China's Pollution: Understanding The Complex Causes

China's rapid industrialization has led to severe environmental degradation, with the country facing intense levels of air, water, and soil pollution. The primary causes of pollution in China include industrial emissions, coal power plants, transportation, and the use of solid household fuels. These sources of pollution have resulted in high levels of air pollution in Chinese cities, causing an alarming number of premature deaths and contributing to social, economic, and political issues. The country's immense population growth has also led to increased soil pollution, threatening food safety and sustainable agriculture. While China has implemented measures to address pollution, such as converting coal furnaces to natural gas and relocating factories, the balance between economic growth and environmental protection remains a significant challenge.

Industrial pollution

Air pollution in China is a major concern, causing an estimated 1.85 million deaths in 2019 alone. The high levels of air pollution in China's cities are due in part to industrial emissions, with fine particles in the air penetrating deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system of people, causing various diseases, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. The World Bank reported in 1997 that industrial air pollution had caused hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and incidents of serious respiratory illness. The report also acknowledged the serious contamination of China's waterways by industrial discharges, making many of them unfit for direct human use.

Water pollution is another critical issue. Industrial firms discharge inorganic compounds and toxic gases into the water during production, resulting in serious water contamination. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Academy of Engineering of China reported that over 3 million Chinese families lacked access to clean water, and one-third of the water system is below the safety standard. This has had dire consequences, with an estimated 6 million tonnes of food grain contaminated by heavy metals each year, causing direct losses of 29 billion yuan (US$2.57 billion).

Soil pollution has also been impacted by industrialization. The immense population growth in China since the 1980s has resulted in increased soil pollution, threatening the environment, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. Contaminated water is used to irrigate cultivable land, further exacerbating the problem.

China's economic growth has been largely powered by coal, a cheap but highly polluting source of energy. While the percentage of energy consumption from coal has decreased over the years, it still accounted for 57.7% in 2019. The power sector is the country's largest source of nitrogen oxide emissions, which contribute to ozone pollution, and industrial firms continue to discharge wastewater, waste gas, and solid waste, causing ecological degradation.

The Chinese government has recognized the severity of the situation and has implemented various measures to reduce pollution, such as the "Ecological Civilization" strategy and the Environmental Protection Law. However, the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental and social welfare remains significant.

Population growth

China's immense population growth, particularly since the 1980s, has resulted in increased soil pollution. The State Environmental Protection Administration recognizes this as a threat to the environment, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. About 38,610 square miles (100,000 km2) of China's cultivated land has been polluted, with contaminated water being used to irrigate a further 31.5 million square miles (21,670 km2). Solid waste has covered or destroyed an additional 2 million square miles (1,300 km2) of land. This affected area accounts for a significant portion of China's cultivable land, leading to an estimated 6 million tons of food grain being contaminated by heavy metals annually. The economic consequences of this pollution are significant, causing direct losses amounting to billions of dollars.

The increasing population has also contributed to severe water shortages and water pollution. The rapid population increase, coupled with lax environmental oversight, has resulted in heightened water demand and pollution. Agriculture, forestry, husbandry, and country residents account for a large proportion of water consumption, placing immense pressure on this limited resource.

Furthermore, the total number of vehicles in China reached 360 million in 2020, making vehicle emissions a major contributor to air pollution, especially in larger cities. According to China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, vehicle emissions were responsible for about 45% of Beijing's air pollution in 2018 and nearly 30% in Shanghai.

Poor water quality

Water pollution in China is largely attributed to rapid industrialization and economic growth, which have come at a significant environmental cost. Multinational companies, in their pursuit of cheap goods, often disregard the environmental practices of their suppliers, contributing to the pollution of water sources. Weak environmental regulations, poor enforcement, and local corruption have allowed factories to discharge untreated wastewater into water bodies with impunity. As a result, rural communities located near industrial complexes are forced to rely on contaminated water for their daily needs, exposing them to various health risks.

Agricultural waste, particularly the use of farm fertilizers, has also played a significant role in water contamination. High levels of arsenic, fluorine, and sulfates have been detected in China's water sources, posing serious health hazards. The pollution has been linked to the country's high rates of liver, stomach, and esophageal cancer. Additionally, pollution-induced algae blooms have further degraded water quality and contributed to the depletion of marine life.

The Chinese government has made efforts to address water pollution, with the Ministry of Environment setting five-year water quality targets for provinces. However, compliance has been an issue, and in some cases, water quality has continued to deteriorate. There is a growing recognition that improving water quality is essential not only for the quality of life but also for the survival of China's citizens. Experts and organizations like Greenpeace have advocated for increased public awareness, data transparency, and ambitious water quality targets to address this pressing issue.

The impact of inadequate water quality on water scarcity is complex and unevenly distributed across the country. However, with over half of the population affected by water scarcity, there is an urgent need to improve freshwater quantity and quality management. China's rapid economic development has lifted millions out of poverty, but addressing the environmental degradation it has caused, including water pollution, remains a significant challenge for the country.

Fossil fuel usage

The burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, has led to increased emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and black carbon, contributing to the formation of smog and acid rain. These emissions have not only affected local air quality but have also spread internationally, causing acid rain in neighbouring countries such as South Korea and Japan. China's rapid industrialization and economic growth have further exacerbated the problem, as increased energy consumption has resulted in higher emissions and more polluted waterways.

The health consequences of fossil fuel usage in China are dire. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide each year, with China accounting for a significant portion of these deaths. High levels of air pollution in China's cities cause an estimated 350,000 to 550,000 premature deaths annually, with an additional 300,000 deaths attributed to poor indoor air quality. The Chinese Ministry of Health has also declared cancer as the leading cause of death in the country, with lung cancer being a direct result of exposure to fine particles in polluted air.

In response to the environmental and health challenges posed by fossil fuel usage, China has implemented strategies to transition to renewable energy sources and enhance energy efficiency. The country has set ambitious targets, aiming for 30% of its energy to come from renewables by 2025 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. China is investing in renewable energy projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, wind farms, and nuclear reactors, to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, China is exploring market-based approaches, such as emissions permits and carbon emission pricing, to incentivize companies to reduce their carbon footprint.

While China has made significant progress in addressing the impacts of fossil fuel usage, challenges remain. The country's economic development and growth are closely tied to industrial output, urbanization, and motorization, which can increase pollution levels. Balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability is a complex task, and China continues to face trade-offs between the two. However, with technological advancements, supportive government policies, and changing market dynamics, China is committed to reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating the environmental and health consequences associated with their usage.

Vehicle emissions

In 2019, emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) from motor vehicles in China were 6.356 million tons and 7.716 million tons, respectively. These emissions accounted for 20% and 24% of total emissions that year. Studies have shown that vehicle emissions contribute approximately 12–36% of total NOx, 37–43% of total volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 10.7% of total PM10, and 16.8% of total PM2.5 in China.

To address the challenges posed by vehicle emissions, China has implemented various strategies and plans to reduce on-road vehicular pollution. For example, a fuel tax was imposed in 2009, and pilot subsidies for new energy vehicles (NEVs) were introduced in some regions in 2010. The Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) issued in 2013 promoted the use of substitute fuel vehicles in bus fleets and limited the number of vehicles. China has also set targets for "Carbon Peak" in 2030 and "Carbon Neutrality" in 2060, with Hainan Province aiming to ban the sale of fuel-powered cars by 2030.

However, there are concerns that promoting NEVs may increase CO2 emissions due to coal-related electric power production. Additionally, the effectiveness of vehicle emission control policies (VECPs) in reducing traffic-related emissions, except for CO2, needs further evaluation. Overall, China is facing significant challenges in balancing economic growth with environmental and social welfare, and the country's leaders are undertaking a range of efforts to reduce air pollution caused by vehicle emissions.

Frequently asked questions