China's Pollution Problem: How Much Is Too Much?

China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the largest source of marine debris, and the worst perpetrator of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. In 2022, China accounted for 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and its share of annual emissions has doubled over the past two decades due to rapid industrialization and economic growth. China's emissions more than tripled over the previous three decades, and its emissions per person are still far behind those of the US but have tripled over the course of two decades. China's energy production is heavily reliant on coal, with more than half of the world's coal plants located in the country. China is also the biggest producer and exporter of plastic products, with at least 13% of its domestic plastic waste directly dumped into the environment, translating into millions of tons of pollution each year. China's environmental policies and projects have also negatively impacted other countries, with a recent incident involving a Chinese-owned mine in Zambia causing an acidic waste spill that contaminated a major river, threatening both people and wildlife.

China's pollution in the US

China's pollution has had a significant impact on the environment and health of its citizens, and its effects have also reached other parts of the world, including the United States. The industrialisation and rapid economic growth in China have led to an increase in various forms of pollution, causing widespread environmental and health issues. The country's production of goods for export has expanded significantly, contributing to the emission of air pollutants that reach beyond its borders.

China's manufacturing and industrial activities have resulted in the emission of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and black carbon. These emissions have contributed to the formation of smog and acid rain, affecting not only Chinese cities but also neighbouring countries. The impact of China's pollution on the US has been particularly notable in the western region, where it has been estimated that Chinese air pollution related to production for exports contributes up to 12-24% of sulfate pollution. This has resulted in an extra day of smog per year in Los Angeles, exceeding federal health standards.

The outsourcing of manufacturing to China by the US and other countries has had a complex effect on air quality. While it has led to a reduction in emissions in the eastern US due to decreased local industrial activities, the increased transport of goods from China has resulted in higher pollution levels in the western US. This phenomenon, driven by international trade and the production of goods for export, has redistributed emissions and altered global emission patterns.

China's pollution problem is not limited to air quality issues. The country also faces challenges with water pollution and soil contamination. The rapid population growth and economic development have increased water demand and pollution levels, with similar concerns extending to soil pollution, which poses a threat to food safety and sustainable agriculture. China has recognised the severity of its pollution issues and has made efforts to address them, declaring a “war against pollution" in 2014.

It is important to acknowledge that while China's pollution has had a measurable impact on the US, particularly in the western region, the US has also contributed to global pollution through its emissions and consumption patterns. Addressing transboundary pollution and working towards sustainable solutions requires a collaborative effort between nations, emphasising the shared responsibility for the health of the planet and its inhabitants.

China's coal-burning power plants

In the first half of 2023, construction began on 37 gigawatts (GW) of new coal power capacity, with 52 GW permitted and 41 GW of new projects announced. This means that China now has 243 GW of coal power under construction or permitted, and this number rises to 392 GW when including projects in the preparation stage. As a result, China's coal power capacity could increase by 23-33% from 2022 levels, leading to a significant rise in emissions.

The Chinese government has acknowledged the need to reduce its reliance on coal and has set goals for peak emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. However, the current expansion of coal power plants may hinder these goals unless there are subsequent cancellations of permitted projects or early retirement of existing plants.

The impact of China's coal-burning power plants extends beyond its borders. Studies have shown that measurable amounts of Chinese air pollution are transported via the atmosphere to other countries, including the United States. Outsourcing manufacturing to China has led to increased sulfate pollution in the western United States, contributing 12-24% of daily sulfate pollution in the region. China's production of goods for export has been a key driver of its economic growth, but it has also resulted in increased emissions and air pollution.

To address the issue of coal-burning power plants, China has been working to increase its nuclear power capacity. Nuclear power is seen as a cleaner alternative that can help reduce air pollution from coal-fired plants. However, the success of these efforts depends on various factors, including the retirement of existing coal plants and the development of a more integrated nationwide power market.

China's plastic waste

China is the world's largest producer, consumer, and manufacturer of plastics. It consumes at least one-fifth of the world's plastics and produces about 60 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which only about 16 million tonnes are recycled. China's plastic waste generation is projected to increase, with the country producing 80.1 million tons in 2021.

China has also introduced policies to reduce plastic waste domestically. In 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued the "Opinions on Further Strengthening the Prevention and Control of Plastic Pollution," aiming to phase out non-degradable plastics and improve the production, consumption, recycling, and disposal mechanisms for plastic products. Additionally, China launched a five-year action plan in 2021 to phase out single-use plastics and promote alternatives and recycling.

While China's efforts to tackle plastic waste are ongoing, the country's focus has primarily been on the downstream part of the plastic lifecycle, such as cleanup and recycling, rather than addressing the upstream issues, including the prodigious production of plastics. China's plastic waste management strategies are part of a broader context of transitioning to a circular economy, improving solid waste management, and investing in pertinent infrastructure.

China's air pollution

One of the most concerning aspects of China's air pollution is the fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, which is deemed the most harmful. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), China's air pollution is responsible for about 2 million deaths annually. Of these, ambient air pollution, including PM2.5, accounts for more than 1 million deaths. The Global Burden of Disease study found that ambient PM2.5 pollution caused approximately 1.4 million premature deaths in China in 2019 alone. The Chinese Ministry of Health has also acknowledged the deadly impact of industrial pollution, stating that cancer is now the leading cause of death in the country.

The dense population in Chinese cities, coupled with the increased demand for consumer goods, vehicles, and energy, has resulted in a surge in the burning of fossil fuels, leading to smog. This smog poses a direct threat to the health of Chinese citizens, as fine particles in the air contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. A study from 2012 highlighted the detrimental effects of these particles, which account for a large fraction of the health damage experienced by the population.

Despite these challenges, China has made notable progress in its war against pollution. Since 2014, the country has witnessed a 41% decrease in fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) compared to 2013 levels. This improvement has resulted in a potential gain of 2 years in the average life expectancy of Chinese citizens. Additionally, China aims to effectively eliminate severe air pollution by the end of 2025, with authorities ramping up efforts in pollution control and emissions reduction.

In conclusion, China's air pollution has had devastating impacts on its population's health and the environment, but the country's recent efforts to combat this issue provide a glimmer of hope for the future.

China's pollution in other countries

China's pollution problem is well-documented, with the country facing issues of air, water, and soil contamination. The pollution has had severe consequences for the health and livelihoods of China's 1.4 billion people, and it also impacts other countries.

China's pollution has spread internationally, with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions falling as acid rain on Seoul in South Korea, and Tokyo, Japan. According to the Journal of Geophysical Research, this pollution even reaches Los Angeles in the US. Traces of smog from mainland China have been observed as far away as California, and a 2012 study showed that fine particles in the air, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues, were key pollutants that damaged the health of Chinese citizens.

The US outsourcing of manufacturing to China has impacted air quality in the US. A study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that Chinese air pollution related to production for exports contributes, at a maximum on a daily basis, 12-24% of sulfate pollution over the western United States. This reflects the competing effect between enhanced transport of Chinese pollution and reduced US emissions. The study also noted that measurable amounts of Chinese pollution are transported via the atmosphere to other countries, including the US.

China's emissions have decreased in recent years, with the country announcing a ""war against pollution" in 2014. By 2022, pollution levels were down by 41% compared to 2013. This has had a positive impact on the life expectancy of Chinese citizens, who can now expect to live 2 years longer compared to 2013, provided these reductions are sustained.

However, China still faces significant environmental challenges. As the world's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, China's carbon-intensive industries have caused water scarcity and soil contamination. The immense population growth and rapid industrialization have resulted in increased soil pollution, threatening the environment, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. China's first comprehensive law to prevent soil pollution took effect in 2019, requiring polluters to limit their output or pay for contamination.

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