Kiera Jefferson
China's international trade and production of goods for export contribute significantly to air pollution in the United States. The burning of coal, which accounts for over 60% of China's energy production, is a major contributor to China's air pollution, with less stringent emission controls compared to the United States. This pollution is transported via the atmosphere, affecting air quality in the Western United States, with export-related pollution contributing up to 12-24% of sulfate concentrations. American demand for cheap products manufactured in China also fuels Chinese pollution, with estimates suggesting that exports to the US account for 3-7% of China's emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of China's pollution attributable to trade with the US | 3-7% |
| Percentage of pollution in the Western US attributable to China | 12-24% |
| Percentage of anthropogenic sulfur dioxide emitted in China associated with the production of goods for export | 36% |
| Percentage of nitrogen oxides emitted in China associated with the production of goods for export | 27% |
| Percentage of carbon monoxide emitted in China associated with the production of goods for export | 22% |
| Percentage of black carbon emitted in China associated with the production of goods for export | 17% |
| China's energy intensity per dollar value compared to the US | 58% higher |
| Percentage of China's GDP that comes from goods manufactured for the US | 5% |
| China's position in global mercury emissions | Leading annual emitter |
| China's position in global emissions since 1750 | Produced 210.20 billion tons of CO2 |
| China's position in global electronic waste | Produced 2.3 million tons of e-waste in 2011 |
| China's position in global indoor pollution | Contributed to 300,000 deaths |
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What You'll Learn
US outsourcing of manufacturing to China
China is the world's largest emitter of anthropogenic air pollutants, and its pollution has spread across the Pacific to the United States. A study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that a significant amount of the air pollution in the Western United States could be traced back to China. This is due to the combined effects of changes in emissions and atmospheric transport as a result of the US outsourcing manufacturing to China.
The US outsourcing of manufacturing to China has had complex effects on pollution in both countries. On the one hand, the production of goods for export contributes to China's air pollution emissions. For example, in 2006, 36% of anthropogenic sulfur dioxide, 27% of nitrogen oxides, 22% of carbon monoxide, and 17% of black carbon emitted in China were associated with the production of goods for export. On the other hand, the outsourcing of manufacturing to China may have reduced air pollution in the Eastern United States while increasing it in the Western United States.
The US demand for cheap products has fueled China's pollution. American companies have been attracted to China's large workforce and low wages, which has led to the outsourcing of manufacturing to China. This has had economic impacts in the United States, with the growing trade deficit with China costing 3.2 million jobs between 2001 and 2013, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
The outsourcing of manufacturing to China has also had environmental implications for the United States. The production of goods in China for export to the United States contributes to air pollution that spreads across the Pacific, affecting air quality in the Western United States. This pollution is transported via the atmosphere, with simulations showing that prevailing winds known as Westerlies carry particulate matter from China into US airspace.
While the US outsourcing of manufacturing to China has contributed to China's pollution and had economic and environmental impacts in the United States, it is important to note that China has also been a major consumer of American products. Trade between the two countries is complex and has evolved over time, with China moving beyond the simple manufacturing of textiles to produce complex products such as automobiles, machinery, and electronics.
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Chinese air pollution from exports to the US
China is the world's largest emitter of anthropogenic air pollutants, and a significant amount of these pollutants are transported via the atmosphere to other countries, including the United States. The movement of air pollutants associated with the production of goods in China for export to the American market has resulted in a decline in air quality in the Western United States.
A study by UC Irvine and other researchers, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that Chinese air pollution blowing across the Pacific Ocean is caused by the manufacturing of goods for export to the US and Europe. The study is the first to quantify how much of the pollution reaching the American West Coast is from the production in China of cellphones, televisions, and other consumer items imported to the US. The study also found that Los Angeles experiences at least one extra day a year of smog that exceeds federal ozone limits because of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide emitted by Chinese factories making goods for export.
According to the study, international trade affects global air pollution by redistributing emissions related to the production of goods and services and potentially altering the total amount of global emissions. The study found that in 2006, 36% of anthropogenic sulfur dioxide, 27% of nitrogen oxides, 22% of carbon monoxide, and 17% of black carbon emitted in China were associated with the production of goods for export. For each of these pollutants, about 21% of export-related Chinese emissions were attributed to China-to-US exports. Atmospheric modelling shows that the transport of export-related Chinese pollution contributed 3–10% of annual mean surface sulfate concentrations and 0.5–1.5% of ozone over the western United States in 2006.
The study authors suggest that the findings could be used to more effectively negotiate clean-air treaties and that international cooperation to reduce transboundary transport of air pollution must address the question of who is responsible for emissions in one country during the production of goods to support consumption in another.
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American demand for cheap products
China is the world's largest emitter of anthropogenic air pollutants, and its manufacturing sector plays a significant role in this. The country's business ecosystem, which includes a vast network of suppliers, component manufacturers, and distributors, has made it a highly efficient and cost-effective hub for production.
A combination of factors, including low labor costs, a large labor pool, a strong business ecosystem, lax commercial regulations, low taxes and duties, and competitive currency practices, have made China the "world's factory." American companies across various industries, from electronics to fashion, rely heavily on Chinese manufacturing to keep costs low and profit margins high.
American consumers' demand for cheap products fuels Chinese pollution. The outsourcing of manufacturing to China has led to a redistribution of emissions related to the production of goods. While it may have improved air quality in some parts of the US, it has also contributed to the spread of Chinese air pollution across the Pacific, affecting Western US states significantly.
The availability of cheap labor in China has been a critical factor in attracting American businesses. Cultural norms, such as long working hours and specialization in specific industries, have contributed to a skilled and specialized workforce. China's position as a world leader in industrial tools also enables its factories to be highly responsive to customization demands and design requirements.
However, the reliance on Chinese manufacturing has led to concerns about the environmental impact of this outsourcing. Studies have shown that a significant proportion of China's air pollution is associated with the production of goods for export, and American consumers buy a large proportion of these manufactured goods. This demand for inexpensive products contributes to the pollution generated in China, which then spreads across the Pacific, affecting air quality in the US.
The complex dynamics of international trade and the interconnectedness of economies have led to a situation where American consumers' demand for affordable goods contributes to pollution in China, which, in turn, affects the environment in both China and the United States.
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Chinese energy intensity
Energy intensity is a metric that measures the amount of energy consumed per unit of gross domestic product (GDP). It reflects a country's energy efficiency in producing a given amount of economic output. A lower energy intensity means a country needs less energy per unit of GDP. China's energy intensity has improved significantly over the past few decades. Between 1990 and 2020, China's energy use per unit of GDP decreased by approximately 75%. This improvement is due to structural changes in the economy, such as the growth of the services and light industry sectors, as well as regulation-induced energy efficiency improvements. The Chinese government has consistently included energy intensity goals in its Five-Year Plans since the 1980s. For example, the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010) aimed to reduce energy intensity by 20% below 2005 levels by 2010, and the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) targeted a 16% reduction. These targets were mostly achieved. The industrial sector has seen the greatest energy savings, largely due to government mandates, energy appliance standards, and the work of energy service companies (ESCOs).
China's energy intensity improvements have positively impacted its energy consumption and emissions of heat-trapping gases. However, China's production of goods for export, driven in part by American demand, has contributed to air pollution in the United States. Studies have shown that Chinese air pollution associated with exports can account for up to 12-24% of sulfate pollution over the western United States. In 2006, 36% of anthropogenic sulfur dioxide, 27% of nitrogen oxides, 22% of carbon monoxide, and 17% of black carbon emitted in China were linked to the production of goods for export. This pollution spreads across the Pacific to the US, affecting air quality in the western states. Thus, while China has made strides in reducing its energy intensity and overall emissions, the production of goods for export, influenced by American consumer demand, contributes to air pollution in the US.
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Chinese coal intensity
China is the largest producer and consumer of coal and coal power in the world, with approximately 4.8 billion tons of coal produced per year, more than half of the global total. In 2024, coal accounted for approximately 59% of China's electricity generation, with wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear contributing most of the remainder. China's coal consumption is closely linked to the country's industrialization and economic growth, with energy-intensive industries driving economic recovery.
China's coal-fired power plants operated an average of 4448 hours in 2021 and 4216 hours in 2020, roughly half of the 8760-hour theoretical maximum. The overcapacity in China's coal-fired power plants is due in part to a 2014 central government decision to transfer approval authority for plants to the provincial level. Local authorities keep the plants online to maintain system reliability. China's coal consumption and production have significant environmental implications, with more than 20% of global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels attributed to coal combustion in China annually over the past decade.
China's emission intensity, or emissions relative to economic output, is higher than the world average. The power sector alone accounts for 44% of China's CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Extreme heat events further elevate pollution intensity by increasing energy demand, reducing energy efficiency, and amplifying coal consumption.
The impact of Chinese coal consumption extends beyond China's borders. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that Chinese air pollution related to production for exports contributes up to 24% of sulfate pollution over the western United States. This pollution is transported across the Pacific by prevailing winds, known as Westerlies. Thus, while American demand for cheap products fuels Chinese pollution, the emissions also affect air quality in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a 2006 study, 36% of anthropogenic sulfur dioxide, 27% of nitrogen oxides, 22% of carbon monoxide, and 17% of black carbon emitted in China were associated with the production of goods for export. While it is not clear what proportion of these exports were destined for the US, estimates suggest that exports to the US account for 3-7% of China's emissions of various pollutants.
Measurable amounts of Chinese pollution are transported via the atmosphere to the US. In the Western US, Chinese pollution contributes up to 12-24% of sulfate pollution.
China's energy sector is primarily reliant on coal, which produces more pollutants than other forms of energy generation. Coal accounts for 70% of total energy consumption and is responsible for the majority of air pollution in China.
The US outsources manufacturing to China, which has led to a reduction in US emissions but an increase in Chinese pollution. This has resulted in a net decrease in air pollution over the Eastern US and a simultaneous increase in the Western US.
China is a signatory to the Stockholm Convention, a treaty to control and phase out major persistent organic pollutants. China has also implemented bans on "white pollution" and taken measures to address lead poisoning from battery factories.
