Beijing's Air Pollution Peaks In Winter

Beijing has long been notorious for its air pollution, earning the moniker Airpocalypse due to its poor air quality. The city's rapid economic growth, population increase, and surging number of vehicles have put immense pressure on its environment, particularly its air quality. While Beijing has made significant strides in improving air quality in recent years, it still faces challenges. This paragraph will explore the factors contributing to Beijing's air pollution and the measures undertaken to mitigate this issue.

Industrial emissions from heavy industry

Beijing has been battling air pollution for over a decade, with the city's government implementing a range of measures to tackle the issue. While these measures have shown some success, industrial emissions from heavy industry remain a significant contributor to Beijing's air pollution.

Heavy industry enterprises in northern China emit excessive amounts of pollutants, particularly sulphur dioxide and particulate matter, which are the main ingredients of haze. The manufacturing of iron and steel, cement plants, coal combustion, and the refinement of petroleum have been identified as the primary sources of particulate matter, leading to wintertime smog in Beijing. The suspension of heavy industry production may provide temporary relief, but it does not address the root cause of the problem.

China has established stringent laws to curb industrial pollutant emissions, but the implementation has been challenging. The country has been transitioning to a "low-carbon" economy, with a focus on electrifying its transport sector and promoting the use of clean energy sources such as gas. However, China has not released a cap on coal capacity, coal generation, or coal emissions, and its gas consumption has increased significantly in recent years.

The Chinese government classifies industries such as steel, coal power, chemicals, non-ferrous metal smelting, and petrochemicals as "dual-high" or "two high" due to their high energy consumption and emissions. These industries have been responsible for a significant portion of China's increasing coal consumption and carbon intensity. Despite the country's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2060, investment in coal-based projects continues, contributing to more industrial emissions.

To address the issue of industrial emissions from heavy industry in Beijing, a comprehensive approach is necessary. This includes stricter enforcement of existing laws, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, improving industrial processes, and reducing the demand for carbon-intensive products. By tackling the root causes of industrial emissions, Beijing can make significant progress in its battle against air pollution.

Traffic fumes from crowded roads

Beijing has been notorious for its poor air quality, with dramatic economic growth, urbanisation, and a surge in the number of motor vehicles contributing to a deterioration in air quality. The city has been dubbed the home of the "Airpocalypse", with industrial emissions from heavy industries such as coal power, steel, cement, and glass manufacturing in the surrounding province of Hebei causing air pollution episodes.

To tackle this issue, the Beijing Municipal Government launched a set of urgent measures, including laws and enforcement mechanisms, systematic planning, strict local standards, and high levels of public engagement. Old, polluting cars were scrapped, and the frequency of inspections for those still on the road was increased. Standards on emissions from diesel trucks were tightened, and the flow of truck traffic through the city was controlled, with lorries ordered to use beltways to bypass heavily populated areas.

Beijing has also reintroduced bike-sharing schemes and expanded its subway system to encourage residents to opt for more sustainable modes of transportation. The city has demonstrated a commitment to sustainable mobility, with a focus on urban rail expansion, and has set an example for other cities grappling with similar challenges.

Despite these efforts, Beijing's air pollution levels remain a concern, with the average PM2.5 level still six times higher than the World Health Organization's guideline. The cost of implementing further policies poses ongoing obstacles, with carbon markets and environmental taxes emerging as potential tools to address this issue.

Coal consumption, especially in winter

Beijing has been taking steps to improve its air quality, with a particular focus on reducing coal consumption. The city has implemented a range of measures, including limiting the use of coal-fired boilers, providing cleaner fuels for households, and restructuring industries to reduce emissions. Despite these efforts, air pollution in Beijing remains a significant issue, especially during the winter months when coal consumption increases.

Beijing's winter air pollution is largely driven by the increased demand for heating, with coal-powered heating systems being a major source of emissions. In addition, the city's geographical location and weather patterns during winter can contribute to the concentration of pollutants, leading to smog and reduced air quality.

During the winter of 2018-2019, coal consumption in the six provinces surrounding Beijing increased by 13%, according to data from Fenwei Energy Information. This rebound in coal consumption led to a corresponding increase in air pollution levels, with the region experiencing a 6.5% rise in pollution compared to the previous year. The increase in coal consumption was driven by a rebound in industrial production, with steel, non-ferrous metals, cement, and thermal power industries experiencing significant growth after a decline in the previous winter.

To address the issue of coal consumption and air pollution, Beijing has set ambitious targets for reducing coal-fired power use and increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix. The city's ecological and environmental protection plan for the 2021-2025 period aims to further reduce coal consumption, with a cap set at 1 million tons per year. Beijing also plans to modify existing coal-powered heating facilities in rural areas and increase the use of electric vehicles, with a goal of making the city's bus fleet entirely electric.

While Beijing has made strides in reducing coal consumption and improving air quality, the challenge of maintaining these improvements during the winter months persists. The city's efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources and reduce emissions from coal combustion are ongoing, with the recognition that long-term planning away from coal and heavy industry is necessary for sustained progress in air quality.

Population and economic growth

Beijing, China's capital city, has been notorious for its poor air quality, earning it the moniker "Airpocalypse". The city's rapid economic growth, population increase, and surging number of vehicles have put immense pressure on its environment, particularly its air quality. Beijing's GDP, population, and number of vehicles have sharply increased by 1078%, 74%, and 335% respectively in the last two decades.

The economic boom has led to a surge in the number of motor vehicles on Beijing's roads, with the number doubling to 3.3 million, and nearly 1200 new vehicles being added each day. Vehicle emissions contribute to nearly 70% of the city's air pollution. The four most dangerous pollutants emitted by vehicles are sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Newly introduced vehicles tend to have lower emission standards, emitting more pollutants than older vehicles.

The transport sector is a critical part of the problem and the solution, as population and car ownership in the city continue to rise. Beijing has reintroduced bike-sharing schemes and expanded its subway system to encourage sustainable mobility and reduce car usage. The city has also implemented a series of comprehensive air pollution control programs, targeting different sources of pollution, such as industrial emissions, coal combustion, construction, and household fuel burning.

Beijing's rapid economic growth has also resulted in a dramatic increase in manufacturing output, contributing to air pollution. The city's surrounding topography, with mountains trapping pollution within city limits, and seasonal weather patterns, further exacerbate the problem. Spring and summer tend to have worse air quality due to higher temperature, humidity, and winds carrying pollutants from industrialized southern regions.

While Beijing has made significant strides in improving its air quality, challenges remain. The average PM2.5 level is still above the World Health Organization's guidelines, and heavy pollution episodes, though less frequent and intense, continue to occur. The cost of implementing policies and the need for more cost-effective approaches are ongoing obstacles in Beijing's battle against air pollution.

Individual wealth and car ownership

Beijing's air pollution is largely attributed to the enormous economic boom, the surge in the number of motorised vehicles, population growth, output of manufacturing, and natural reasons, such as the city's topography and seasonal weather.

The amplification of wealth meant a rise in the middle-class population, which increased the number of vehicles on Beijing's roads. There are around 3.3 million motor vehicles operating in Beijing, with an estimated 1200 new vehicles added each day. The combustion of gasoline or diesel fuel in vehicle engines produces a variety of harmful chemical emissions, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. Vehicle emissions contribute to about 70% of the air pollution in Beijing.

To tackle this, Beijing introduced a set of measures, including laws, enforcement mechanisms, systematic planning, strict local standards, and public engagement. The city also focused on controlling the flow of truck traffic, ordering lorries to use beltways to bypass heavily populated areas. Beijing also reintroduced bike-sharing schemes and expanded its subway system.

In 2013, Beijing announced a five-year action plan to address severe air pollution and promote sustainable growth. The plan included targets, tightened emissions standards, and closed loopholes in enforcement. It also targeted the transport sector, with a city-wide lottery system for license plates for new fossil fuel-burning car purchases, while encouraging citizens to switch to electric vehicles through various incentives.

Beijing has also implemented roadside tree plantations to trap pollutants, and encouraged the setup of electric charging stations. As a result of these measures, by the end of 2017, cleaner air was visible, with reductions in PM2.5, sulphur dioxide, and nitrous dioxide concentrations.

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