Air Pollution Control Policies in China: A Retrospective and Prospects
With China’s significant role on pollution emissions and related health damage, deep and up-to-date understanding of China’s air pollution policies is of worldwide relevance. Based on scientific evidence for the evolution of air pollution and the institutional background of environmental governance...
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doaj-84557f239392409589ddb365c6edbb792020-11-25T00:53:17ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1660-46012016-12-011312121910.3390/ijerph13121219ijerph13121219Air Pollution Control Policies in China: A Retrospective and ProspectsYana Jin0Henrik Andersson1Shiqiu Zhang2Institute of Environment and Economy (IoEE), College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100044, ChinaToulouse School of Economics, University of Toulouse Capitole, 31015 Toulouse CEDEX, FranceInstitute of Environment and Economy (IoEE), College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100044, ChinaWith China’s significant role on pollution emissions and related health damage, deep and up-to-date understanding of China’s air pollution policies is of worldwide relevance. Based on scientific evidence for the evolution of air pollution and the institutional background of environmental governance in China, we examine the development of air pollution control policies from the 1980s and onwards. We show that: (1) The early policies, until 2005, were ineffective at reducing emissions; (2) During 2006–2012, new instruments which interact with political incentives were introduced in the 11th Five-Year Plan, and the national goal of reducing total sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions by 10% was achieved. However, regional compound air pollution problems dominated by fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground level ozone (O3) emerged and worsened; (3) After the winter-long PM2.5 episode in eastern China in 2013, air pollution control policies have been experiencing significant changes on multiple fronts. In this work we analyze the different policy changes, the drivers of changes and key factors influencing the effectiveness of policies in these three stages. Lessons derived from the policy evolution have implications for future studies, as well as further reforming the management scheme towards air quality and health risk oriented directions.http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/13/12/1219air pollutioncontrol policyChina |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Yana Jin Henrik Andersson Shiqiu Zhang |
spellingShingle |
Yana Jin Henrik Andersson Shiqiu Zhang Air Pollution Control Policies in China: A Retrospective and Prospects International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health air pollution control policy China |
author_facet |
Yana Jin Henrik Andersson Shiqiu Zhang |
author_sort |
Yana Jin |
title |
Air Pollution Control Policies in China: A Retrospective and Prospects |
title_short |
Air Pollution Control Policies in China: A Retrospective and Prospects |
title_full |
Air Pollution Control Policies in China: A Retrospective and Prospects |
title_fullStr |
Air Pollution Control Policies in China: A Retrospective and Prospects |
title_full_unstemmed |
Air Pollution Control Policies in China: A Retrospective and Prospects |
title_sort |
air pollution control policies in china: a retrospective and prospects |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
issn |
1660-4601 |
publishDate |
2016-12-01 |
description |
With China’s significant role on pollution emissions and related health damage, deep and up-to-date understanding of China’s air pollution policies is of worldwide relevance. Based on scientific evidence for the evolution of air pollution and the institutional background of environmental governance in China, we examine the development of air pollution control policies from the 1980s and onwards. We show that: (1) The early policies, until 2005, were ineffective at reducing emissions; (2) During 2006–2012, new instruments which interact with political incentives were introduced in the 11th Five-Year Plan, and the national goal of reducing total sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions by 10% was achieved. However, regional compound air pollution problems dominated by fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground level ozone (O3) emerged and worsened; (3) After the winter-long PM2.5 episode in eastern China in 2013, air pollution control policies have been experiencing significant changes on multiple fronts. In this work we analyze the different policy changes, the drivers of changes and key factors influencing the effectiveness of policies in these three stages. Lessons derived from the policy evolution have implications for future studies, as well as further reforming the management scheme towards air quality and health risk oriented directions. |
topic |
air pollution control policy China |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/13/12/1219 |
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