Smog, Smog, Go Away, You’ve Already Exceeded Your Quota Today
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A recent policy jointly issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment with five other ministries and seven provincial-level governments set ambitious standards for annual air pollution during peak seasons. The plan prohibits Beijing from more than one “heavy pollution” day between October and December. The problem? Beijing has already exceeded this limit for the 2020-2021 season.
What does the plan include?
The plan, called the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Fenwei Plain and surrounding regions 2020-2021 autumn and winter comprehensive control action plan for air pollution, sets air pollution targets for China’s industrial belt during peak winter emission seasons. Beijing is allotted one day of heavy pollution during this period. Heavy pollution is defined as PM 2.5 levels over 45 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m3). For context, that is an AQI of about 124 on a US air quality index scale.
However, the plan differentiates emission standards based on region. For the entire region included within the plan, the average daily benchmark from October to December is less than PM 2.5 levels of 63 mg/m3 (roughly within the 150-200 AQI range), with no more than five days exceeding these levels. From January through March, the region must maintain PM 2.5 levels below 86 mg/m3 (still roughly in the 150-200 AQI range) and not exceed 12 days of heavy pollution.advertisement
Policymakers are walking a tightrope when approaching air pollution standards. The approach adopts a “differentiated emissions reduction” approach in the case of heavy pollution, which would adjust targets in an attempt to balance industrial production and environmental goals. The plan noticeably enforces the highest standards for Beijing; an approach that’s great for Beijing residents and less great for surrounding regions.
How’s Beijing doing?
Beijing already exceeded its PM2.5 restriction on Oct 10, 20, and 31. While that may sound bad, Beijing has also dramatically improved its approach to air quality control. In 2019, PM 2.5 pollution dropped by 11 percent reaching an average of 42 mg/m3. The takeaway: Beijing is making progress overall, but policymakers are continuing to apply pressure.
China’s “blue sky campaign,” a broad directive to clean up air quality, will end in 2020. This campaign includes business reform, phasing out or upgrading coal-burning heating systems, and restricting a variety of emission-producing practices. The 2020-2021 proposal is a component of achieving these goals.
Image: Brady Bellini (via UNSPLASH)
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