A Breath Of Fresh Air: Learning From China's Fight Against Pollution

As India grapples with a growing air quality crisis, it's crucial to examine solutions that have proven effective elsewhere. The contexts are of course different, but the strategic direction is informing.  China, once notorious for its smog-filled skies, offers a compelling case study. In 2013, facing a similar situation to India today, China’s State Council issued a sweeping "Action Plan for Air Pollution Prevention and Control". This ambitious plan, rooted in the principles of sustainable development and public health, offers valuable lessons for India as it charts its own path towards cleaner air. At the heart of China's strategy is a multi-pronged approach that tackles pollution at its source. Recognising the detrimental role of coal, the plan prioritised the elimination of small-scale coal-fired boilers, pushing industries towards cleaner alternatives like natural gas and electricity. This echoes the need for India to diversify its energy mix and promote renewable energy sources, reducing dependence on polluting coal-fired power plants. There is much happening in India already, but more is needed. Furthermore, the plan emphasized stricter emission standards for industries, coupled with the phasing out of outdated, polluting technologies. This approach highlights the importance of technological advancement and innovation in mitigating pollution, urging a shift towards cleaner production processes. India can leverage this lesson by encouraging industries to adopt cutting-edge technologies and practices that minimize environmental impact. Even on energy, when you burn coal, carbon is unavoidably emitted. However, what can be avoided is non-carbon emissions like particulate matter, sulfur dioxide (SO?), and nitrogen oxides (NO?). China’s plan didn't stop at industrial reforms; it also addressed the crucial issue of vehicular emissions and construction. By promoting fuel quality improvements and pushing for the adoption of new energy vehicles, China laid the foundations for the electric vehicle revolution. This is a vital strategy for India, where vehicular emissions play a significant role in deteriorating air quality. Investing in public transport infrastructure, incentivizing electric vehicles, and implementing stricter emission standards for vehicles are critical steps in this direction. In construction, China required construction sites to be fully enclosed, prohibiting open construction waste, and mandating measures to control dust from vehicles and roads on construction sites – amongst other measures to advance green buildings, material and construction. Beyond immediate measures, China's plan underscored the importance of long-term structural changes. It called for adjusting industrial layouts, promoting energy efficiency in buildings and industries, and encouraging a circular economy that prioritizes resource recycling and reuse. This approach highlighted the need for sustainable urban planning, resource management, and a shift towards a greener economic model. India can learn from this by incorporating environmental considerations into its developmental policies, promoting sustainable practices, and investing in a future powered by clean technologies. Crucially, the Chinese experience emphasizes the power of collaboration. The plan stresses a regional cooperation mechanism, bringing together provincial governments to tackle shared environmental challenges. This cooperative approach is essential for India, where air pollution transcends state boundaries, requiring a unified national effort to address the issue effectively. Now, of course, there are many differences with China. Our political economy and our stage of development and the fiscal space for India are obvious ones. However, it is good to see examples of where tough problems like air quality are addressed successfully. In 5 years, for instance, China’s PM 10 reduced by 10% and Beijing’s PM 2.5 went down to 58 µg/m³, marking significant progress from the 2013 levels of 89.5 µg/m³ - even though it was still lower than the World Health Organisation’s guidelines of 10 µg/m³ at the time. China's journey towards cleaner air demonstrates that tackling air pollution requires a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach that combines technological innovation, policy reforms, and a collective commitment to environmental sustainability. India, facing its own air quality crisis, can draw inspiration from China's experience and tailor these lessons to its specific context. By prioritizing clean energy, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering collaboration, India can pave the way for a future where clean air is not a luxury but a right enjoyed by all. We need more “blue-sky” days, and we need to see more stars at night. The author is Trustee, Environmental Defense India Foundation