Beijing to Spend Billions on Pollution Alleviation in 2017

Beijing will spend RMB 18.2 billion (USD 2.6 billion) on pollution alleviation in 2017, although the municipal government has only set its PM2.5 air quality goal at an average level of 60, over twice the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The government indicated that it will limit the use of diesel vehicles within the Sixth Ring Road; removing 300,000 older vehicles from the road; and building 3,000 more electric car charging stations around the city. We don't really see how that adds up to RMB 18.2 billion, but um, ok.

The government also set an average PM2.5 level of 60, whereas the WHO standard is 20-25. "'We will work hard to keep PM2.5 at an annual average of around 60 micrograms per cubic meter,'" Beijing Mayor Cai Qi told state-run media.

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Photo: Inhabitat

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