Average Concentration of Ultrafine Dust in China Rises Compared to Same Period Last Year... First Increase in 10 Years Since 2013

A survey has revealed that the air quality in China, which had been steadily improving, has worsened again for the first time in 10 years.

On October 30th, the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, was covered in thick smog, appearing hazy. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 22nd (local time), the 'Energy and Clean Air Research Center,' a research institute based in Finland, announced that the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) across China from January to November this year increased by 3.6% compared to the same period last year. This deterioration is the first since 2013, marking a 10-year interval.

Previously, China declared a 'war on pollution' in 2014, implementing real-time air quality monitoring and imposing strict penalties on factories and local governments that failed to improve air pollution. As a result, WP reported that the average concentration of fine dust in 2021 was 40% lower than in 2013.

The reason for the renewed deterioration in air quality is that, following large-scale power outages and energy shortages in 2021, the Chinese government has prioritized energy security above all else. Coal-fired power generation has increased, and energy demand has risen due to the severe winter cold.

Since the beginning of this month, temperatures in northern China have dropped to record lows due to an abnormal cold wave. Consequently, power demand reached an all-time high on the 17th, with approximately 70% of household electricity demand met by coal-fired power generation, according to local media reports.

As air quality has worsened, the State Council of China announced the 'Action Plan for the Continuous Improvement of Air Quality' on the 7th, aiming to reduce PM 2.5 concentrations by 10% compared to 2020 by 2025. To achieve this, coal consumption will be strictly controlled, with plans to reduce coal consumption in the capital region, including Beijing, Hebei, and Tianjin, by about 10% compared to 2020 by 2025.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.