China's Air Pollution: Is The Tide Turning?

China's air pollution has been a pressing issue for decades, with the country grappling with the detrimental impacts of increased oil consumption, economic development, and industrialization. In recent years, China has made significant strides in its battle against air pollution, implementing various measures to improve air quality. Despite these efforts, China remains the world's largest emitter of atmosphere-warming greenhouse gases, and its economic reliance on coal-fired power and polluting heavy industries continues to pose challenges. This complex issue has far-reaching consequences, and while China's actions have contributed to a decline in global pollution levels, the country still has a long way to go in its fight for cleaner air.

China's air pollution reduction efforts

To achieve these reductions, China implemented a range of measures, including limiting the number of cars on the roads in major cities, banning new coal plants in the most polluted areas, cutting emissions or closing existing plants, and reducing high-polluting industries. The government also invested in clean energy and energy efficiency projects, with a focus on renewable energy sources and emission control. For example, the Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control Program has supported China in reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 2.5 million tons per year, contributing to blue skies in the Jing-Jin-Ji region.

In addition, China has promoted the use of electric vehicles and expanded funding for clean heating in the northern region. The country has also set ambitious targets for improving air quality, aiming to effectively eliminate severe air pollution by the end of 2025. To achieve this, China plans to improve its air quality forecasting and early warning systems, enhance the management of harmful airborne particles (PM2.5), and reduce ozone pollution.

Despite these efforts, China still faces challenges in its battle against pollution. While the country has made impressive gains, it remains the world's 13th most polluted country, and its particulate pollution levels exceed the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact of China's pollution reduction efforts on global warming, as the removal of aerosols from the atmosphere has contributed to an increase in the rate of warming since 2010.

Nevertheless, the progress made in China demonstrates that significant change is possible when the government and its people are committed to improving air quality. China's success in reducing pollution has had a measurable impact on global pollution levels, and if these reductions are sustained, they could lead to an increase in average life expectancy for the country's population.

Impact on life expectancy

China's air pollution has been the subject of widespread public outrage, with Beijing's air quality index (AQI) regularly exceeding the maximum reading of 500 for weeks. A study by the University of Chicago found that air pollution cuts 3.1 years off the average life expectancy in northern China, with an additional 10 micrograms per cubic meter of PM10 reducing life expectancy by 0.6 years. This is due to the country's reliance on coal, which has caused an over-reliance on burning coal for heating, significantly impacting the region's air quality.

The Chinese government has committed to improving the country's air quality as part of its mission to build a "Beautiful China". The country has set a target of reducing annual mean PM2.5 concentration by 10% between 2020 and 2025. The "Healthy China" mission has pledged to increase the country's life expectancy by one year from 2020 to 2025. The analysis shows that with a 10% reduction in the national mean PM2.5 level, the national mean life expectancy could increase by 42.5 days, and gains in life expectancy greater than 100 days could be expected in the most polluting cities. By 2035, when the "Beautiful China" targets are preliminarily achieved, China's national annual mean PM2.5 concentration is expected to be lower than 25 μg/m3, which is the WHO Interim Target-2. This would likely increase the country's mean life expectancy by about a quarter of a year.

The Lancet Planetary Health published a study on the effect of air pollution on deaths, disease burden, and life expectancy across China and its provinces from 1990 to 2017. The study found that pollution from ambient PM2.5 and household burning of solid fuels decreased in recent years after extensive efforts to control emissions. However, PM2.5 concentrations still exceed the WHO Air Quality Guideline, and air pollution remains a significant risk factor for the Chinese population. The study also identified particulate matter (PM) air pollution as the fourth leading risk factor for deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in China in 2017.

China's central authorities are aware that environmental degradation has become one of the country's leading causes of social unrest. The government has introduced several measures to combat air pollution, including the Air Quality-Life Index (AQLI), which allows users to understand the impact of air pollution on their lives by calculating how much longer they would live if the pollution in the air they breathe were brought into compliance with national or WHO standards. Population aging is also expected to be a significant contributor to increased deaths attributable to PM2.5 in China by 2035, which will counter the positive gains achieved by improvements in air pollution and healthcare.

Beijing's initiatives for cleaner air

Beijing has implemented a range of initiatives to combat air pollution and improve the city's air quality.

One key initiative is the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which was launched in September 2017. The LEZ bans heavy-duty freight vehicles with emissions below National IV Standards from entering the city. This initiative not only improves air quality but also mitigates severe public health hazards, saving lives and reducing economic losses.

In addition to the LEZ, Beijing has focused on limiting the use of coal-fired boilers and providing cleaner fuels for residents to burn in their homes. The city has also worked on restructuring industries to reduce emissions and prevent dust pollution. This includes repairing degraded ecosystems and increasing green spaces within the city, which helps to capture particulate matter and improve air quality.

To curb car-based emissions, Beijing has also promoted the use of electric vehicles and increased the availability of fast-charging stations. The city aims to have these stations at no less than 80% of highway service areas in key regions, including Beijing, by 2025. Additionally, Beijing is encouraging the use of rail and water transport for freight cargo, reducing the reliance on high-polluting road transport.

Beijing's initiatives have had a significant impact, with visible improvements in air quality by the end of 2017. The annual average PM2.5 concentration in Beijing had dropped by 35% compared to 2013 levels, and concentrations of sulphur dioxide and nitrous dioxide had also decreased significantly.

However, despite these efforts, challenges remain. Beijing's particulate pollution is still 40% higher than in the most polluted county in the United States, and it continues to significantly exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. While China's war on pollution has shown progress, sustained efforts and multi-pollutant emission reduction strategies are necessary to combat the country's air quality issues fully.

China's economic reliance on coal

China's air pollution has decreased steadily over the years, with people living two years longer, according to a report by CNN. In 2013, China's capital was covered in thick smog, but today, Beijing boasts blue skies. China has the fastest air quality improvement rate globally, and this can be attributed to its success in reducing pollution.

However, China remains the world's 13th most polluted country, and its particulate pollution is 40% higher than in the most polluted county in the United States. Furthermore, after a decade of decline since 2013, China's PM2.5 levels increased in 2023. This increase occurred in 80% of the country's provincial capitals, including Beijing.

China's dependence on coal is driven by several factors. Firstly, coal has been the country's primary energy source for a long time, and it is challenging to transition away from it due to the scale of China's economy. Secondly, coal is essential for energy security, as highlighted by Premier Li Keqiang in 2019. China aims to reduce its reliance on foreign coal and ensure supply security through increased coal production. Thirdly, the coal industry supports substantial employment, with over 2.7 million jobs in 2021. Fourthly, coal is crucial for local economic growth in some provinces, and it is challenging to balance the need for economic growth with environmental sustainability.

While China has made progress in reducing its coal consumption and improving air quality, it is still facing challenges in its transition away from coal due to economic, political, and technological obstacles. The country has committed to “phasing down" coal and is investing in renewable energy sources, but coal remains a stronghold, and air pollution levels are still a concern.

Global impact of China's clean air campaign

China's air pollution has decreased over the years, with the country boasting the fastest air quality improvement worldwide. This improvement has had a significant impact on global pollution levels, with China's success in reducing pollution being attributed to the decline in global pollution. According to the University of Chicago study, if China sustains these reductions, the average life expectancy in the country could increase by 2.2 years.

China's clean air campaign, which began in 2013, has played a crucial role in this improvement. The campaign focused on controlling PM2.5, the most harmful type of particulate matter. As a result, the average PM2.5 concentration dropped by 50% from 2013 to 2019, a significant achievement. China has continued to improve its air quality during the Covid era, with a dip in carbon emissions in the first half of 2022 due to coronavirus lockdowns.

However, it is important to note that China still faces challenges in its battle against pollution. Despite the progress made, China remains the world's 13th most polluted country, and particulate pollution levels significantly exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Additionally, while PM2.5 levels have decreased, other pollutants such as ozone (O3) are on the rise, exacerbating respiratory conditions and increasing the risk of infections and cardiovascular diseases.

China has implemented various measures to improve its air quality, including limiting the number of cars on the roads in major cities, banning new coal plants in the most polluted areas, cutting emissions, and reducing high-polluting industries. The country has also promoted the use of electric vehicles, with plans to have fast-charging stations at 80% of highway service areas in key regions by 2025. China aims to reduce coal consumption and develop new and clean energy sources, such as increasing natural gas production.

The global impact of China's clean air campaign is significant. China's success in reducing air pollution has lowered average global smog levels, with a 40% decline in harmful particulates from 2013 to 2020. This rapid progress nearly equals the US's 44% drop in pollution over 30 years after passing the Clean Air Act. China's extensive air pollution monitoring and public data access have empowered citizens to hold businesses and the government accountable, providing valuable lessons for global climate action.

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