Kiera Jefferson
China's rapid industrialization has resulted in severe environmental issues, particularly air, water, and soil pollution, posing significant health and environmental risks. The Chinese government has responded with various initiatives, such as the Air Pollution Action Plan, the Three-Year Action Plan, and investments in pollution treatment. These efforts have shown progress, with reductions in pollution levels and associated health risks, but challenges remain, including plastic waste, mercury emissions, and the lack of clear environmental guidelines in some projects. Protecting against pollution in China is crucial for the country's sustainable development and the well-being of its citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution control policies | The early policies, until 2005, were ineffective at reducing emissions. |
| During 2006–2012, new instruments were introduced in the 11th Five-Year Plan, and the national goal of reducing total sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions by 10% was achieved. | |
| After the winter-long PM2.5 episode in eastern China in 2013, air pollution control policies have been experiencing significant changes. | |
| In 2018, China introduced its Three-year Action Plan for Winning the Blue Sky War, mandating an 18% reduction in PM2.5 levels in 231 cities. | |
| China's environmental policy system consists of five series of policies: environmental laws, rules and standards; national plans in the FYP framework; ten specific regulatory measures; special actions outside the FYP framework; and environment-related state ideologies. | |
| Water pollution control | COD can effectively determine the level of pollutants in the water, and TP is used to prevent eutrophication (algal bloom) in freshwater. |
| The wastewater treatment industry has boomed to prevent eutrophication and meet the demand of urbanisation. | |
| The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development is the government body in charge of wastewater treatment. | |
| The Law of Prevention and Control of Water Pollution and Environmental Protection Law requires sewage prevention and treatment. | |
| Soil pollution | 38,610 square miles (100,000 km2) of China's cultivated land has been polluted, and another 2 million square miles (1,300 km2) have been covered or destroyed by solid waste. |
| Mercury pollution | China leads the world in mercury air pollution from its coal-burning power plants and those it finances, builds, and operates in other countries. |
| Plastic pollution | China is the biggest producer and exporter of plastic products, accounting for nearly 30% of the world's total. |
| At least 13% of China's domestic plastic waste is unmanaged and dumped directly into the environment. | |
| Medical waste management | China has been involved in projects to improve medical waste management in other countries, such as Nepal's Narayani Hospital. |
| Industrial pollution | All new and renovated projects are required to have their pollution-treating installations designed, built, and operated simultaneously with the main project. |
| Population growth | The immense population growth in China since the 1980s has contributed to increased soil pollution and environmental issues. |
| Forest cover | According to the World Bank, China is rapidly increasing its forest cover and reducing air and water pollution. |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce air pollution
China has been taking steps to reduce air pollution, which has been a serious issue in the country for several years. The country has gained a reputation for being one of the most polluted countries in the world, with high levels of air pollution causing hundreds of thousands of premature deaths.
In 2013, China introduced its Air Pollution Action Plan, which became the country's most influential environmental policy. This plan helped China make significant improvements in its air quality between 2013 and 2017, reducing PM2.5 levels (atmospheric particulate matter) by 33% in Beijing and 15% in the Pearl River Delta.
In 2014, China's Premier Li Keqiang declared a "war against pollution", marking a shift in the country's long-standing policy of prioritizing economic growth over environmental protection. As part of this war, China implemented a series of decisive actions, including:
- Banning 24 categories of solid waste and stopping the import of highly contaminated plastic waste.
- Reducing coal consumption and the number of polluting industries.
- Scrapping old, polluting cars and increasing the frequency of inspections for those still on the road.
- Tightening standards on emissions from diesel trucks and implementing measures to control the flow of truck traffic through heavily populated areas.
- Reintroducing bike-sharing schemes and improving public transportation systems.
- Investing in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
- Implementing the Three-year Action Plan for Winning the Blue Sky War in 2018, which mandated an 18% reduction in PM2.5 levels in 231 cities.
These actions have had positive results, with China seeing a 12% reduction in smog and a 39.8% reduction in particulate pollution. If these improvements are sustained, China could see an increase in its citizens' life expectancy.
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Improve water quality
China has been taking steps to improve its water quality, and there are several ways in which it can continue to do so.
Firstly, China has a six-tier water quality system, with water below Grade V being the worst quality and Grade III and above considered "fairly good quality". By 2025, China aims to eliminate surface water below Grade V and raise the proportion of "fairly good quality" surface water to 85%. As of 2022, the share of Grade I-III water had improved to 87.9%, exceeding the 2025 target. This improvement is likely due to the enhancement of China's main river basins and key lakes and reservoirs. Notably, four rivers—the Yangtze, Huai, Hai, and Liao—eliminated all their Grade V+ waters in 2022.
Secondly, China has been implementing the RCS (River Chief System) policy, which has helped improve water quality in rivers and lakes by enhancing collaboration between different government departments. The policy involves the RCS office overseeing the coordination, supervision, guidance, inspection, and communication of work related to water quality. The success of the RCS policy was first demonstrated in Wuxi, where significant improvements in water quality were seen in 79 assessment sections.
Thirdly, China has been investing in the wastewater treatment industry to prevent eutrophication (algal blooms) in freshwater. This includes constructing centralised sewage treatment facilities, such as the 1,549 facilities built in industrial parks along the Yangtze River.
Additionally, China should focus on restoring and protecting small water bodies, such as marshes and wetlands, which play a crucial role in improving water quality by effectively reducing nitrogen (N) inputs. Between 1995 and 2015, there was a 43% decrease in the number of water bodies in China, and the loss of these small water bodies places 42% of the country at high water quality risk.
Furthermore, China should continue to address the issue of soil pollution, which has contaminated 38,610 square miles of cultivated land, leading to contaminated water being used for irrigation. China has also been cooperating with other countries on waste management projects, such as the medical waste management center opened in Nepal's Narayani Hospital in 2022, demonstrating its commitment to improving environmental protection.
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Manage medical waste
China has been actively involved in medical waste management projects in other countries, such as Nepal, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos, and Cambodia. These projects aim to reduce pollution and improve health standards by providing waste management tools and equipment, as well as training on standard medical waste disposal procedures.
Within China, the management of medical waste has been a challenge, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a 24% increase in medical waste generation, peaking at over 6000 tons in 2020. The pandemic also highlighted the complexities of local epidemic prevention and control, with the generation of medical waste containing high plastic content increasing by 400% in Hubei province.
To address these issues, the Chinese government has implemented various acts and regulations since 2003, focusing on the collection, transportation, and temporary storage of medical waste. The National Hazardous Waste and Medical Waste Treatment Facility Construction Plan, initiated in 2004, aimed to construct 331 medical waste treatment facilities by 2006, but progress has been slower than expected.
China's medical waste management system primarily relies on incineration and disinfection technologies. Incineration is a widely used method due to its thoroughness, adaptability, and large disposal capacity. However, it is also considered highly polluting, emitting pollutants that degrade air quality and pose health risks. Non-incineration methods, such as low heat, chemistry, and radiation, offer advantages such as lower operating costs and reduced secondary pollution.
To improve medical waste management, China has been working on technological innovations and strategic disposal practices. The country has made progress in connecting management policies with international management experience, but there is still room for improvement in matching management requirements with technical development levels.
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Reduce plastic waste
China has been taking steps to combat plastic pollution, which has long plagued the country. As the world's biggest producer, consumer, and exporter of plastics, China has a significant role in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis.
In 2018, China banned the import of plastic waste, which had a ripple effect on global plastic pollution and management. This ban pushed developed countries to reduce and reuse their plastic waste. In 2020, China introduced new laws and regulations to limit plastic waste and announced a plan for 2021-2025 to improve the management of plastic pollution. The plan includes phasing out single-use plastics, cutting plastic production, reducing plastic waste in landfills, and boosting recycling efforts.
The World Bank approved a $430 million loan for the China Plastic Waste Reduction Project to improve plastic waste management and reduce plastic pollution from municipal solid waste. The project will combine policy and regulatory work at the national level with investments and technical assistance at the subnational and local levels. It will be implemented in two cities: Ningbo, which has advanced waste management, and Chongqing, which is in the early stages of separating waste at the source.
China has also been sharing its expertise in medical waste disposal with other countries, such as Nepal, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos, and Cambodia. This includes providing equipment and training on standard operations for medical waste disposal.
To reduce plastic waste in China and globally, individuals can take several actions:
- Reduce plastic consumption: Avoid single-use plastics and disposable plastic products as much as possible. Choose reusable alternatives instead.
- Reuse plastic items: Whenever possible, reuse plastic items instead of disposing of them after one use. For example, use reusable water bottles, shopping bags, and food containers.
- Recycle plastic waste: Recycle plastic waste whenever possible. Check with local recycling centers to understand what types of plastic they accept and prepare your plastic waste accordingly.
- Support eco-friendly businesses: Choose businesses that use eco-friendly packaging and support sustainable practices. Avoid companies that overuse disposable plastic packaging.
- Advocate for plastic reduction: Use your voice to advocate for plastic reduction in your community and support policies that address plastic pollution. Spread awareness about the impact of plastic pollution and encourage others to take action.
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Improve soil quality
China has a diverse range of soil types and climatic conditions, and its long history of agriculture has resulted in soil degradation over time. The country has been working to improve soil quality through various measures.
One of the main issues affecting soil quality in China is soil erosion. This has been caused by the clearing of extensive forests for farmland, especially in central and southern China. To combat this, farmers have constructed level terraces supported by walls to hold back water for rice fields, effectively controlling erosion. These terraces have become a characteristic feature of the rural landscape and have proven highly successful in preventing soil erosion.
Another issue is the deficiency of nitrogen and organic matter in the soil due to centuries of concentrated cultivation. This has been exacerbated by the removal of crop stalks and leaves for livestock feed and fuel, as well as the insufficient organic matter in animal and human waste used as fertilizer. Soil in China is also often deficient in phosphorus and potassium.
To address these issues, China has implemented several measures. The country has conducted soil surveys and monitoring programs to identify soil quality issues and set standards for soil environmental protection. In 2016, the Chinese government published the '10-Measures for Soil Pollution Action Plan' to manage, control, and prevent soil pollution and gradually improve soil quality. This plan includes conducting surveys on soil pollution to better define the status of soil resources and set quality standards.
China has also invested significantly in battling pollution and improving environmental protection. The country has enacted laws and policies, such as the Environmental Protection Law, to prioritize environmental welfare and expand access to information on environmental issues. Additionally, China has been involved in international projects, such as the medical waste management center in Nepal, to reduce pollution and improve health standards.
Overall, China is taking steps to improve soil quality through various initiatives, research, and investments, aiming to protect the environment, ensure food safety, and promote sustainable agriculture.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution is a significant issue in China, with high levels of atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone (O3) posing serious health risks to residents. China also faces challenges with water pollution, soil pollution, and waste management, including plastic waste.
Air pollution in China has been linked to asthma, bronchitis, and acute and chronic respiratory symptoms. It is also estimated to cause hundreds of thousands of premature deaths annually. Water pollution and poor waste management contribute to additional premature deaths and health issues.
China has implemented various measures to tackle pollution, including the Air Pollution Action Plan, the Three-Year Action Plan for Winning the Blue Sky War, and the National Action Plan on Air Pollution Prevention and Control. They have also invested in pollution treatment and established environmental protection bureaus. China has made progress in reducing air and water pollution and increasing forest cover.
Individuals can take measures such as wearing masks, using air purifiers, and avoiding outdoor activities on high-pollution days. Staying informed about local air and water quality and supporting environmental initiatives can also help. Additionally, individuals can reduce plastic waste and properly dispose of waste to contribute to pollution reduction efforts.
