Bronte Wells
Beijing has long suffered from severe air pollution, with the city's topography ensuring that pollution remains trapped within its limits. The primary sources of this pollution are vehicle emissions, coal-burning factories, and population growth. In recent years, Beijing has made significant efforts to combat this issue, including implementing stricter air pollution monitoring, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and promoting the use of electric vehicles. While these measures have shown some success, air pollution remains a critical issue in Beijing, with the city's air quality continuing to fall short of safe levels.
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What You'll Learn
Vehicle emissions
Beijing has been notorious for its poor air quality, which has been deemed a significant health threat to its citizens. Vehicle emissions have been identified as one of the most critical contributors to air pollution in Beijing.
The number of motor vehicles on Beijing's roads has doubled to 3.3 million, with nearly 1200 added each day. Motor vehicle emissions contribute to nearly 70% of the city's air pollution. The combustion of gasoline or diesel fuel in vehicle engines produces harmful emissions, including carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). These emissions have severe impacts on human health and the environment.
Researchers have found that vehicle emissions contribute significantly to the formation of secondary pollution, such as photochemical smog, visibility reduction, and haze. NOx emissions, in particular, can react with other pollutants to form ground-level ozone and smog. In 2019, Beijing's emissions of CO, VOCs, NOx, and PM2.5 from vehicles were 147.9, 25.3, 43.4, and 0.91 kilotons, respectively, showing a 68% reduction compared to 2009 levels. However, the contribution of NOx emissions from diesel vehicles increased during this period, highlighting the need for further improvements in clean and energy-efficient diesel technology.
To address the issue of vehicle emissions, Beijing has implemented various emission control strategies and policies since the mid-1990s. The city has upgraded emission and fuel standards twice in the past decade and improved the vehicle structure by phasing out old vehicles. Additionally, Beijing has adopted new gasoline standards to reduce benzene and olefin content. The promotion of alternative transportation fuels and advanced vehicle technologies, such as electric vehicles, is also being explored to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
While progress has been made, the increasing number of vehicles in Beijing, exceeding 6.4 million in 2019, remains a challenge. Electric vehicle adoption is expected to play a crucial role in further reducing pollutant emissions.
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Coal-burning factories
Beijing's air pollution is caused by a variety of factors, one of which is coal-burning factories. These factories, located on the outskirts of Beijing and in the nearby cities of Harbin and Hebei, rely on outdated and inefficient technologies, contributing to the smog problem in Beijing. Beijing's topography, surrounded by mountains, traps pollution within the city limits, exacerbating the issue.
The use of coal in China has a long history, dating back thousands of years. Ancient Chinese people are suspected to have engaged in surface mining of coal around 3490 BC, and by the 3rd century BC, they were burning coal for heat. In pre-modern China, coal usage was limited by technological constraints and low demand. However, in the late 11th century, a timber shortage in northern China led to a rapid expansion in coal mining and consumption, with coal replacing charcoal as the main fuel source in the capital city of Kaifeng.
In traditional China, coal consumption was substantial, but low on a per capita basis. The main demand for coal came from industries, particularly the iron industry, which used coke-burning blast furnaces for smelting iron. Chinese scientist Song Yingxing estimated that around 70% of iron was smelted with coal, while 30% used charcoal.
Today, coal-burning power plants are the largest coal-consuming industry in China, accounting for 53% of national coal consumption. Other major coal-consuming industries include steel and iron firms, construction materials firms, and chemical firms, which together account for over 80% of national coal consumption. China has established the world's most extensive ultra-low-emission coal power supply system, and the government has implemented policies to optimize the energy structure and promote the clean and efficient use of coal.
The burning of coal releases toxic substances such as arsenic, fluorine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and mercury, which have severe health impacts. These pollutants contribute to respiratory diseases, lung and esophageal cancers, and other health issues like arsenic and selenium poisoning, as well as skeletal fluorosis, which affects over 10 million people in China.
To address the environmental and health concerns associated with coal-burning factories, Beijing and China as a whole have taken steps to reduce coal usage and improve air quality. Millions of homes and businesses are switching from coal to natural gas, and afforestation measures are being implemented. China is also the world's largest producer of electric cars, and significant investments have been made to combat urban air pollution. These efforts have shown results, with Beijing experiencing a record low PM2.5 level of 23 micrograms per cubic meter in August 2019.
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Population growth
Beijing's air pollution has had a significant impact on the health and well-being of its citizens, threatening to limit the city's future success and expansion. The problem has been decades in the making, with the 1990s marking a period of rapid population growth, industrialization, and increased car ownership.
The population of Beijing has experienced a remarkable increase, growing from 11 million to 16 million in just seven years and doubling over the past century. This rapid urbanization has exerted immense pressure on the city's environment, particularly its air quality. As more people moved to the city, the demand for consumer goods, vehicles, and energy surged, resulting in a corresponding rise in the burning of fossil fuels and an increase in smog.
The number of motor vehicles on Beijing's roads doubled to 3.3 million, with nearly 1,200 added each day. Vehicle emissions contribute significantly to air pollution, with newer cars often emitting more pollutants than older models due to lower emission standards. The surge in car ownership is partly due to the increasing wealth of Beijing's residents, enabling more individuals to afford motor vehicles. This shift from bicycles to cars has been a notable contributor to the city's air pollution problem.
In addition to the direct health impacts of air pollution, the contamination has far-reaching consequences. Beijing's environmental sustainability is at risk, threatening food safety and sustainable agriculture. The presence of heavy metals in the soil, a byproduct of population growth and industrialization, has adverse effects on human health and metabolism. The pollution has also spread internationally, with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides falling as acid rain on Seoul and Tokyo and even reaching Los Angeles.
Recognizing the severity of the issue, the Beijing Municipal Government implemented a set of urgent measures to tackle air pollution. These measures included laws, enforcement mechanisms, systematic planning, strict local standards, and high levels of public engagement. Beijing has also focused on sustainable mobility, championing urban rail expansion and reintroducing bike-sharing schemes. As a result of these efforts, Beijing has made remarkable strides in improving its air quality in recent years, setting an example for other cities facing similar challenges.
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Air quality monitoring
Beijing's air pollution is measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI), which uses a scale from 0 to 500 to indicate the level of pollution in the air. The air quality is also categorised by colour. Levels of 100 or below are known as "Blue Sky Days", when smog is not easily visible.
In 2013, Beijing's air quality was deemed "Beyond Index", with the United States Embassy in Beijing recording a level of 755 on 1 January and 800 by 12 January. This was the highest level of air pollution since recording began in 2008.
In response to the poor air quality, Beijing has implemented a series of measures to reduce air pollution. In 1998, Beijing began an intensified air pollution control programme, which included energy infrastructure optimisation, coal-fired pollution control, and vehicle emission controls. In 2013, Beijing announced a five-year action plan to address the city's severe air pollution. The plan included scrapping old, polluting cars, increasing inspections for vehicles on the road, and tightening standards on emissions from diesel trucks. Beijing has also focused on limiting the use of coal-fired boilers, providing cleaner fuels for homes, and restructuring industries to reduce emissions.
Beijing's air quality has improved as a result of these measures. From 2013 to 2017, fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) in Beijing fell by 35%, and by 25% in surrounding regions. By the end of 2017, the annual average PM2.5 concentration in Beijing had dropped to 58 μg/m3, a 35% decrease from 2013 levels. Sulphur dioxide concentrations had also dropped by more than 93% from 1998 levels, and nitrous dioxide levels had fallen by nearly 38%.
Beijing continues to monitor and address air pollution. Real-time air quality data is available through various platforms, such as the Beijing Air Quality Widget and the Beijing Air Quality plugin for Chrome. Beijing is also transitioning to electric vehicles, with the goal of reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Health impacts
Beijing's air pollution has had a significant impact on the health of its citizens, threatening to limit the city's future success and expansion. The economic growth in China over the past three decades has been the fastest among major nations, which is the primary factor contributing to extensive air pollution. Of the twenty cities with the worst air pollution globally, sixteen are located in China, including Beijing. The enormous economic boom, surge in motorized vehicles, population growth, manufacturing output, topography, and seasonal weather have all contributed to Beijing's air pollution.
The health consequences of air pollution in Beijing are far-reaching. According to the Chinese Ministry of Health, industrial pollution has made cancer the leading cause of death in China. Ambient air pollution alone kills hundreds of thousands of citizens annually, with 500 million lacking access to safe and clean drinking water. Beijing's topography, surrounded by mountains, traps pollution within the city limits. The high levels of harmful emissions have led to frequent road closures and flight cancellations due to low visibility.
Particulate matter, especially PM2.5, poses the greatest danger to human health. These fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines stipulate that the annual mean PM2.5 concentration should not exceed 10 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). However, Beijing has recorded levels nearly ten times higher than the recommended limit. In 2013, Beijing began releasing real-time health advice based on pollution levels, specifically targeting children and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
The public health sector has played a pivotal role in Beijing's clean air initiatives by informing government stakeholders and the public about the detrimental effects of air pollution. Beijing has made significant progress in improving air quality since 2013, with a dramatic reduction in coal-fired power plants and boilers, and the transition to cleaner sources of residential heating. The city has also implemented measures to control vehicle emissions, including establishing low-emission zones and restricting high-emission vehicles. These efforts have resulted in a substantial improvement in air quality, with a positive impact on the health of Beijing's residents, particularly those suffering from cardio and respiratory diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to Beijing's air pollution, with emissions causing nearly 70% of the city's pollution. The number of motor vehicles on Beijing's roads has doubled to 3.3 million, with nearly 1200 added each day.
Coal-burning factories on the outskirts of Beijing also contribute to the city's smog. Beijing's topography, surrounded by mountains, traps pollution within the city. Population growth has also led to extensive pollution, with Beijing's population swelling from 11 million to 16 million in just 7 years.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to measure pollution levels in Beijing, with scores near 500 containing more than 20 times the safe level of particulate matter in the air, according to the World Health Organization.
Air pollution has been linked to lower birth rates, higher adult mortality from respiratory-related diseases, and an increase in lung cancer rates. Beijing's citizens have shorter lifespans compared to those in southern China, with air pollution causing an estimated 411,000 premature deaths across China in 2003.
Beijing has implemented various measures to reduce air pollution, including energy infrastructure optimization, vehicle emission controls, and the phasing out of heavy-duty diesel/gasoline vehicles. The city has also introduced bike-sharing schemes and retrofitted power plants to reduce emissions.
