‘Significant gains’ achieved in air quality goals

CHICAGO: China is winning its war on pollution after four years of struggle, a US study said.

Concentrations of fine particulates in Chinese cities have decreased by an average rate of 32% since 2014, according to a research done by professors at the University of Chicago.

Data from nearly 250 Chinese official monitor agencies was analysed with positive findings.

“The data is in – China is winning its war against pollution,” said Michael Greenstone who conducted the analysis and works as director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).

New data released by the Chinese government in March showed that the number of “severely polluted” days in Beijing dropped to 23 in 2017, compared with 58 in 2013.

Across the country, the average density of PM 2.5 in 338 cities was 43 micrograms per cubic meter, falling 6.5% year on year.

The eightpage report suggested that Chinese people would enjoy significant improvement of their health conditions.

“In the 204 prefectures for which we have data, which cover nearly 70% of the total population, residents can expect to live on average 2.4 years longer relative to 2013 if the recent reductions in pollution are sustained,” said the report.

While praising China’s “significant gains in achieving its air quality goals”, the report expected more longerterm plans and market approaches like taxes and capandtrade markets.