A Story of Data, Transparency, and Collective Action

A Story from China

achieving economic growth while addressing environmental degradation and climate change. China, a developing nation, has faced this challenge head-on, leveraging data to foster multistakeholder participation and achieve significant environmental improvements.

The Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) has played a key role in this process. Founded in 2006, IPE began by compiling violation records, initially gathering fewer than 2,000. Through a decade-long multistakeholder effort, they have seen historic progress in environmental monitoring and transparency. Over 3 million violation records and penalty fines have been issued, and tens of thousands of major emitters are now required to report their online monitoring data every one or two hours.

This access to environmental data has mobilized public supervision, strengthened government enforcement, and enabled market-based solutions. IPE created Blue Map, an app that collects publicly available air and water quality data. As smartphones became widespread in China and concerns about air and water quality grew, the app attracted 3.8 million users. People could access emission records and easily share violator records on social media.

This data has also become a unique resource for green supply chain management. Some of the largest multinational and local brands have incorporated it into sourcing standards, encouraging over 31,000 suppliers to address their violations and/or measure and disclose their emissions. Major banks have also used Blue Map data to conduct green banking due diligence on 3 million corporations.

Through extensive multistakeholder clean air and clean water initiatives, significant reductions in air and water pollution were achieved over approximately a decade. Key atmospheric pollutant PM2.5 concentrations in Beijing dropped from 89.5 micrograms in 2013 to 30.5 in 2024, and by more than 50 percent across major regions. Additionally, the proportion of monitored rivers and lakes with water quality worse than Category V fell to below 1 percent in 2023.

In 2020, IPE launched Blue Map for Zero Carbon, a data-driven initiative that assesses the peak carbon and neutrality trends of provinces and cities, as well as the climate action performance of 2,000 brands and listed companies. Leveraging information technology, IPE developed digital carbon accounting and product carbon footprint disclosure solutions, helping suppliers measure tens of millions of tons of carbon emissions.

The story of IPE and Blue Map demonstrates the power of data in driving environmental progress. By promoting data accessibility, leveraging technology, and mobilizing communities, we can create a framework for sustainable progress that benefits everyone. The Global South, with its unique challenges and opportunities, stands at the forefront of this effort. Together, we can ensure that progress does not come at the cost of our planet.