Beijing’s war against air pollution
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)
| Topic: GS3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation |
| Context |
| ● Beijing successfully reduced its air pollution over two decades, offering valuable lessons for Delhi, which faces similar pollution challenges.
● Despite sharing common sources of pollution, Delhi’s efforts have been hindered by a lack of political will. ● The article discusses Beijing’s approach and how Delhi can adapt it. |
Comparison Between Beijing and Delhi: Air Pollution Context
- In 2015, Beijing’s air quality index (AQI) averaged 144, comparable to Delhi’s current average of 155 for 2024.
- Beijing managed to reduce its pollution levels by one-third, particularly between 2013-2017.
- The success of Beijing’s pollution control program offers valuable insights for Delhi, a city with similar developmental challenges.
Pollution Sources in Beijing and Delhi
- Beijing and Delhi share common pollution sources, particularly during the winter months.
- The regional contribution to pollution from neighboring areas plays a significant role in both cities.
- Local emissions, though important, can only be controlled effectively with a collective effort, as shown by Beijing’s experience.
| Beijing’s Anti-Pollution Program |
| ● Beijing began its anti-pollution initiative in 1998, with substantial actions from 2013-2017.
● Key pollution sources in Beijing included energy structures (22%), transportation (31%), and construction/industry (33%). ● The anti-pollution strategy involved:
|
Beijing’s Results
- Beijing achieved a significant reduction in pollutants:
- Sulphur dioxide by 83%, nitrogen oxide by 43%, VOCs by 42%, and PM2.5 by 59% between 2013-2017.
- Multiple pollutants were reduced by targeting specific sources.
- Government investment played a critical role in achieving these results, with a six-fold increase in funding within four years.
Lessons for Delhi
- Transport Improvements: Private transport is Delhi’s biggest polluter. Solutions include:
- Expanding and integrating the metro and bus systems, increasing fleet size.
- Offering subsidies for scrapping old vehicles and introducing exclusive cycling and walking lanes.
- Implementing congestion charges and differentiated fuel costs.
- Energy Overhaul: Delhi’s electricity supply largely depends on coal-fired plants. The energy system needs:
- Investment in clean energy, such as subsidizing solar rooftops and connecting them to the grid.
- Regional Cooperation: Much like Beijing’s success through regional coordination, Delhi needs to work with neighboring regions to manage cross-border pollution effectively.
- Public Awareness and Political Will: Delhi’s residents must demand their right to clean air. Holding the government accountable is crucial to solving the problem, instead of relying on private solutions like air purifiers, which are exclusionary.
Conclusion: The Need for Action
- Despite numerous ideas, Delhi struggles with a lack of political will, with both the state and central governments failing to take decisive action.
- Delhi’s air quality remains dangerously poor, especially in the winter months, and urgent steps are required to address this public health crisis.
| PYQ: Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three megacities of the country but the air pollution is a much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2015) |
| Practice Question: Delhi’s air pollution crisis bears striking similarities to Beijing’s situation in 2013. Analyze the key strategies Beijing adopted to combat air pollution and discuss how Delhi can implement similar measures to improve its air quality. (250 Words /15 marks) |
