Acid Rain Problem in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Kyushu Region) - October 1994

Acid Rain Problem in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Kyushu Region) - October 1994

#### 1990s (1994)
In the 1990s, China's rapid industrialization led to increased coal consumption, which emitted about 23 million tons of sulfur oxides (SOx) per year. Particularly high emissions in industrial cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing led to serious air pollution; SOx combined with moisture in the atmosphere to form acid rain, which caused widespread damage to the country's forests and crops. Acid rain also fell in the Kyushu region of Japan, and in 1994, approximately 150 mm of acid rain per year was recorded. During this period, the Chinese government recognized the problem of acid rain and decided to introduce the first desulfurization equipment, but the introduction was limited to a few factories and still did not lead to nationwide measures.

#### 2000s
In the 2000s, China's coal consumption further increased, emitting about 25 million tons of SOx per year and increasing the damage from acid rain. In particular, damage to crops caused by acid rain became more serious in the industrial areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, with annual damage amounting to about RMB 15 billion. The Chinese government has strengthened its countermeasures, and in 2006, more than 3,000 power plants were required to install desulfurization equipment. In addition, a reduction target of up to 30% was set to reduce SOx concentrations in exhaust gases, but this did not solve the acid rain problem due to increased coal consumption associated with economic growth.

#### 2010s
In the 2010s, acid rain damage began to decline along with SOx emissions of about 25 million tons per year. Under the Air Pollution Prevention Action Plan announced in 2013, the Chinese government made progress in reducing SOx in major cities; by 2015, cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai had succeeded in reducing SOx emissions by 40%, and the occurrence of acid rain had also decreased. In addition, the introduction of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power has progressed, and coal consumption began to decline in 2017. However, acid rain still remained affecting agricultural production in many areas in China, with annual damage amounting to about RMB 10 billion.

#### 2020s
In the 2020s, the Chinese government has set a carbon neutrality goal and has launched specific policies to move away from dependence on coal. By 2021, the annual damage from acid rain had been reduced to RMB 5 billion, and air pollution, especially in urban areas, had improved. In addition, the spread of electric vehicles and the introduction of energy-efficient technologies have helped to reduce emissions, and by 2025, renewable energy sources are expected to account for 25% of total power generation.

Thus, the problem of acid rain caused by rapid industrialization since the 1990s is gradually improving due to measures taken by the Chinese government, but damage still persists in regional cities and rural areas, requiring a sustainable energy transition and international cooperation in the future.