Emission Control and Green Solutions Take Center Stage

China Aims to Eliminate Severe Air Pollution by 2025

China has set an ambitious goal to eliminate severe air pollution by 2025, the final year of its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). Li Tianwei, an official with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, announced this target at a press conference on Monday.

To achieve this goal, China will intensify its efforts in pollution control and emission reduction. This includes improving air quality forecasting and early warning systems, and enhancing coordinated management of PM2.5 and ozone pollution.

In 2024, China witnessed significant improvements in air quality. The average concentration of PM2.5 in cities at or above the prefecture level was 29.3 micrograms per cubic meter, a 2.7% decrease from the previous year. Additionally, the proportion of days with good air quality reached 87.2%, an increase of 1.7 percentage points year-on-year.

Li emphasized that clean air is not a given, but rather earned through consistent efforts. He acknowledged the significant contribution of mobile sources to air pollution, accounting for approximately 60% of national nitrogen oxides and 24% of volatile organic compounds.

To effectively address mobile source air pollution, China plans to expedite the development and revision of relevant standards, aligning them with global best practices. Additionally, the country will increase the share of new energy vehicles and machinery in airports, ports, and logistics parks. Furthermore, China will accelerate the transition of long-haul bulk cargo transportation from road to rail and waterways.

These comprehensive measures demonstrate China's commitment to achieving cleaner air and a healthier environment for its citizens. By 2025, the country aims to significantly reduce severe air pollution, contributing to a more sustainable future.