Greta Jimenez
Beijing and Shanghai, China's two largest cities, have long struggled with air pollution. While Beijing has historically been considered the world's pollution capital, Shanghai's air quality has recently deteriorated to levels worse than Beijing. This shift can be attributed to rising pollution in industrial regions surrounding Shanghai and a government action plan that has successfully reduced pollution in Beijing. Despite improvements in Beijing and Shanghai's air quality in recent years, both cities continue to experience unhealthy levels of pollution that pose significant health risks to their residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution in Shanghai compared to Beijing | Shanghai's air pollution is now worse than Beijing's. |
| Beijing's air quality compared to the national average | In 2019, Beijing residents experienced moderate levels of pollution for only two months, August and September. For the remaining ten months, the air quality was classified as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" by the World Health Organization. |
| Shanghai's air quality compared to the national average | In 2019, Shanghai saw 63 days where the AQI was above 100 (unhealthy for sensitive groups). |
| Beijing's PM2.5 levels | In 2017, Beijing's average PM2.5 pollution level was 65% above the national standard and six times the World Health Organization's recommendation. In 2019, Beijing's PM2.5 average was 42.1 µg/m³. |
| Shanghai's PM2.5 levels | Shanghai has seen year-on-year increases in PM2.5 levels, with a 9% increase in the past three months. |
| Beijing's progress in reducing air pollution | Beijing has made vast changes and improvements in air quality over the years. |
| Shanghai's progress in reducing air pollution | Shanghai has also made considerable progress in reducing air pollution. |
| Factors contributing to air pollution in Beijing and Shanghai | Vehicle emissions, population growth, industrial output, and manufacturing activities. |
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What You'll Learn
Shanghai's air pollution is now worse than Beijing's
Shanghai, a bustling economic hub, has seen a worrying increase in pollution levels. Specifically, levels of PM2.5—fine particulate matter that poses significant health risks—have been recorded in Shanghai at levels exceeding those in Beijing. This is a concerning development, as PM2.5 pollution can have detrimental effects on human health, with traces of smog even reaching as far as California in the United States.
There are several factors contributing to Shanghai's worsening air pollution. Firstly, Shanghai is surrounded by manufacturing bases, and industrial output has shifted towards the city, leading to increased emissions. Additionally, Shanghai is China's largest city and a global financial centre, experiencing rapid economic growth and urbanisation. This growth has been accompanied by a rise in motorised vehicles, with consequent increases in vehicle emissions.
In contrast, Beijing has made notable progress in reducing its air pollution levels. In 2019, Beijing experienced its lowest PM2.5 levels on record, and the city has consistently met its air quality targets. Beijing's success can be attributed to the government's winter action plan, which has resulted in reduced industrial activity and lower car emissions. However, it is important to note that Beijing's air quality still does not meet the World Health Organisation's standards, and residents experience unhealthy air for a significant portion of the year.
The Chinese government now faces the challenge of replicating Beijing's successes nationwide. With pollution levels fluctuating across the country, a comprehensive plan that addresses the unique circumstances of each region is necessary. This includes addressing major industrial regions that are not currently covered by the government's existing plans.
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Beijing's air quality issues
Beijing has long been considered the world's most polluted city, but its air quality has improved in recent years. In 2019, Beijing experienced 120 days where the Air Quality Index (AQI) was above 100 (considered unhealthy for sensitive groups). This was an improvement from previous years, and the city saw a further reduction in pollution in 2024, with levels of fine particulate matter dropping below the national average for the first time.
The Chinese government has implemented aggressive policies to address Beijing's air quality issues, and these efforts have shown results. Beijing met its ambitious target for reducing air pollution in 2017, and the average PM2.5 pollution level fell by 33% from 2013 to 2017. The city also shut down industrial facilities and reduced car emissions ahead of a major celebration in 2015, resulting in a significant drop in PM2.5 concentrations.
However, Beijing still faces challenges in maintaining healthy air quality. Emissions from vehicles contribute to about 70% of the city's polluted air, with the large and growing number of motorised vehicles being a significant factor. The city's population has also increased rapidly, rising from 11 million to 16 million in just seven years, which contributes to pollution levels.
Additionally, Beijing's air quality is impacted by surrounding industrial regions. As economic output shifted away from cities surrounding Beijing, central and southern China registered increases in emissions, driven by a boost in the steel, cement, and coal sectors. This highlights the complex nature of addressing air pollution in Beijing and the need for coordinated efforts across the country.
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Shanghai and Beijing's air quality in 2019
Shanghai and Beijing, two of China's biggest cities, have long been associated with high levels of air pollution. In 2019, both cities continued to face air quality issues, with Shanghai's pollution levels surpassing those of Beijing.
Shanghai, a bustling economic hub, has seen a steady increase in pollution levels, particularly in terms of PM2.5 concentrations. The presence of manufacturing bases surrounding the city has contributed to this issue. In 2019, Shanghai experienced a year-on-year increase in PM2.5 levels of 9% in the past three months, indicating a worsening air quality situation. The city's pollution problem has become so prominent that it has gained attention from organisations like Greenpeace.
Beijing, on the other hand, has made notable strides in improving its air quality. For a long time, Beijing was considered the world's most polluted city, with consistently high levels of fine particulate matter. However, in 2019, Beijing experienced a significant drop in pollution levels. In August 2019, the city recorded its lowest PM2.5 levels, reaching a record low of 23 micrograms per cubic meter. This improvement was attributed to aggressive policies and action plans implemented by the government to tackle air pollution.
Despite Beijing's progress, China's war on pollution remains a challenging task. The country has implemented various measures, such as the 2013 national air pollution action plan, which set targets for improving air quality by 2017. These targets were met, but the average PM2.5 pollution level in Beijing in 2017 was still 65% above the national standard. The impact of pollution on public health has been a significant concern, with Zhong Nanshan, the president of the China Medical Association, warning in 2012 that air pollution could become China's biggest health threat.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged at the end of 2019, also had an impact on air quality in both cities. The lockdown measures implemented to control the spread of the virus resulted in decreased human activity and a subsequent reduction in air pollutant emissions. However, the overall values of pollutant concentrations during the lockdown period were still higher than the World Health Organization's recommended levels.
In summary, while Beijing has shown progress in improving its air quality and reducing pollution levels in 2019, Shanghai continues to struggle with worsening pollution, particularly in terms of PM2.5 concentrations. China's efforts to combat pollution have yielded mixed results, and the country continues to face the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
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The causes of China's air pollution
Shanghai's air pollution is currently worse than Beijing's. Beijing has long been considered the world's most polluted city, but its air quality has improved in recent years and is now better than the national average. On the other hand, Shanghai, an economic hub surrounded by manufacturing bases, has seen a year-on-year increase in PM2.5 levels.
China's air pollution has various causes, and the country has been waging a war against this issue. Here are the primary causes of China's air pollution:
- Industrial Activities: Industrial activities, including manufacturing and power generation, contribute significantly to air pollution. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, in power plants releases harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). While SO2 emissions have declined since 2006 due to the adoption of flue-gas desulfurization technology in power plants, industrial output continues to impact air quality, especially in regions like Shanghai and Guangzhou.
- Vehicle Emissions: Motor vehicles are a major source of air pollution in Chinese cities, particularly in Beijing. The rapid increase in the number of vehicles on the roads, coupled with higher emission standards for newer cars, has led to elevated levels of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.
- Population Growth: The growing population in Chinese cities, especially Beijing, contributes to the pollution problem. As the population increases, so does the demand for energy, transportation, and industrial goods, leading to higher emissions and pollution levels.
- Household Fuel Usage: Household use of solid fuels, such as coal, for cooking and heating contributes significantly to air pollution. This is particularly prevalent in rural areas and among lower-income households, impacting both ambient air quality and the health of those using these fuels.
- Policy and Enforcement: While China has implemented various policies to address air pollution, including the 2013 Heavy Air Pollution Contingency Plan, inconsistent enforcement and the need for more comprehensive reforms have hindered progress. The success of emergency measures during the 2008 Beijing Olympics highlighted the importance of stringent and widespread policy implementation.
While China has made notable progress in reducing air pollution in recent years, the aforementioned factors continue to pose significant challenges. Addressing these issues will be crucial in improving air quality and public health outcomes across the country.
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China's progress in reducing air pollution
China has made significant progress in reducing air pollution in recent years. The country has implemented various measures to improve air quality, including the introduction of the Air Pollution Action Plan in 2013, which helped reduce PM2.5 levels by 33% in Beijing and 15% in the Pearl River Delta between 2013 and 2017. This plan, along with other policies, contributed to a 40% decrease in harmful particulates in the air from 2013 to 2020.
In addition to the Action Plan, China has invested heavily in environmental initiatives, such as aggressive afforestation and reforestation programs like the Great Green Wall, planting over 35 billion trees across 12 provinces. China's expenditure on forestry per hectare exceeded that of the US and Europe, demonstrating its commitment to improving air quality.
China has also focused on reducing emissions from the coal power sector by upgrading and refitting power plants, as well as shutting down coal mines. This has resulted in a decline in sulfur dioxide emissions, with a 10.4% reduction from 2006 to 2008, leading to improvements in related issues such as a lower frequency of acid rainfall.
The country's efforts to reduce air pollution have had a positive impact on sustainable development. Studies have shown that reducing industrial SO2 emissions contributes to progress in various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG3 (good health and well-being) and SDG15 (life on land). China's actions have also laid the foundation for potential gains in life expectancy, as cleaner air has a direct impact on the health and well-being of its citizens.
However, China's progress in reducing air pollution has not been uniform across the country. While Beijing has seen improvements, with PM2.5 levels dropping below the national average during the winter of 2024, cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou have recorded increasing levels of PM2.5. As industrial output shifted away from Beijing, central and southern China have registered increases in emissions, driven by a boost in the steel, cement, and coal sectors.
Despite these challenges, China remains committed to its war on pollution, with the government issuing additional action plans to further reduce emissions and improve air quality nationwide.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Shanghai is more polluted than Beijing. In 2019, Shanghai saw 63 days where the AQI was above 100, compared to Beijing's 120 days.
The main causes of China's air pollution are emissions from power stations, economic growth, an increase in the number of motorised vehicles, population growth, and an increase in manufacturing outputs.
Beijing has implemented aggressive policies to improve its air quality, including reducing car emissions and shutting down industrial facilities. The government's winter action plan currently covers the Beijing region, and China has also published a national air pollution action plan with air quality targets.
