Beijing’s Transformation in Air Pollution Management
Beijing's success in reducing air pollution was the result of a comprehensive strategy rather than accidental changes. The city's annual PM2.5 levels were reduced by over 50% from 2013 to 2021, contrasting sharply with Delhi’s ongoing pollution challenges.
Key Policies and Strategies
- Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan and the Blue Sky Protection Campaign: These were major policy initiatives focusing on systemic interventions across various sectors.
- Three main features of Beijing's strategy:
- Coherent policy formulation
- Strict enforcement mechanisms
- Regional coordination, especially with Tianjin-Hebei provinces
- Measures included expanding electric mobility, shutting down polluting industries, and implementing strict vehicular emission standards.
- PM2.5 monitoring systems and penalties for non-compliance were also critical components.
Challenges and Solutions
- India's Challenges: Despite having a strong statutory framework, India's environmental laws suffer from incoherent implementation and regulatory fragmentation.
- Multiple initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme and Graded Response Action Plan are in place but are largely reactive and fragmented.
- Governance Issues: Unlike China’s centralized approach, India's fragmented system slows decision-making and weakens enforcement.
- Resource Allocation: Beijing’s agencies have extensive resources and authority, contrasting with India’s underfunded pollution control boards.
- India's industrial and vehicular emissions remain high due to inadequate infrastructure and compliance failures.
Lessons for India
- Shift from reactive measures to a sustained, mission-oriented strategy treating pollution as a national public health emergency.
- Accelerate the transition to clean energy and expand energy-efficient standards across sectors.
- Enforce transport reforms, expand EV infrastructure, and strengthen public transport systems.
- Develop functional industrial zones equipped with full utilities and real-time emissions monitoring.
- Adopt a regional approach to air pollution, similar to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei airshed model.
