History of Beijing's Environmental Pollution Control Plan (From the 1990s to 2024 in Detail)

History of Beijing's Environmental Pollution Control Plan (From the 1990s to 2024 in Detail)

Situation and Measures in the 1990s
In the 1990s| Beijing faced severe air pollution caused by rapid urbanization and industrialization. Coal was the primary energy source| leading to high levels of PM2.5 and SO₂| with winter health hazards becoming a serious issue. In 1996| the "Coal-to-Electricity" project was launched| replacing over 100 coal-fired boilers with natural gas boilers. Additionally| low-emission vehicles were introduced to public transportation to reduce exhaust emissions.

Improvement Plans in the 2000s
The 2008 Beijing Olympics triggered stricter environmental regulations. The transition from coal to natural gas advanced| and major power plants underwent upgrades. During the Olympics| temporary shutdowns of factories led to improved PM2.5 levels| though long-term efforts remained necessary. The electrification of urban transportation accelerated| with the support of Toyota and Volkswagen| promoting eco-car adoption.

Intensified Efforts in the 2010s
In 2013| severe air pollution became a nationwide issue| prompting Beijing to formulate the "Air Pollution Control Action Plan." The decommissioning of coal boilers continued| and the electrification of public transport was further promoted. By 2017| 60% of major bus routes were replaced with electric buses. A target was set to keep the annual PM2.5 concentration below 70µg/m³ to mitigate health risks.

Progress in the 2020s
By 2024| PM2.5 levels decreased to 34µg/m³| achieving an 81% reduction from the previous year. A total of 845|000 electric vehicles were introduced| with 40% of new vehicles being electric. Additionally| 23 fuel-fired boilers were converted to natural gas| enhancing gas treatment capacity by 490 tons. Climate-adaptive urban pilot projects were carried out in Mentougou| Tongzhou| and Yanqing districts| along with efforts to protect urban biodiversity. Beijing aims to reduce PM2.5 levels to below 25µg/m³ by 2035.