Are Chinas anti-pollution policies

already bearing fruit?

Pollution in Beijing, pic: Michael Henley (Flickr CC)

By Graham Land Jul 24, 2015

Ive written plenty especially in recent weeks on Chinas air pollution problem and
efforts to improve air quality in the countrys choked provinces and megacities. Just
checkhere, here and here.
Industrial and automotive smog in places like Beijing is simultaneously a means to
and a result of economic growth in China. Its also a serious health issue, which can
end up costing the Chinese economy in terms of worker productivity, health care,
increased sick days, etc. A sick worker is not a happy or productive one. Neither is a

dead one.
Despite recent state recognition of the dire state of affairs and subsequent efforts to
curb pollution in the PRC, the outlook hasnt looked promising for the next 10 to 15
years and thats from Chinas own minister for environmental protection, Chen
Jining. Yet amidst all the doom and gloom, a sliver of good news has managed to
penetrate the smog.
Chinas air is getting significantly better.
From China Dialogue:
Hao Jiming, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and an
expert on atmospheric pollution, said the improvement is down to
tough law enforcement and anti-pollution policies taking effect.
Energy use is becoming cleaner, more efficient and more sustainable, he
added. Coal consumption, which fell in 2014, has become an important
indicator of success in dealing with air pollution.
According to Greenpeace, during the first half of this year, air quality has improved in
a majority of Chinese cities. PM2 (particulate matter) levels fell by an average of 16%
compared to the same period last year. While levels are still far above the World
Health Organizations recommended 10 micrograms per cubic meter, in a country
where air quality often become hazardous, this is good news.
Chinas decidedly less stringent goal of 35 micrograms per cubic meter was only
achieved by five of the 31 provinces ranked by Greenpeace East Asia.
Its the economy, stupid
While Greenpeaces headline credits the policies of the Chinese state, a piece in
the Wall Street Journal claims that the governments war on pollution has also been
aided by an economic slowdown, albeit one that is partially the result of state policies:
To accomplish its goals, economists have said the government must let
economic growthwhich has already slowed to 7%sag further in a
transition that will see workers laid off but more money spent on
environmental controls and better-quality manufacturing. []
Interviews with executives, local officials and pollution experts show the
government taking a multipronged approach, squeezing out small-time
industrial producers that contribute to smog and overcapacity while
tightening inspections of big producers and forcing them to upgrade
equipment.

Miners shovel coal at a mine in Chinas Hebei province. Pic: AP.

What can we learn by this recent, positive turn in events?

It turns out that the very people who have benefited from Chinas massive growth its
new middle classes dont want to live somewhere where they cant breathe the air.
And when a big enough section of society becomes economically empowered, its
influence grows.
It also shows that when a government even one that has had immense difficulties
enforcing environmental regulations becomes determined enough to crack down on
environmental hazards, it can get results.
According to Chen Jining, in a speech delivered to the National Peoples Congress
Standing Committee last month, government spending, new tech and inter-agency
cooperation have proven to be effective.
So did law enforcement. In 2014 some 3,400 companies and 3,800 construction sites
were discovered to have violated environmental laws and 8,500 suspects were arrested
in 4,500 criminal cases with 3,100 workshops closed.
Posted by Thavam