China's Anti-Pollution Efforts: Strategies And Results

China's rapid economic expansion, combined with relaxed environmental oversight, has caused a number of ecological problems. In response to public pressure, the Chinese government has implemented a number of measures to curb pollution and improve the country's environmental situation.

In 2013, China experienced some of its highest pollution levels, and public awareness and criticism reached new heights. The following year, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang declared a war against pollution, allocating substantial public resources to combating pollution.

China's strict policy action led to a swift reduction in pollution. From 2013 to 2020, particulate pollution in China declined by 39.6%, adding about 2 years to average life expectancy if these reductions are sustained.

The government prohibited new coal-fired power plants and shut down older plants in the most polluted regions. Large cities restricted the number of cars on the road and started introducing all-electric bus fleets. China also reduced its iron and steel-making capacity, shut down coal mines, and invested in reforestation programmes.

China's fight against air pollution has laid the foundation for significant gains in the country's life expectancy. The average citizen can now expect to live 2.4 years longer if the declines in air pollution persist.

Prohibited new coal-fired power plants and shut down old plants in the most polluted regions

China's rapid economic progress has come at a cost: air pollution that has caused a public health crisis, killing more than 1.1 million people annually. In 2013, China experienced some of its highest pollution levels, and public awareness and criticism reached new heights. The following year, in response to the anger and frustration of citizens, the Chinese government took decisive action to improve the air quality of its cities.

One of the key measures implemented was the prohibition of new coal-fired power plants and the shutdown of old plants in the most polluted regions, including the city clusters of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Pearl and Yangtze Deltas. This was a significant step as coal-fired power plants contribute significantly to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. By shutting down these plants, China could reduce not only the harmful particulate matter in the air but also the carbon dioxide emissions contributing to climate change.

The Chinese government's decision to prohibit new coal-fired power plants and shut down old ones in polluted regions was a strategic move to address the environmental and health crises caused by air pollution. The closure of these plants was expected to reduce particulate pollution and improve air quality, adding about two years to the average life expectancy of those living in affected areas. This action demonstrated the government's commitment to tackling pollution and improving the health and well-being of its citizens.

The shutdown of coal-fired power plants in China's most polluted regions was a challenging but necessary step in the country's transition towards cleaner energy sources. While coal has been a significant source of energy for China, providing over half of its total energy needs, the environmental and health impacts associated with its use became increasingly concerning. By prohibiting new coal-fired power plants and shutting down old ones, China signalled its intention to move away from coal and embrace renewable alternatives.

The prohibition of new coal-fired power plants and the shutdown of old plants in polluted regions were part of China's comprehensive plan to tackle air pollution. This plan also included reducing iron and steel-making capacity, shutting down coal mines, restricting vehicle emissions, and implementing afforestation and reforestation programs. These measures, along with the shift away from coal, contributed to significant improvements in air quality and public health in China.

Restricted the number of cars on the road and introduced all-electric bus fleets

In response to the growing problem of air pollution, the Chinese government has implemented a series of measures to curb the number of cars on the road and promote the use of electric vehicles. One notable example is the restriction on the number of cars allowed to be on the road, known as the "city-wide lottery on license plates." This measure was put in place to discourage the purchase of new fossil fuel-burning cars, as obtaining a license plate for an electric car is made easier. In addition, the government has also offered incentives for citizens to switch to electric vehicles, such as tax breaks and special license plates that exempt drivers from local traffic restrictions. These policies have had a significant impact, with Shenzhen becoming the first city in the world to electrify all of its public buses, and other cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou following suit.

The Chinese government has also taken steps to phase out old, polluting cars and increase the frequency of inspections for those still on the road. They have implemented stricter emissions standards and closed loopholes in enforcement to ensure that vehicles meet the required standards. Additionally, measures have been put in place to control the flow of truck traffic, such as ordering lorries to use beltways to bypass heavily populated areas.

The push for electric vehicles is not limited to cars alone. China has become a leader in electric transit, with 99% of the world's electric buses. This shift towards electrification has had a positive impact on reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to cleaner air in cities like Beijing. The annual average PM2.5 concentration in Beijing, for example, dropped to 58ug/m3 in 2017, a 35% reduction from 2013 levels.

While there has been notable progress, there is still work to be done to meet national and World Health Organization standards for air quality. Beijing, in particular, continues to face challenges with nitrogen dioxide and PM10 concentrations above the recommended levels, and ozone pollution in the summer is an emerging concern. However, with continued efforts and the implementation of action plans, there is optimism that further improvements can be achieved.

Reduced its iron and steel-making capacity and shut down coal mines

China's steel industry is a major contributor to climate change, with the steel sector producing 15% of the country's total CO2 emissions. In addition, the country's iron and steel-making processes are energy-intensive and carbon-intensive, relying heavily on coking coal.

Recognising the need to reduce pollution, China's government ordered steelmakers to scale back production capacity to avoid overcapacity and meet emissions reduction targets. This was particularly targeted at the steel industry, which was central to trade disputes with the US and EU and was one of the nation's largest sources of air pollution.

China's efforts to reduce its iron and steel-making capacity included implementing curbs on "blind investment". This involved addressing the financial health of steel companies, as iron ore prices had spiked due to the high output of steel to support the construction boom.

In addition to reducing its iron and steel-making capacity, China also shut down coal mines as part of its pollution reduction strategy. The country's coal mines, particularly those in the Shanxi province, were identified as a significant source of pollution. By the end of 2020, Shanxi planned to shut down all small-sized coal mines with an annual capacity below 600,000 tonnes. This move was part of a broader plan to improve safety conditions, get rid of outdated mines, and reduce the number of coal mines by 2022.

China's efforts to reduce its iron and steel-making capacity and shut down coal mines were significant steps in its battle against air pollution. These actions, along with other measures, contributed to the country's success in improving air quality and reducing pollution levels.

Invested in reforestation and afforestation programmes

China has invested in several reforestation and afforestation programmes as part of its efforts to reduce pollution. One notable example is the Great Green Wall, a multi-decade initiative aimed at combating desertification and soil erosion by creating a protective belt of forests. The project, also known as the Three Norths Shelterbelt Development Program, was designed to plant nearly 90 million acres of new forest in a band stretching 2,800 miles across northern China. It is considered one of the most ambitious ecological restoration projects ever undertaken.

In addition to the Great Green Wall, China has implemented other programmes to increase its forest cover. For instance, in 1999, China launched the Grain for Green Programme, which aimed to convert steeply sloped or ecologically fragile farmland into forests or grasslands. Under this programme, farmers were provided with subsidies or compensation to stop cultivation and allow for natural forest regeneration.

China has also made international commitments to support reforestation and combat illegal deforestation. At the United Nations Climate Conference in 2009, China pledged to increase its forest stock to 1.3 billion by 2020. Additionally, at the CoP26 climate conference in Glasgow, China and the United States jointly recognised that ending illegal deforestation would contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement.

To further support its reforestation efforts, China has invested in green financing initiatives. For example, the country has published guides on green lending and risk control in overseas lending and has been mobilising public and private funds for forest conservation. China's State Forestry Administration has also begun collaborating on projects aimed at restoring native species, working with organisations such as the Climate Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA).

Overall, China's investment in reforestation and afforestation programmes has been significant, with expenditures exceeding $100 billion. These efforts have contributed to the country's progress in reducing pollution and improving air quality.

Introduced the Air Pollution Action Plan in 2013

In 2013, China experienced some of its highest pollution levels to date, and public awareness and criticism reached new heights. In response, the Chinese government introduced the Air Pollution Action Plan, also known as the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP). This plan was China's most influential environmental policy and helped the nation make significant improvements in its air quality between 2013 and 2017.

The Air Pollution Action Plan set specific targets to improve air quality by the end of 2017. It outlined ten tasks that needed to be completed to achieve these goals, including optimising the industrial structure, accelerating technological advancements, and establishing early warning and emergency monitoring systems.

One of the key targets of the plan was to reduce PM2.5 levels (atmospheric particulate matter) in major cities nationwide by more than 10% relative to 2012 levels. For some of the most heavily polluted areas, such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta, the plan aimed to reduce PM2.5 levels by 25% in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, 20% in the Yangtze River Delta, and 15% in the Pearl River Delta by 2017.

To achieve these targets, the Chinese government implemented various strategies, including prohibiting new coal-fired power plants in the target regions and requiring existing coal plants to reduce emissions or switch to natural gas. They also increased renewable energy generation, with renewable sources making up more than a quarter of energy generated in China in 2017. Additionally, they reduced iron and steel-making capacity in the industry and implemented measures to control vehicle emissions in large cities, such as restricting the number of cars on the road.

The Air Pollution Action Plan also placed a focus on transparency and accountability in government reporting of air quality statistics. China built a nationwide network of air pollution monitors and made the data publicly available. By March 2017, there were over 5000 monitoring stations in China.

The Air Pollution Action Plan was successful in meeting its targets, and China saw a significant reduction in pollution levels and associated health risks. For example, in Beijing, PM2.5 levels were reduced by 33%, from 89.5µg/m³ to 60µg/m³. This improvement in air quality is estimated to have added about 2 years to the average life expectancy in China, assuming these reductions are sustained.

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