijing, vehicle emissions were responsible for about 45% of the city's air pollution in 2018, while in Shanghai, they contributed to nearly 30% of the total air pollution. The dense concentration of vehicles in these large cities exacerbates the problem, leading to higher levels of exhaust fumes. Similar patterns can be observed internationally, as evidenced by Lahore, Pakistan, where vehicle emissions caused 43% of the city's smog in 2019.

To address the issue of vehicle emissions, the Chinese government has implemented measures such as the China VI standards, which mandate improved filtering systems for trapping exhaust gases. However, the enforcement of such standards can be challenging, as seen in previous efforts. The complex interplay between economic development, motorization, and pollution presents a delicate balance for China to navigate. Nevertheless, the recognition of the problem and the gradual implementation of long-term solutions offer some hope for mitigating the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality in Chinese cities.

Population growth and industrialisation have increased air pollution

China is the world's largest emitter of anthropogenic air pollutants, and its economic growth has been powered largely by coal, a cheap but highly polluting source of energy. In 1990, 76.2% of all energy consumed in China was generated by coal, and although this figure has decreased over time, coal still accounted for 57.7% of China's energy consumption in 2019. The burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, has led to increased emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), black carbon (BC), and primary organic carbon (OC). The immense urban growth of Chinese cities has also increased the need for consumer goods, vehicles, and energy, further contributing to the burning of fossil fuels and the resulting smog, which poses significant health risks to Chinese citizens.

Population growth in China has also played a significant role in increasing air pollution. The immense population growth in the People's Republic of China since the 1980s has resulted in increased soil pollution and a higher demand for water, leading to the contamination of water sources. According to the State Environmental Protection Administration, this poses a threat to the environment, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the use of coal by households, especially in rural areas, significantly contributes to air pollution, as emissions from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies are often less filtered.

To address these issues, China has made several commitments to reducing pollution and combating climate change. For example, in the 2015 Paris Agreement, China pledged to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and increase the share of non-fossil fuels used to 20% by the same year. In 2020, President Xi Jinping announced that China aims to be carbon neutral by 2060. While China has made progress in reducing air pollution, it continues to face challenges in balancing economic growth with the social and environmental well-being of its citizens.

China's air pollution has also had an impact beyond its borders. Due to international trade and atmospheric transport, measurable amounts of Chinese pollution have been detected in other countries, including the United States. This transboundary pollution has contributed to noncompliance with air quality standards in certain regions of the US and has highlighted the importance of international efforts to reduce the impact of air pollution on a global scale.

China is making progress in reducing air pollution

China's rapid economic growth has resulted in immense environmental degradation, with air pollution being a major public health issue. The burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, has been a significant contributor to poor air quality, causing people in northern China to die, on average, 5.5 years sooner than they would have otherwise.

However, China is making progress in reducing air pollution and has implemented various measures to tackle this issue. In 2013, China introduced an Air Pollution Action Plan, its most influential environmental policy at the time, which helped reduce PM2.5 levels (atmospheric particulate matter) significantly in Beijing and the Pearl River Delta. This was followed by another action plan in 2018, the "Three-year Action Plan for Winning the Blue Sky War", which applied to all cities in China and targeted further reductions in PM2.5 levels and other pollutants.

China has also taken steps to reduce emissions from vehicles, a major source of air pollution in larger cities. The country has tightened rules governing vehicle exhausts, leading to a substantial drop in sulphate emissions. In addition, China has made progress in increasing its forest cover, which helps to reduce air pollution.

The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in improving air quality in China, as lockdown measures resulted in reduced industrial and economic activities, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions. While emissions are expected to rise again, China's efforts have laid the groundwork for potential gains in life expectancy.

Furthermore, China has established a national carbon market to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to air pollution. This market incentivizes carbon-intensive firms to buy carbon quotas or cut energy use, while low-carbon firms can profit by selling their unused quotas.

Despite these improvements, China still has a long way to go in terms of air quality. The national average PM2.5 level remains significantly higher than the World Health Organization's guidelines, and pollution in major cities like Beijing continues to be a concern. Nonetheless, China's progress in reducing air pollution is evident, and it is hoped that these efforts will lead to further improvements in the country's air quality and the health of its citizens.

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