(Beijing) Air quality in Beijing has improved markedly in recent years, according to official figures, although the level of pollution remains above the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Air pollution is a major concern of Beijingers, but also of athletes who will participate next month in the Winter Olympics in the Chinese capital and its surroundings (February 4-20).
After winning the right in 2015 to organize the Olympics, the city of Beijing, considered at the time to be one of the most polluted in the world, declared a “war on pollution”.
The capital has since closed dozens of coal-fired power stations and relocated factories. It is gradually switching from coal to natural gas for heating.
These measures have enabled a significant reduction in fine particles “PM2.5” (those with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers), very harmful because they penetrate deep into the lungs and can cause cancer or heart problems.
Their level fell to 33 micrograms per cubic meter on average in 2021, the environment department of Beijing city hall said on Tuesday – three times less than in 2013.
But that’s still six times more than the WHO recommended level (5 micrograms per cubic meter).
“The average level of fine particles PM2.5 has decreased by 63.1% compared to 2013, the year in which the surveys began. It is a rate of decrease that far exceeds the rates observed in developed countries over the same period, ”welcomed the town hall.
The number of days the capital is hit by an acrid cloud of pollution has also dropped drastically in recent years.
The two host cities of the Olympics, Beijing and Zhangjiakou, have contingency plans in the event that pollution envelops the venues and affects visibility, the environment ministry said last week.
China wants to take advantage of the Games to show the world its environmental initiatives. It has set up dozens of wind and solar farms to supply the Games with energy.
“Beijing’s 2021 air quality data is encouraging,” said Li Shuo of Greenpeace China.
“But if Pekingese can breathe well now, progress must be better in many other provinces. “
China had 42 of the 100 most polluted cities in the world last year, according to air quality watchdog IQAir.