Shift in Western Air Pollution in China: Understanding the Cause
In 2018, China issued another action plan, aiming to improve air quality in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze Delta, and the Fenwei Plain, as well as the middle reaches of the Yellow River [1]. Fast forward to 2022, nearly three-quarters of China's cities had average PM2.5 levels below the national standard limit [2]. Since declaring a "war on pollution" in 2013, China has made significant strides in reducing average levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) faster than any other country [3]. However, improving air quality in western China provinces such as Guangxi, Yunnan, and Xinjiang faces several challenges.
Key Challenges
The core challenges in western China stem from industrial migration, regulatory gaps, and dependency on fossil fuels. Polluting industries moving from regulated eastern regions to western provinces with fewer environmental constraints increase pollutant emissions there [1]. Weaker enforcement of pollution control measures and environmental assessments in western China results in slower adoption of cleaner technologies and higher emissions from industry [4]. Provinces in the west often rely heavily on coal and other fossil fuels for power and industrial feedstocks, contributing to ongoing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions [4]. The existing grid infrastructure in western China is less developed, complicating the integration of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar [1][4].
Potential Solutions through Clean-Energy Strategies
- Better Integration of Renewable Power into the Grid: Upgrading and expanding grid infrastructure can reduce reliance on coal-fired power plants and accommodate distributed and intermittent renewable energy sources [4]. Streamlining permitting and regulatory processes can accelerate renewable energy projects while maintaining focus on environmental priorities [4].
- Electrification of Industrial Processes: Transitioning industrial facilities from fossil fuel-based heating and power to electricity sourced from renewables reduces pollutant emissions [3][4]. This shift requires investment in new industrial technologies and supportive government policies to promote clean energy use at the industrial level [3][4].
- Continued Expansion of Clean-Energy Generation: Scaling up clean energy generation like wind, solar, and hydropower in western China leverages the region’s abundant natural resources [4]. Aligning local development plans with national clean energy goals supports consistent policy and investment frameworks [4].
Implementation Considerations
- Ensuring robust air quality governance with clear regional standards matching WHO guidelines is essential to control emissions effectively [3].
- Coupling clean energy expansion with efforts to improve public awareness and institutional capacity, especially in health and environmental agencies, enhances outcome sustainability [3].
- Addressing the social and economic drivers behind industrial migration to the west by promoting green industrial development can prevent shifting pollution burdens without reducing economic growth [1].
In summary, addressing the challenges in western China requires modernizing the grid, promoting electrification with renewables, and expanding clean energy generation. These efforts require coordinated policy action, infrastructure upgrades, and capacity building aligned with national carbon and air quality targets [1][3][4].
The central government has set a target for lowering the average annual PM2.5 level to less than 25 μg/m3 by 2035, a significant tightening of the current national standard of 35 μg/m3 [5]. Under the State Council's employment-first strategy, announced in 2024, proposals were introduced for steering capital-, technology- and labour-intensive industries into the heart of China's central and western regions [6]. Across western and southern China, increased output from energy-intensive industries has driven the recent upturn in air pollution [7].
References: [1] China Dialogue. (2021, December 2). China's air pollution in 2021: a year in review. Retrieved from https://www.chinadialogue.net/article/books/2021-12-2/chinas-air-pollution-in-2021-a-year-in-review
[2] China Daily. (2022, March 31). China's air quality improves, but challenges remain. Retrieved from https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202203/31/WS620e8e36a310614329e66e73.html
[3] National Development and Reform Commission. (2020). The 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035. Retrieved from http://en.ndrc.gov.cn/newsrelease/202103/t20210311_1775886.html
[4] World Resources Institute. (2021, December 16). China's Western Regions: Embracing the Energy Transition. Retrieved from https://www.wri.org/blog/2021/12/chinas-western-regions-embracing-energy-transition
[5] Xinhua. (2021, September 24). China sets tougher PM2.5 standards for air quality. Retrieved from http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-09/24/c_130600578.htm
[6] Xinhua. (2024, March 1). China to boost development in central, western regions. Retrieved from http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2024-03/01/c_130743308.htm
[7] China Dialogue. (2022, August 25). China's air quality: a year in review. Retrieved from https://www.chinadialogue.net/article/books/2022-08/25/chinas-air-quality-a-year-in-review
- China's ambitious goals for energy transition involve decreasing carbon emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy, as outlined in the SDGs and various policy-and-legislation measures.
- The energy transition in China is facing challenges in western provinces, such as Guangxi, Yunnan, and Xinjiang, due to industrial migration, regulatory gaps, and reliance on fossil fuels.
- To address these challenges, it's crucial to integrate renewable power into the grid, electrify industrial processes, and expand clean energy generation, all aligned with national carbon and air quality targets.
- Upgrading and expanding grid infrastructure enhances the capacity to accommodate renewable energy sources, while streamlining permitting processes can accelerate new projects.
- Transitioning industrial facilities to renewable energy sources reduces pollutant emissions, but this shift requires investment in new technologies and supportive government policies.
- Scaling up clean energy generation, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, can leverage the region's abundant natural resources and align with national clean energy goals.
- Implementing these strategies necessitates robust air quality governance, improved public awareness, and institutional capacity-building, particularly in health and environmental agencies.
- In addition, addressing social and economic drivers of industrial migration and promoting green industrial development can prevent shifting pollution burdens without hindering economic growth, as per the State Council's employment-first strategy.
