How China cleaned up its air pollution – and what that meant for the climate – The Conversation

Report on Air Quality Improvements and Their Interconnection with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Air Quality Disparities and Impacts on SDG 3 and SDG 11

A significant disparity in urban air quality highlights challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). On November 19, PM 2.5 levels, a key air pollution metric, demonstrated this gap:

• Delhi, India: 442 (Hazardous)
• Lahore, Pakistan: 334 (Hazardous)
• Beijing, China: 16 (Good)

These figures underscore the severe health risks faced by populations in South Asia, directly contravening SDG Target 3.9, which aims to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air pollution. Furthermore, they reflect a failure to meet SDG Target 11.6, focused on reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, particularly concerning air quality.

2.0 China’s Progress Towards Air Quality and Urban Sustainability Goals

China’s success in improving air quality in Beijing serves as a notable case study in urban environmental management. The government’s strategy aligns with several SDGs:

1. Initial Measures (2008): Temporary restrictions on vehicles, factories, and construction were implemented for the Beijing Olympics. This initiative demonstrated a direct, albeit temporary, commitment to improving urban livability (SDG 11) and public health (SDG 3), resulting in a reported 30% reduction in air pollution levels during that period.
2. Systematic Action Plan (2013): The implementation of a comprehensive clean air action plan marked a long-term strategic effort to address air pollution. This plan has been instrumental in China’s dramatic air quality improvements, contributing to progress on SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the modernization of industrial processes and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by shifting energy sources.

3.0 Unintended Consequences for SDG 13: Climate Action

Recent atmospheric research reveals a complex and unintended consequence of improved air quality on SDG 13 (Climate Action). A study led by Professor Laura Wilcox of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science indicates that the reduction of air pollutants has had a paradoxical effect on global warming.

3.1 The Cooling Effect of Pollutants

Air pollution particles, while harmful to human health, have a cooling effect on the atmosphere by reflecting sunlight back into space. This phenomenon has been masking a portion of the warming caused by greenhouse gases.

3.2 Accelerated Warming

The successful removal of these pollutants from the atmosphere in regions like China has diminished this cooling effect. According to the research, this has not caused new warming but has “revealed” the true extent of warming that was already present. This finding suggests that efforts to achieve cleaner air (SDG 3, SDG 11) may have inadvertently accelerated the rate of observable global warming, intensifying the urgency of measures under SDG 13.

• Key Finding: The removal of cooling aerosols from the atmosphere is unmasking the full impact of existing greenhouse gas concentrations.
• Implication for SDG 13: The pace of global warming may be faster than previously observed, requiring more aggressive climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article directly addresses health by discussing “hazardous air quality” in cities like Delhi and Lahore. High levels of air pollution, measured by PM 2.5, are a significant threat to human health, leading to respiratory and other illnesses.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The core issue of the article is air pollution within major urban centers such as Delhi, Lahore, and Beijing. It focuses on the management of air quality in cities, highlighting China’s efforts to reduce smog through specific urban policies.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article explores the complex relationship between air pollution control and climate change. It presents research indicating that reducing air pollution, which had a cooling effect, “may have accelerated global warming,” linking local environmental policies to global climate outcomes.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

   • The article’s focus on “hazardous air quality” and the high PM 2.5 levels in Delhi (442) and Lahore (334) directly relates to this target, as these conditions cause illnesses and deaths.

2. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

   • This target is central to the article, which compares the air quality in different cities and details the measures Beijing took to improve its air, such as restrictions on cars and factories, as part of its “clean air action plan.”

3. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

   • The article highlights an unintended consequence of China’s “clean air action plan” on the global climate. This underscores the importance of integrating climate change considerations into national environmental policies to avoid adverse effects, which is the essence of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Targets 3.9 and 11.6: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5).

   • The article explicitly uses “PM 2.5” as “one of the principle measures for air pollution.” It provides specific quantitative data points for different cities: “Delhi: 442. Lahore: 334. Beijing: 16.” This directly corresponds to the official SDG indicator 11.6.2 (Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities), which is also used to track progress for Target 3.9.

2. Indicator for Target 13.2: Implementation of national policies and strategies.

   • The article mentions the implementation of China’s “clean air action plan in 2013” as a concrete policy measure. The existence and enforcement of such national plans serve as an indicator of a country’s effort to integrate environmental and climate measures into its planning. The article also implies the need for scientific analysis of the climate impacts of such policies as part of the measurement process.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: theconversation.com