Kiera Jefferson
Shanghai, China, has long struggled with air pollution. The city's air quality index includes measurements of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), PM10 (respirable particulate matter), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), SO2 (sulfur dioxide), CO (carbon monoxide), and O3 (ozone). Over the past few decades, Shanghai has seen high levels of these pollutants, mainly from coal combustion and industrial output. In recent years, the Chinese government has implemented plans to reduce air pollution, with some success. However, Shanghai's air pollution remains a concern, with levels of PM2.5 and other pollutants exceeding those in Beijing, the capital, and other major cities. While there have been improvements in Shanghai's ecological environment, including reductions in water pollution and increases in good air quality days, air pollution continues to be a significant issue.
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What You'll Learn
Shanghai's air pollution is worse than Beijing's
Shanghai, China's largest city, has been experiencing worse air pollution levels than Beijing. This is due to a combination of industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels. The surrounding manufacturing bases have driven increases in emissions in central and southern China, including the steel, cement, and coal sectors.
Beijing has long been seen as the world's air pollution capital, but its air quality is now better than the national average. The Chinese government's winter action plan only covers the Beijing region in northern China, and Shanghai has seen a 9% increase in PM2.5 levels in the past three months. PM2.5 records show that prior to this winter, pollution levels in Beijing were consistently higher than the national average since 2014.
Shanghai's overall air quality index is 63, with a PM2.5 AQI of 63 and a PM10 AQI of 37. The city experienced its worst air pollution episode during the 2013 Eastern China smog, when particulate matter levels blanketed the city, reaching 300 μg/m3. This is far above the recommended WHO guideline of 10 μg/m3.
While China has made efforts to improve air quality, with the "Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan" and the "Blue Sky Action Plan", Shanghai's air pollution remains a significant issue, with levels now exceeding those of Beijing. The local government has continued its efforts to improve air quality, releasing a master plan for 2040 calling for further reductions in PM2.5 levels.
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The Chinese government's Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan
- Targets for PM2.5 Reduction: The plan set specific targets for reducing PM2.5 levels by region, with Greater Shanghai aiming for a 20% reduction by 2017. This target was successfully met, and Shanghai achieved a 26% reduction in air pollution by 2016, two years ahead of schedule.
- Regional Coordination and Management: The plan emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and management. It established the Regional Coordination Mechanism and the Integrated Regional Environmental Management to address air quality issues across different regions, particularly in heavily polluted areas like the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta.
- Monitoring and Warning System: A comprehensive monitoring and warning system was implemented to cope with heavy pollution weather. This system helps track and predict air quality, allowing for timely responses to pollution spikes.
- Vehicle Emissions Control: The action plan targeted vehicle emissions by promoting the upgrade of low-speed vehicles, such as pedicabs and low-speed trucks, to more energy-efficient models. It also encouraged the adoption of new energy vehicles, particularly in public transport, sanitation departments, and government agencies.
- Industrial Structure Optimization: The plan aimed to optimize the industrial structure by strictly controlling new capacity in high energy-consuming and highly polluting industries. It promoted science and technology innovation to achieve quality economic growth while reducing pollution.
- Market-Based Policies: The Chinese government, in cooperation with the US, explored market-based policies for pollution prevention and control from electricity generation and industrial sources. This included the establishment of an SO2 emission trading system in the power industry, similar to the US approach, to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions.
- Ozone and Particulate Pollution Management: Technical assistance was provided to address ozone and particulate pollution. This included information exchange on policies, regulations, and programs to manage and reduce pollution levels, particularly in regions with significant air pollution challenges.
- Clarification of Responsibilities: The plan clarified the responsibilities of the government, enterprises, and society in tackling air pollution. It emphasized the government's leading role while incorporating initiatives from enterprises and encouraging public participation.
The Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan marked a significant shift in China's approach to environmental protection, with a stronger emphasis on ecological civilization and public health. The successful achievement of the plan's targets demonstrated China's commitment to improving air quality and reducing the harmful impacts of pollution on its citizens and the environment.
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Shanghai's ecological environment is improving
Despite a slight rise in the average density of PM2.5 from a historic low in 2022 to 28 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023, the level remained relatively low. The main obstacle to improving air quality is ozone pollution, which has replaced PM2.5 as the primary pollutant in Shanghai's air pollution control efforts since 2017. In 2023, ozone was the primary pollutant for 30 days out of 45 polluted days, while PM2.5 was the primary pollutant for 11 days.
Shanghai's water quality has also improved, with 97.8% of the main river and lake sections classified as Grade II or III under China's five-tier water quality system in 2023, up from 95.6% in 2022. The concentrations of major water pollutants have decreased, with reductions in ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus, and the permanganate index between 2022 and 2023.
Shanghai's improvements in ecological environment are supported by robust regulatory enforcement, with 1,281 ecological violations addressed and total penalties of 107 million yuan imposed in 2023. The local government is committed to green and low-carbon development, and companies regulated by the local carbon trading market achieved a 100% compliance rate in carbon emission quota settlements for 10 consecutive years by the end of 2023.
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Shanghai's water quality is improving
However, Shanghai's rapid industrialization and urban growth have heavily polluted many of its waterways. In 2016, the Shanghai Municipal Water Authority began releasing large numbers of chub and carp into the reservoir to control outbreaks of algae caused by high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in the Yangtze River. According to a 2015 rating, 56% of the city's waterways were below Grade V, the lowest acceptable water quality level in China.
The local government has taken steps to address water pollution, announcing plans in 2016 to clean up all severely and heavily polluted rivers by the end of 2017 and 2020, respectively. These efforts have shown results, with the tap water system in Shanghai improving in recent years.
Additionally, the World Bank has been working with Shanghai for over 30 years to address its water issues. Their projects have included supporting the Shanghai Sewerage Project III, the West Trunk Sewer, and water treatment plant expansion. The World Bank has also helped leverage private and public capital for water infrastructure, including the issuance of China's first enterprise bond for the urban environment, raising US$180 million.
While challenges remain, Shanghai's water quality is showing signs of improvement, thanks to the combined efforts of the local government and external organizations like the World Bank.
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Shanghai's air pollution in 2023
Shanghai, China's economic hub, has been notorious for its air pollution, mainly due to its dense population and manufacturing activities. While the city has made efforts to improve air quality, it still faces challenges in ensuring a consistent reduction in pollution levels.
In 2013, Shanghai experienced one of its worst air pollution episodes during the Eastern China smog, where fine particulate matter levels soared, posing significant health risks to residents. This incident prompted the Chinese government to implement the "Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan," allocating US$284.2 billion to combat pollution. The plan targeted a 20% reduction in PM2.5 levels in Greater Shanghai by 2017, which was successfully achieved.
Building on this success, China released the Blue Sky Action Plan in 2018, setting nation-wide targets for reducing PM2.5 levels. Shanghai demonstrated its commitment by reducing air pollution by 26% below 2015 levels by 2016. The local government also released a master plan for 2040, emphasizing further reductions in PM2.5 concentrations.
Despite these efforts, Shanghai's air pollution remains a concern. As of 2024, Shanghai's air pollution levels were reported to be worse than Beijing's, with year-on-year increases in PM2.5 concentrations. The surrounding manufacturing bases and industrial output contribute to this issue.
While there is a lack of specific data for 2023, Shanghai's air pollution problem has been a persistent issue over the years. The Chinese government's plans and investments in pollution control, along with Shanghai's local initiatives, are ongoing efforts to tackle this complex problem. The success of the previous pollution reduction targets provides a positive indication for continued improvement in air quality in Shanghai and across China.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Shanghai's air quality is improving. In 2023, Shanghai addressed 1,281 ecological violations, imposing penalties totalling 107 million yuan. The city has also seen a decrease in the concentrations of major water pollutants.
Shanghai's pollution is largely due to its proximity to manufacturing bases, which have caused year-on-year increases in PM2.5 levels. Coal consumption and production have also been cited as major contributors to Shanghai's pollution.
The Chinese government has implemented various plans to address airborne pollution, including the "Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan", which set targets for PM2.5 reduction by region for 2017. Shanghai met its goal of a 20% reduction and continued its efforts beyond this.
As of 2023, Shanghai had 132 days of excellent air quality, 188 days of good air quality, 41 days of lightly polluted air, 3 days of moderately polluted air, and 1 day of severely polluted air.
Shanghai's air pollution has been reported to be worse than Beijing's, which has long been considered the world's most polluted city. However, Beijing's air quality has improved in recent years, and it now has better air quality than the national average.
