Environmental program: China's air is getting better

When it comes to clean air, you do not usually think of China. Although the rapid pace of industrialization has boosted the country's economy, it has damaged the environment.

In 2014, one study showed that only in three of the 74 sites studied did the government set maximum levels for air pollutants. Pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, was the price of economic growth. Meanwhile, the communist leadership has rethought.

A new study underlines that plan-based environmental protection is having an effect. Researchers have studied emissions from thermal power plants in China - they are considered the biggest factor in air quality. The result: According to Zhifu Mi of University College London, greenhouse gas emissions from such heat and power producers declined sharply between 2014 and 2017.

more on the subject

Significantly less smogThe miracle of Beijing

The researchers examined power plants that generate energy with coal, oil, natural gas and biogas. The annual sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions have therefore fallen in the study period between 65 and 72 percent, the researchers write in the journal "Nature Energy".

In 2014, the figures were 2.2 (sulfur dioxide), 3.1 (nitrogen oxide) and 0.5 (fine dust) million tons per year. In 2017, they achieved lower volumes: around 0.8 (sulfur dioxide), 1.3 (nitrous oxide) and 0.1 (fine dust) million tonnes per year were emitted.

Thermal power plants are among the world's largest air polluters

The lower emissions from thermal power plants include a program that aims to further reduce the air pollutants of Chinese plants by 2020. "That's encouraging news from China," the researchers write. Thermal power plants - especially with the fuel coal - belonged to the world's largest air polluters. Research had shown that the bad air can cost people many years of life.

Only a few years ago researchers were pessimistic about the thermal power plants that the air quality in China would improve significantly. However, such estimates date back to before the introduction of environmental rules, the researchers write. Data from the Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) were used for the first time for the new study. This provides very accurate results, the amounts of pollutants are recorded every hour.

more on the subject

Climate protection "China often stacks deep and surpasses itself"

China's efforts should also do the climate good. The country has also improved in this area. With its more than a billion inhabitants, it still tops the list of the highest CO2 sinners. But the country wants to step up its climate protection efforts and fulfill the Paris Climate Agreement.

Just a few weeks ago, a study showed that CO2 emissions could drop much earlier than planned. According to this, the maximum CO2 emissions are already achievable between 2021 and 2025 and not just 2030.

However, independent experts dampened expectations. There are still uncertainties in the calculation, they said. Further environmental and climate protection measures will be necessary. Not only in China.