Shanghai's Air Pollution: Worse Than Beijing's?

Shanghai's air pollution is worse than Beijing's due to a combination of industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels. As an economic hub and home to many industrial blocks, Shanghai has recorded levels of PM2.5 exceeding those in Beijing, which has seen improvements due to widespread bans on household coal burning and the shift of industrial output away from the surrounding cities. While Beijing has long been considered the world's air pollution capital, Shanghai's air quality has deteriorated, impacting the health and well-being of its residents. With China's efforts to reduce air pollution and the complex interplay of factors influencing pollution levels, the race to improve air quality in these cities remains a pressing challenge.

Shanghai's suburban industrial blocks

Shanghai, the giant “Head of the Dragon” at the mouth of the Yangtze River Delta, supports a population of over 20 million. The city is divided into two main areas: Puxi and Pudong. Puxi, located on the west side of the Huangpu River, is the older part of the city, while Pudong, on the east side, is newer. Pudong New Area, governed by seven districts, includes suburbs, satellite towns, and rural areas.

Shanghai has long been a centre of industry and commerce, and its industrial output increased by 94.2% between 1949 and 1952. In 1964, the city's administrative divisions were rearranged to 10 urban districts and 10 counties. Shanghai became a centre for radical leftism during the 1950s and 1960s due to its industrial prowess. Today, it is a global hub for finance and innovation, with its six largest industries—retail, finance, IT, real estate, machine manufacturing, and automotive manufacturing—comprising about half of the city's GDP.

Shanghai's rapid development has resulted in the emergence of suburban industrial blocks. One example is the Jinqiao Export Processing Zone, which offers tax incentives to large multinational companies. Jinqiao boasts a mix of modern apartments and traditional homes, as well as convenient access to amenities such as international schools, sports grounds, supermarkets, and parks. Another example is Kangqiao, an industrial zone in the south of Pudong that is popular among expats due to its international schools, supermarkets, and rural feel.

The industrial and economic activities in Shanghai's suburban blocks contribute to the city's air pollution levels. While Beijing has historically been considered the world's air pollution capital, Shanghai's economic hubs have recently recorded higher levels of PM2.5, a measure of fine particulate matter in the air. The surrounding manufacturing bases and industrial output have led to increasing pollution levels in Shanghai, even as Beijing has seen improvements due to widespread bans on household coal burning and stricter industrial emission standards.

Beijing's natural vs. Shanghai's human-made pollution

Beijing's air pollution has been a cause for concern for many years, with the city previously regarded as the world's air pollution capital. However, recent data reveals that Shanghai's air pollution levels now exceed those of Beijing. This shift can be attributed to various factors, including the impact of natural and human-made pollution sources in each city.

Beijing's air pollution is influenced by a combination of natural and human-made factors. One significant natural factor is the city's topography. Surrounded by mountains, Beijing often experiences trapped pollution, particularly during seasons with higher temperature and humidity levels. The city's geographical location also contributes to the problem, as winds carry pollutants from industrialized southern regions, exacerbating the smog.

On the human-made pollution front, Beijing has taken several measures to combat its air quality issues. The city has witnessed a significant shift from coal to natural gas, with millions of homes and businesses making the transition. This change has had a positive impact on reducing pollution levels. Additionally, Beijing has implemented afforestation measures, and China, including Beijing, is the world's largest producer of electric cars, further contributing to the reduction of air pollution. The city has also shut down polluting factories and phased out certain pollution-intensive projects, such as steel and cement production.

Shanghai, on the other hand, is an economic hub surrounded by manufacturing bases. The city's air pollution is primarily driven by human activities, with year-on-year increases in PM2.5 levels. As industrial output shifted away from Beijing, Shanghai experienced rising emissions, particularly in the steel, cement, and coal sectors. The concentration of manufacturing and trade activities in Shanghai has contributed to higher levels of fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, exceeding those in Beijing.

While Beijing continues to battle air pollution, its efforts have shown progress, with the city dropping below the national average for fine particulate matter during the winter of 2018. Shanghai, despite its human-made pollution challenges, has also implemented measures to improve air quality. However, the year-on-year increases in PM2.5 levels in Shanghai highlight the ongoing struggle to balance economic activities and environmental sustainability.

In summary, Beijing's air pollution has been influenced by a combination of natural factors, such as topography and geographical location, and human-made factors, including industrial emissions and vehicle pollution. Shanghai's pollution, on the other hand, is predominantly driven by human activities, with economic hubs like Shanghai grappling with the challenge of managing pollution levels while maintaining their status as centres of trade and manufacturing.

Beijing's vehicle emissions

Beijing has been known as the world's most polluted city, but its air quality has improved in recent years. Vehicle emissions have been identified as a significant contributor to air pollution in Beijing. The large and growing population of Beijing, which stands at over 21.5 million permanent residents, contributes to the high number of vehicles in the city. In 2019, there were over 6.4 million vehicles in Beijing, with the number increasing by 1200 each day. This has resulted in vehicles contributing to almost 70% of Beijing's polluted air.

To combat vehicle emissions, Beijing has implemented several measures. Emission and fuel standards have been upgraded twice, and old vehicles have been phased out, with 2.95 million removed from the roads. The adoption of electric vehicles is also expected to reduce emissions by 20-41% by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period. These measures are crucial for improving Beijing's air quality and reducing the health risks associated with vehicle emissions.

While Beijing's vehicle emissions have improved, other regions, such as Shanghai, are now facing more severe air pollution. Shanghai's economic activity and manufacturing bases contribute to higher levels of PM2.5 pollution, exceeding those in Beijing. However, it is important to note that Beijing still faces significant air quality challenges, and addressing these issues remains a priority for China's pollution control efforts.

Coal-burning industries

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, with coal-burning power plants, steel and iron firms, construction materials firms, and chemical firms being the primary consumers. In 2014, the country's coal consumption was more than the rest of the world combined, and it accounted for almost 50% of the national total. The burning of coal releases toxic substances such as arsenic, fluorine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and mercury, which have severe impacts on health and the environment.

Shanghai, China's largest city, has been experiencing air pollution levels worse than Beijing, with PM2.5 levels exceeding those in the capital. This is partly due to the surrounding manufacturing bases, which have driven increases in emissions in central and southern China, including the steel, cement, and coal sectors. While Beijing has implemented aggressive policies to improve its air quality, such as the winter action plan, Shanghai and other economic hubs are now facing the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

The steel industry in China is a significant consumer of coal, particularly metallurgical coal, and the country's increasing demand for high-quality steel has led to a boost in coal production. The coal-burning power plants sector is the largest coal-consuming industry, accounting for 53% of national coal consumption. The iron and steel industry, on the other hand, accounts for 18% of national coal consumption.

To address the environmental and health concerns associated with coal consumption, China has been taking steps to transition towards cleaner energy sources. The Chinese government has promoted technological upgrades and energy structure adjustments, aiming for more efficient coal utilization. Additionally, China has established a national carbon trade market to encourage enterprises to reduce their carbon emissions. However, the construction of new coal-fired power plants continues, and China's clean energy progress may be undermined by the mining industry's investments in coal-power projects.

While coal-burning industries have been a significant contributor to air pollution in Shanghai and other parts of China, the country is facing the dual challenge of sustaining economic growth and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The recent resurgence in coal-fired power plant construction highlights the complexities and difficulties in achieving sustainable energy goals.

Industrial emissions standards

Shanghai's air pollution is worse than Beijing's due to various factors, including its proximity to manufacturing bases and industrial output. While Beijing has seen improvements in air quality due to the government's winter action plan, which includes coal heating bans and stricter industrial emission standards, Shanghai has not benefited from the same targeted measures.

At the international level, several agreements and protocols aim to reduce air pollution through standards and control mechanisms. For example, the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 is a binding commitment for industrialized nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement of 2015 seeks to limit global temperature rise and enhance climate resilience. Regional initiatives, such as the Geneva Convention (CLRTAP) in Europe and North America, also address transboundary pollution.

Within countries, specific regulations and directives are implemented to control industrial emissions. In the United States, the Clean Air Act authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set national emissions standards for various pollution sources, including industrial facilities, power plants, and motor vehicles. The EPA collects data on technology performance and sets standards based on emissions performance and cost considerations.

Similarly, the European Union's Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) regulates emissions from industrial installations through the application of Best Available Techniques (BAT). National regulations within the EU, such as Spain's PRTR-Spain Registry, provide detailed information on industrial pollutants, while certain communities like Catalonia have established additional sector-specific restrictions.

To effectively address industrial air pollution, continuous monitoring of emissions is essential. This can be achieved through advanced technological solutions, ensuring that standards are enforced and that industries comply with established limits. By combining international agreements, national regulations, and local initiatives, the fight against air pollution becomes more comprehensive and effective, ultimately contributing to a sustainable future and improved public health outcomes.

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