Brian Barton
China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases and was home to many of the world's most polluted cities. The country's environmental crisis, caused by its rapid industrialization, has endangered the pace of its economic growth and threatened the legitimacy of the ruling party. In response, China has implemented various measures to combat pollution and improve air quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reducing carbon dioxide emissions | 2.5 million tons a year |
| Improving energy efficiency | |
| Investing in renewable energy | |
| Reducing coal use | |
| Investing in clean heating | |
| Improving air quality monitoring technology | |
| Afforestation and reforestation | |
| Prohibiting new coal-fired power plants | |
| Shutting down old coal-fired power plants | |
| Reducing the number of cars on the road | |
| Introducing all-electric bus fleets |
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What You'll Learn
Reducing coal consumption
China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases and was once home to many of the world's most polluted cities. Coal is largely to blame for the degradation of air quality in China, which is the world's largest coal producer and accounts for about half of global coal consumption.
China has been working to reduce its coal consumption and improve its air quality. In 2013, the Chinese government introduced the Air Pollution Action Plan, which helped the nation 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. As part of this plan, the government prohibited new coal-fired power plants and shut down several old plants in the most polluted regions, including Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Pearl and Yangtze Deltas.
In addition to the Air Pollution Action Plan, China has also implemented the Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control Program, financed by the World Bank. This program has supported China's efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by investing in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and emissions control.
China has also been transitioning to clean energy technologies, particularly in the sectors of electric vehicles, batteries, and solar power. This has contributed to a reduction in emissions and improved air quality in some of China's major cities.
Furthermore, China has been working to increase the use of electric vehicles and reduce the number of cars on the road. Large cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou have started introducing all-electric bus fleets and restricting the number of cars on the road. Beijing has also made strides in curbing vehicle emissions and promoting electric mobility, improving the air quality for its citizens.
While China has made progress in reducing coal consumption and improving air quality, it is still facing challenges in meeting its emission reduction targets and improving the air quality in all of its major cities.
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Investing in renewable energy
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has been investing in renewable energy to combat its severe air pollution problem. In 2020, the country announced its goal to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. China's leadership recognized the negative diplomatic impacts of being branded the world's worst polluter, especially in countries vulnerable to climate change.
To achieve its emissions targets, China has been actively investing in renewable energy projects. In 2024, China led the world in energy transition investment, accounting for two-thirds of the $2.1 trillion spent globally on initiatives ranging from power grids to electric transport. China has also established a global near-monopoly over key raw materials, such as cobalt for batteries, and has invested heavily in wind, solar, and electric car manufacturers.
The country's renewable energy dominance has been decades in the making. In the mid-2000s, China began investing strategically in renewable technologies, including solar, wind, green hydrogen, and geothermal projects, as well as battery storage research and development. As a result, China now produces 31% of its electricity from renewable sources and is on track to make solar its leading energy source by 2026.
China's clean energy boom has been facilitated by low-cost electricity from heavily polluting coal plants, which has allowed the country to run energy-intensive industries more cheaply than elsewhere. However, despite its massive clean energy investments, China's emissions rose by 0.8% in 2024, and the country continues to face the challenge of meeting its emission reduction targets.
International cooperation is also playing a role in China's renewable energy transition. The World Bank's Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control Program has supported China's efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, leveraging funding 5.4 times the original loan amount. Additionally, China's climate pledge has influenced the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act in the United States, a $400 billion green industrial policy aimed at boosting American clean energy production.
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Improving energy efficiency
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has been taking steps to improve its energy efficiency and reduce pollution. The country's efforts to mitigate climate change and address air pollutants have shown positive outcomes. Here are some key initiatives and their impacts:
Policy Changes and Targets:
China has implemented various policies and set targets to improve energy efficiency. The 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) focused on energy efficiency and clean energy, aiming to control air pollutants at their source. The country also intends to peak carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality before 2030, as outlined in its "1+N" climate policy system.
Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control Program:
Supported by the World Bank, this program has financed investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and emissions control. It has successfully reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 2.5 million tons per year, contributing to improved air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Jing-Jin-Ji) region.
National Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS):
China launched a national ETS in July 2021, covering the electricity generation sector, which accounts for over 40% of the country's energy-related CO2 emissions. This scheme is a crucial step towards reducing emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Clean Energy Technologies:
China has recognized the importance of clean energy technologies, such as electric vehicles, batteries, and solar power, in driving economic growth. These sectors have contributed significantly to the country's GDP, and efforts are being made to further electrify transportation and building sectors.
Reducing Coal Consumption:
China is actively working to reduce coal consumption and increase the use of natural gas and renewable energy sources. This shift has already shown positive results, with a significant reduction in coal-based generation and an increase in electricity generated from gas.
Improving Air Quality in Cities:
Beijing, China's capital, has made notable strides in curbing vehicle emissions and promoting electric mobility, improving the air quality for its residents. The city has also reintroduced bike-sharing schemes and improved its subway system, encouraging more sustainable modes of transportation.
China's efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution are ongoing. While challenges remain, the country is committed to mitigating climate change and improving the health and well-being of its citizens through various initiatives and policy changes.
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Promoting electric vehicles
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has been taking steps to tackle its air pollution problem, especially in its capital city of Beijing, which was once cloaked in impenetrable smog. One of the key strategies in this battle is the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs).
China leads the world in the deployment of electric vehicles. As of the end of 2021, almost half of the electric cars and 95% of electric buses and trucks globally were in China. The country also leads the global markets for electric two- and three-wheelers. In 2021, 3.5 million electric vehicles were sold in China, with electric car sales making up 16% of total car sales. This growth continued into 2022, with 2.6 million electric vehicles sold in just the first half of the year, making up 24% of total car sales.
The Chinese government has implemented several policies to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. One such policy is the New Emissions Vehicle Mandate, which requires each Chinese passenger vehicle manufacturer and importer to make or import a certain percentage of electric vehicles. This requirement started at 10% in 2019 and has been increasing annually, reaching 18% in 2023. The government also uses its procurement power to promote electric vehicles, with a requirement that half of the new vehicles purchased by the central government be new energy vehicles within five years, starting in 2016. Additionally, the government strongly discourages the construction of factories solely for internal combustion engine vehicles and mandates that any new vehicle factory include capacity for the construction of electric vehicles.
The development of EV charging infrastructure is also being promoted by the Chinese central government, with targets, funding, and mandated standards. In 2022, the government required all new communities and workplaces to have EV charging installed. China's two state-owned electric utilities, China State Grid and China Southern Grid, also have programs to promote the development of EV charging infrastructure.
The Chinese government previously offered subsidies for fuel cell electric vehicles, with amounts of up to RMB 200,000 (roughly $29,000) for cars and RMB 500,000 (about $72,500) for trucks and buses. These subsidies have since been replaced by demonstration programs in pilot cities selected by the central government. Many provincial and local governments are also actively promoting electric vehicles, with incentives such as preferential access to license plates.
The growth of China's EV industry is driven by its large market scale, with over 400 million middle-income people representing potential EV consumers. In 2023, China consumed almost all of its EV production, demonstrating high confidence in its EV manufacturing capacity. The country's first climate commitment in 2009 in Copenhagen has resulted in super-fast growth in EV sales, with China becoming the world's largest EV market. In 2023, China accounted for 63.5% of the world's new energy vehicle sales.
The adoption of electric vehicles is key to China's decarbonization efforts, especially in the transportation sector, which accounts for about 10% of the country's national carbon emissions. The replacement of gasoline vehicles with electric alternatives is projected to result in substantial emission reductions, with studies showing that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) significantly reduce emissions when compared to gasoline vehicles.
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Reforestation and afforestation
China has been making efforts to combat air pollution and climate change through clean energy financing and reforestation and afforestation initiatives.
China has been working on increasing its forest cover through various initiatives, including the Great Green Wall, also known as the Three-North Shelter Forest Program or the Three-North Shelterbelt Program. This program, which began in 1978, aims to create a vast green barrier spanning approximately 4,828 kilometres in length and up to 1,448 kilometres in width, encompassing around 88 million acres of forests. The program involves planting human-made windbreaking forest strips, known as shelterbelts, to hold back the expansion of the Gobi Desert and provide timber to the local population.
In addition to the Great Green Wall, China has implemented other afforestation and reforestation initiatives. According to the National Forest Conservation Program, China's forest cover grew from roughly 13% in 1981 to more than 20% in 2010. Between 2016 and 2020, China planted 36.3 million hectares of forests, and from 2011 to 2015, approximately 15 million hectares were planted. The National Afforestation and Greening Plan (2016-2020) and the National Forest Management Plan (2016-2050) are additional initiatives aimed at increasing forest coverage and promoting sustainable practices.
China's reforestation efforts have had both positive and negative impacts. On the one hand, increasing forest coverage can enhance eco-tourism, provide livelihood sources for local communities, and promote renewable energy alternatives. On the other hand, some critics argue that the high-density planting of exotic tree species has worsened water shortages and reduced biodiversity in certain regions.
Overall, China's reforestation and afforestation initiatives are significant steps towards improving the country's ecological conditions, combating desertification, and mitigating climate change. These efforts contribute to the global greening movement and showcase China's commitment to environmental restoration and sustainability.
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