14.1 Introduction
China suffers air pollution and related environmental impacts, due mainly to the
intensive use of fossil fuels and rapid growth of vehicle population. Poor air quality
has caused huge damages on public health particularly in mega cities (Parrish and
Zhu 2009). A series of studies have estimated the swift growth in emissions of
anthropogenic pollutants from 2000 (Ohara et al. 2007; Zhang et al. 2007; Lu et al.
2010; Lei et al. 2011a). GAINS model by the International Institute for Applied
Systems Analysis (IIASA) estimated that China contributed 24%, 14%, 25%, and
27% to global emissions of SO 2 , NO X , black carbon (BC), and organic carbon
(OC) in 2000, respectively (Cofala et al. 2007; Klimont et al. 2009). Although
uncertainties existed (Zhao et al. 2011a), China’s total SO 2 emissions were estimated
to be much larger than those of Europe or the USA (Zhao et al. 2009, 2011b).
Facing the challenges of improving urban air quality, reducing regional air
pollution, and limiting carbon emissions, China has conducted a comprehensive
policy of energy saving and emission control since 2005. The goal is to change the
nation’s development mode from one dependent on intense fossil energy consumption with consequent larger emissions to a more resource-efficient and environmentfriendly alternative. Stringent measures to improve the energy efficiency and to
control emissions have been compulsorily required at many major sectors. From
2005 to 2010 (the 11
th 5-year plan, 11
th FYP) period, all the newly built power
generation units must be larger than 300 MW in capacity, and the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system was compulsorily installed. Those measures are believed to be
effective. The national SO 2 emissions were officially reported to decrease by 14%
from 2005 to 2010 (MEP 2011). Reduced SO 2 are similarly indicated both by
bottom-up emission trend based on the energy statistics (Lu et al. 2010, 2011) and
satellite observations (Li et al. 2010). Compared to official results, studies of bottomup inventories also suggested reduced SO 2 emissions with more conservative
assumptions on the implementation of pollution control measures (Lu et al. 2011;
Zhao et al. 2013).
The 11th FYP measures failed to inhibit the growth of NO X emissions that are
crucial for PM 2.5 and O 3 formation in the atmosphere (Zhao et al. 2013). Big
challenges on air pollution control still existed across the country (Wang and Hao
2012). Therefore, China required further 8% and 10% reduction of SO 2 and NO X
emissions compared to 2010, respectively, in the 12th FYP period (2011–2015).
More measures were required by the government, such as application of selective
catalytic/non-catalytic reduction (SCR/SNCR) technology for power plants and
staged implementation of tighter emission standards on vehicles. A series of new
and aggressive emission standards have been issued for power, iron and steel, and
cement industries since 2011. Those measures are expected to be helpful for
emission reduction over the country.
This chapter summarizes the effects of national regulations on the SO 2 and NO X
emissions across the country since 2000. Evidence from satellite observation is
presented for evaluation of the changes in national and regional emissions. The
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Y. Zhao and Y. Xia
China suffers air pollution and related environmental impacts, due mainly to the
intensive use of fossil fuels and rapid growth of vehicle population. Poor air quality
has caused huge damages on public health particularly in mega cities (Parrish and
Zhu 2009). A series of studies have estimated the swift growth in emissions of
anthropogenic pollutants from 2000 (Ohara et al. 2007; Zhang et al. 2007; Lu et al.
2010; Lei et al. 2011a). GAINS model by the International Institute for Applied
Systems Analysis (IIASA) estimated that China contributed 24%, 14%, 25%, and
27% to global emissions of SO 2 , NO X , black carbon (BC), and organic carbon
(OC) in 2000, respectively (Cofala et al. 2007; Klimont et al. 2009). Although
uncertainties existed (Zhao et al. 2011a), China’s total SO 2 emissions were estimated
to be much larger than those of Europe or the USA (Zhao et al. 2009, 2011b).
Facing the challenges of improving urban air quality, reducing regional air
pollution, and limiting carbon emissions, China has conducted a comprehensive
policy of energy saving and emission control since 2005. The goal is to change the
nation’s development mode from one dependent on intense fossil energy consumption with consequent larger emissions to a more resource-efficient and environmentfriendly alternative. Stringent measures to improve the energy efficiency and to
control emissions have been compulsorily required at many major sectors. From
2005 to 2010 (the 11
th 5-year plan, 11
th FYP) period, all the newly built power
generation units must be larger than 300 MW in capacity, and the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system was compulsorily installed. Those measures are believed to be
effective. The national SO 2 emissions were officially reported to decrease by 14%
from 2005 to 2010 (MEP 2011). Reduced SO 2 are similarly indicated both by
bottom-up emission trend based on the energy statistics (Lu et al. 2010, 2011) and
satellite observations (Li et al. 2010). Compared to official results, studies of bottomup inventories also suggested reduced SO 2 emissions with more conservative
assumptions on the implementation of pollution control measures (Lu et al. 2011;
Zhao et al. 2013).
The 11th FYP measures failed to inhibit the growth of NO X emissions that are
crucial for PM 2.5 and O 3 formation in the atmosphere (Zhao et al. 2013). Big
challenges on air pollution control still existed across the country (Wang and Hao
2012). Therefore, China required further 8% and 10% reduction of SO 2 and NO X
emissions compared to 2010, respectively, in the 12th FYP period (2011–2015).
More measures were required by the government, such as application of selective
catalytic/non-catalytic reduction (SCR/SNCR) technology for power plants and
staged implementation of tighter emission standards on vehicles. A series of new
and aggressive emission standards have been issued for power, iron and steel, and
cement industries since 2011. Those measures are expected to be helpful for
emission reduction over the country.
This chapter summarizes the effects of national regulations on the SO 2 and NO X
emissions across the country since 2000. Evidence from satellite observation is
presented for evaluation of the changes in national and regional emissions. The
312
Y. Zhao and Y. Xia