Brian Barton
China's pollution problem is a well-known issue, with the country facing various forms of environmental degradation, including air, water, and soil pollution. The country's rapid industrialization and economic growth have lifted millions out of poverty, but they have also contributed to immense pollution levels. China is the world's leading annual emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury, and its energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have increased by over 80% between 2005 and 2019. The country's pollution has severe health implications, with an estimated 1.24 million people dying from air pollution in 2017, and about 4,000 people dying daily from pollution-related causes. China has implemented policies to combat pollution, such as the 2013 Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, and has taken steps to limit air pollution from coal burning. However, the country faces a challenging balance between economic growth and environmental protection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of vehicles in China in 2020 | 360 million |
| Vehicle emissions blamed for Beijing's air pollution in 2018 | 45% |
| Vehicle emissions blamed for Shanghai's air pollution in 2018 | 30% |
| China's share of energy consumption from coal in 2019 | 57.7% |
| China's share of energy consumption from coal in 1990 | 76.2% |
| China's electronic waste production in 2011 | 2.3 million tons |
| China's position among the world's most air-polluted cities in 2013 | 7 out of 10 |
| China's position as the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide | 1st |
| Number of deaths in China due to air pollution in 2017 | 1.24 million |
| Number of deaths in China due to air pollution since 2000 | 30 million |
| China's excess particulate pollution compared to the most polluted county in the US | 40% |
| China's population living in areas exceeding the national standard of 35 µg/m³ | 30.9% |
| China's population living in areas exceeding the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ | 99.9% |
| Loss in life expectancy for the average Chinese resident due to air pollution | 2.3 years |
| Loss in life expectancy for the average resident of Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province | 4.3 years |
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What You'll Learn
The leading global emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury
China's rapid industrialization has resulted in intense levels of air pollution, causing serious social, economic, and political problems. The country has implemented several policies to combat this issue, including the 2013 Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, which recognized coal as a key driver of air pollution and placed caps on its consumption. China is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually and leads the world in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, coal use, and the deployment and manufacture of low-carbon technologies. In 2020, China emitted 12.3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2e), amounting to 27% of global greenhouse gas emissions. China's per capita emissions are over 10.1 tonnes of CO2eq emitted per person each year, higher than the world average and the EU average.
China's greenhouse gas emissions stem mainly from coal burning, with coal power, coal mining, and blast furnaces producing iron and steel. In 2023, China emitted over 12.6 gigatonnes (Gt) CO2eq of greenhouse gases, 35% of the world total. Chinese state coal production alone accounts for 14% of historical global emissions, and the country is home to half of the world's coal power plants. In 1990, 76.2% of all energy consumed in China was generated by coal, and while this figure has decreased over time, coal still accounted for 57.7% of China's energy consumption in 2019. China is also the world's largest emitter of methane from coal mines, producing over 14% of global methane emissions.
In addition to coal, other sources contribute significantly to China's air pollution. The total number of vehicles in China reached 360 million in 2020, with vehicle emissions blamed for about 45% of Beijing's air pollution that year. China's emissions from the transport sector have been growing fast in recent years, with an average annual growth rate of 5% between 2012 and 2021. By 2022, China had 417 million registered motor vehicles, a significant increase from 5.5 million in 1990.
China has also been working to reduce its mercury emissions. According to computer simulations, climate policies in line with the Paris Agreement and the Minamata Convention could help China reduce mercury pollution. By implementing policies to peak CO2 emissions by 2030, China could cut an additional 40 metric tons of mercury emissions in that year compared to mercury controls alone.
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Water pollution: 90% of freshwater contaminated
China's water resources are affected by severe water shortages, a growing population, rapid economic development, and lax environmental oversight, which have led to increased water demand and pollution. The country's extraordinary economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization, coupled with inadequate investment in basic water supply and treatment infrastructure, have resulted in widespread water pollution. Continuous emissions from manufacturing are the largest contributor to the decline in drinking water quality, but other factors include the introduction of poorly treated sewage, industrial spills, and the extensive use of agricultural fertilizers and pesticides.
According to a 2006 article by the Chinese Embassy in the UK, approximately 300 million people in China lack access to clean water. Almost 90% of underground water in cities is polluted, as well as 70% of China's rivers and lakes. The Haihe River, which flows through Beijing and Tianjin, is said to be "badly polluted". The Yellow River, one of the world's longest waterways, has also suffered severe pollution, with one-third of the river rendered unusable even for agricultural or industrial purposes.
The Chinese government has implemented various measures to address water pollution and scarcity issues. The Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Water Pollution was introduced in 2015 to strengthen the prevention and control of water pollution and ensure drinking water safety. All provinces, cities, and counties have also implemented water protection measures based on their specific conditions and pollution levels. The Ministry of Ecological Environment and the Ministry of Water Resources are responsible for monitoring the quantity and quality of water, including surface water, groundwater, and seawater resources.
Despite these efforts, water pollution remains a significant challenge in China. The impact of inadequate water quality on water scarcity is complex and requires further analysis. The country's rapid development and expanding economy have led to the emergence of new contaminants, attracting widespread public attention. China's water environment situation has become increasingly complex, and water safety has emerged as one of the critical public health issues.
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Air pollution: 1.6 million deaths annually
Air pollution is a leading cause of death, with an estimated 7 million deaths linked to it annually. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 7 million people die each year from air pollution, making it a significant global health concern.
In China, air pollution has had devastating effects on both its citizens and the world. The People's Republic of China (PRC) is the world's largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury. This air pollution has severe consequences for the health of Chinese citizens and the global economy. According to a study published in the medical journal The Lancet, an estimated 1.24 million people in the PRC died from exposure to air pollution in 2017. Since 2000, the number of deaths attributed to air pollution in the PRC has exceeded 30 million, as reported by New Scientist magazine.
The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) disregard for environmental protection and repression of civil society and a free press have slowed down necessary changes. However, due to the efforts of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, which began monitoring and publicly disclosing air quality data in 2008, China has been pushed to prioritize air quality improvement. Despite significant progress in large cities, the overall level of air pollution in China remains a health hazard and continues to impact downwind countries.
The impact of air pollution on human health is evident in various studies. The Harvard Six Cities Study found a correlation between particulate matter and mortality due to lung cancer and cardiopulmonary disease in several U.S. cities. Additionally, the American Cancer Society Study consistently reported associations between particulates and mortality over an extended period. These studies highlight the deadly consequences of air pollution, emphasizing the urgent need for improved air quality standards and environmental practices.
To summarize, air pollution is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. With an estimated 1.6 million deaths annually in China alone, it is evident that air pollution has a devastating impact on human lives and the global economy. Addressing this issue requires a collective effort to implement effective environmental protection measures and reduce emissions, especially in major polluting countries like China.
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Soil pollution: 10% of cultivable land affected
China's soil pollution is much worse than previously thought. Population growth and industrialization since the 1980s have resulted in increased soil pollution. China's soil pollution poses a threat to the environment, food safety, and sustainable agriculture.
Around 38,610 square miles (100,000 square kilometres) of China's cultivated land has been polluted, with contaminated water being used to irrigate a further 31,500 square miles (21,670 square kilometres). Another 2 million square miles (1,300 square kilometres) have been covered or destroyed by solid waste. The affected area accounts for one-tenth of China's cultivable land. An estimated 6 million tonnes of food grain are contaminated by heavy metals every year, causing direct losses of 29 billion yuan (US$2.57 billion).
Official estimates say that China produces 12 million tons of heavy-metal-contaminated grain a year, with an economic cost of more than $3.2 billion. In 2011, Wang Bentai, then chief engineer of the State Environmental Protection Agency (now the Ministry of Environmental Protection), put lead, zinc, and other heavy metal pollution at 10% of China’s arable land. A report released in April 2014 revealed that about 16.1% of China’s soil and about 19.4% of farmland were contaminated.
The Chinese government has implemented measures to combat soil pollution, such as the Soil Contamination Prevention and Control Action Plan, commonly known as the Soil Ten-Point Plan. The nation's first specific national law on soil pollution prevention and control is also being drafted.
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Economic growth vs environmental protection
China's strong economic growth has been based on investment and export-oriented manufacturing, an approach that has led to economic, social, and environmental imbalances. Since China began to open up and reform its economy in 1978, GDP growth has averaged almost 10% per year, and more than 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty. However, this rapid economic growth has come at a cost to the environment. China is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and many of its cities have severe air pollution. Various forms of pollution have increased following the industrialization of China, causing widespread environmental and health problems.
China's per capita emissions correspond to over 10.1 tonnes of CO2eq emitted per person each year, which is higher than the world and EU averages. China's carbon dioxide emissions in 2006 amounted to 6.2 billion tons, compared to 5.8 billion tons in the United States. In 2020, China produced 64%-66% of global emissions of the greenhouse gases tetrafluoromethane and hexafluoroethane. In 2023, China produced 35% of global CO2 emissions, according to the International Energy Agency.
The Chinese government has recognized the urgency of environmental protection and is taking steps to address the issue. The 13th Five-Year Plan, published in 2016, set specific environmental and productivity goals, including peak goals for carbon emissions, energy use, and water use. China has also committed to peaking emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. To achieve these goals, China is encouraging more productive, self-sufficient, renewable, and creative energy production and consumption. The country is also working with the World Bank Group to address remaining development challenges, including the transition to more environmentally sustainable growth.
At the local level, there have been some successes in tackling pollution. For example, in the city of Tianjin, 38,000 tons of electronic waste were disposed of properly in 2010. A ban on free plastic bags in supermarkets, department stores, and shops throughout China in 2008 also led to a 10% reduction in plastic bag waste. Regional collaborative governance has been shown to reduce air pollution by increasing environmental regulation intensity, improving environmental governance efficiency, and promoting environmental protection technology.
Overall, China faces a challenging task in balancing economic growth with environmental protection. Achieving a "win-win" situation requires meeting the needs of economic development with minimal environmental costs. This involves decoupling economic development from environmental damage, which means reducing environmental pressure while maintaining economic growth. China's massive pollution emissions may exceed its ecological carrying capacity, so it is crucial for the country to alter its current economic growth trajectory and build a green manufacturing process to achieve sustainable development.
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Frequently asked questions
China is the world's leading annual emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury. In 2013, the US Embassy in Beijing recorded an AQI of over 755, which is significantly higher than the World Health Organization's guideline of 5 µg/m³. China's rapid industrialization and population growth have contributed to intense levels of air pollution, causing serious health, social, economic, and political problems.
The health impacts of China's pollution are significant. According to a 2015 study, approximately 1.6 million people in China die each year from heart, lung, and stroke problems due to polluted air. Another study estimated that 1.24 million people died from air pollution in 2017. Particulate pollution is among the five greatest threats to human health in China, reducing the average life expectancy by 2.3 to 2.5 years.
China has implemented several policies to combat pollution, including the 2013 Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, which targeted coal consumption. The country has also introduced bans on plastic bags and taken steps to limit air pollution from coal-burning industries. In addition, China has set goals for lowering PM2.5 levels and reducing coal's share of total energy consumption. Despite these efforts, critics argue that more needs to be done to balance economic growth with environmental and social welfare.
