Air Pollution: China's Most Polluted City

China has been facing severe air pollution, which poses a significant threat to public health. In 2019, China ranked as the 11th dirtiest country in the world, with a population of approximately 1.4 billion people. The country's rapid industrialization, large-scale construction, and high traffic volume have contributed to high levels of air pollution, particularly in its mega-cities. While Beijing, the capital, is often associated with poor air quality, it is not among the 20 most polluted cities in China, according to a 2023 ranking. Instead, Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province holds the distinction of being the most polluted prefecture, with its residents expected to lose an average of 4.3 years of life expectancy due to air pollution. China has invested significant sums to combat this issue, with the Academy for Environmental Planning pledging $277 billion in 2013 to reduce urban air pollution.

The most air-polluted city in China in 2019 was Hotan, Xinjiang

China has long struggled with air pollution, which poses a significant threat to public health. In 2019, the country ranked as the 11th dirtiest in the world. That year, the cleanest city in China in terms of air quality was Linzhi, in Tibet, while the most polluted was Hotan in Xinjiang Province. Hotan recorded a US Air Quality Index (AQI) figure of 179, far above the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended levels.

China's air pollution is caused by a variety of factors, including industrial activities, continuous construction, infrastructure development, and high traffic volume. The country's large-scale use of coal and other fossil fuels is a major contributor, with coal accounting for approximately 66% of China's power. The combustion of coal and fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. These pollutants have been linked to a range of health issues, including asthma, bronchitis, and acute and chronic respiratory symptoms. According to the World Bank, outdoor air pollution in China was causing 350,000 to 400,000 premature deaths annually.

In recent years, China has made significant efforts to reduce air pollution. The government has encouraged the transition from coal to natural gas for power generation and has invested heavily in electric vehicles, with more on the road than any other country. China has also implemented stricter regulations and standards for air quality, leading to notable improvements in some cities. For example, Beijing, which is not among the 20 most polluted cities in China in 2023, experienced its lowest PM2.5 reading on record in August 2019, and is on track to drop out of the top 200 most polluted cities globally.

Despite these efforts, air pollution remains a serious issue in China, with 99.9% of the population still living in areas where annual average particulate pollution levels exceed WHO guidelines. As a result, addressing air pollution continues to be a critical priority for the country, with further reductions in pollution expected to lead to significant gains in life expectancy for Chinese citizens.

Shijiazhuang, Hebei, is China's most polluted prefecture

Shijiazhuang, formerly known as Shimen, is the capital and largest city of China's Hebei Province. It is located in northern China, approximately 266 kilometres southwest of Beijing. As of 2020, the city had a population of over 11 million, with around 6 million in the built-up area. Shijiazhuang experienced rapid growth after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, and its population has more than quadrupled in the last 30 years due to industrialization and infrastructure developments.

Shijiazhuang has a reputation for being one of the most polluted cities in China and, indeed, the world. In 2013, it was ranked as one of the ten most air-polluted cities globally by the National Environmental Analysis released by Tsinghua University and the Asian Development Bank. It was also listed as one of China's ten most polluted cities by "Global Voices China" in the same year. Shijiazhuang's air pollution is largely due to its industrial activities, which include electricity, steel, building materials, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, and coal. Diesel trucks and non-road machinery, which are still significant sources of pollution, are also commonly used in the region.

To address the air pollution issue, Shijiazhuang implemented a three-year plan from 2008 to 2011, which included the development of green areas, new buildings, and an extension of the road network. The city also gained a railway station, airport, and subway system during this period. Despite these efforts, Shijiazhuang remains China's most polluted prefecture, with the average resident losing 4.3 years of life expectancy compared to the WHO guideline.

However, there is some progress in reducing air pollution in China. Since declaring a "war against pollution" in 2014, China has seen a decline in fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), with pollution levels down by 41% compared to 2013. This reduction has resulted in an estimated gain of 2 years of life expectancy for the average Chinese citizen compared to 2013. China has invested significant sums to combat air pollution, with its Academy for Environmental Planning pledging $277 billion in 2013. The government has also enforced stricter regulations and developed action plans to reduce PM2.5 emissions.

China's air pollution is caused by coal, fossil fuels, and vehicle engines

China's air pollution is a pressing issue, with the average person in the country's most polluted prefecture, Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, on track to lose 4.3 years of their life expectancy. While China has made strides in reducing pollution since declaring a "war against pollution" in 2014, the country remains heavily reliant on coal, fossil fuels, and vehicle engines, which are significant contributors to air pollution.

Coal consumption is a major driver of China's air pollution crisis and global CO2 emissions. China's vast coal reserves of 140 billion tons make it an essential component of the country's political economy and energy security. However, the country is facing challenges in transitioning away from coal due to economic and technological obstacles.

Fossil fuels, particularly gasoline and diesel, are widely used in vehicle engines in China, contributing to air pollution. The combustion of these fuels releases harmful emissions, including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrocarbons (HC). The high number of vehicles on the road in China, with a rapid growth rate, exacerbates the problem.

Vehicle engines are a significant source of air pollution in China. In addition to emissions from fossil fuel combustion, vehicles also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM), which are primary air pollutants. The lag in adopting more environmentally friendly fuel standards has hindered efforts to tackle vehicle-induced air pollution.

To address China's air pollution crisis, a comprehensive approach is necessary. This includes enhancing market reforms, investing in renewable energy sources, and implementing more stringent fuel standards for vehicles. By striking a balance between economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability, China can work towards reducing its reliance on coal, fossil fuels, and improving vehicle emissions, ultimately improving the health and life expectancy of its citizens.

In summary, China's air pollution is caused by a combination of factors, including coal consumption, fossil fuel usage in vehicles, and vehicle engine emissions. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving air quality and reducing the adverse health impacts on China's population.

China's government is investing heavily to combat air pollution

China has been making significant progress in reducing air pollution in recent years. In 2014, the country announced a "war against pollution", and since then, its fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) has been on a downward trend. This has resulted in a 41% decrease in pollution levels compared to 2013, leading to a gain of 2 years in the average life expectancy of Chinese citizens.

Chinas government is investing heavily to combat air pollution, recognizing the severe health and environmental impacts. In 2013, China's Academy for Environmental Planning pledged $277 billion to tackle urban air pollution. The government has also been working closely with organizations like the World Bank and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) to secure funding and expertise for its air pollution control programs. These programs focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and emissions control.

One notable initiative is the Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control in Jing-Jin-Ji Program, which leverages the Program for Result (PforR) instrument in the energy sector. This program supports the government's Air Pollution Control Action Plan and the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), emphasizing controlling air pollutants at their source. It has encouraged enterprises to reduce air pollutants and carbon emissions by offering financing for energy efficiency improvements and clean energy investments.

In addition to these financial measures, China has implemented stricter regulations and standards for air quality. The Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution, released in 2013, aimed to reduce PM2.5 levels by over 10% from 2012 to 2017. The government has also introduced aggressive afforestation and reforestation programs, investing over $100 billion in initiatives like the Great Green Wall, which has resulted in the planting of more than 35 billion trees across 12 provinces.

The efforts of the Chinese government and its investments in combating air pollution have yielded positive results. By 2018, 338 cities in China enjoyed good air quality on 79% of days. The average PM2.5 concentrations fell by 33% from 2013 to 2017 in 74 cities, and Beijing experienced its lowest PM2.5 levels on record in August 2019. These improvements have contributed to a potential gain of 2.4 years in the average life expectancy of Chinese citizens.

COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 positively impacted China's air quality

China has long been notorious for its poor air quality, with 99.9% of its 1.4 billion people living in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds the World Health Organisation's (WHO) guideline. The country's most polluted prefecture, Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, has dangerously high pollution levels that are 40% higher than those of the most polluted county in the United States.

However, the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 positively impacted China's air quality. During the lockdown, most industrial activities were halted, and public and personal transport was restricted. This resulted in a drastic reduction in nitrogen dioxide pollution, which decreased by an average of 40% over Chinese cities compared to the same time in 2019. Northern China saw an even more significant decrease, with nitrogen dioxide pollution levels dropping by up to 60% compared to the previous year.

The lockdown measures also led to a reduction in particulate matter pollution, with particles smaller than 2.5 microns decreasing by 35% in northern China. This is particularly notable as these fine particles are considered one of the more dangerous pollutants due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and cause serious health issues. The improvements in air quality during the lockdown were so significant that they were unprecedented since air quality monitoring from satellites began in the 1990s.

While the improvements in air quality during the COVID-19 lockdown were temporary, they demonstrated the potential for stricter emissions regulations to improve air quality in the long term. China has already shown progress in this regard, with overall particulate pollution levels down by 41% in 2022 compared to 2013. As a result, the average Chinese citizen can expect to live two years longer than they would have in 2013 if the reductions in pollution levels are sustained.

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