The Chinese capital, Beijing, has significantly reduced air pollution in 10 years by cutting PM2.5 pollution by 64%, harmful nitrogen dioxide by 54%, and toxic sulfur dioxide by 89% in 2013, according to a report by the World Economic Forum. .
Due to its effective efforts, many countries are following Beijing’s example. Amid this, the same guideline to reduce air pollution may also help neighboring Pakistan considering that the South Asian country has been dealing with this severe crisis since last month.
It is worth noting that Beijing has increased the number of “good air days” from just 13 in 2013 to more than 300 in 2023.
The Chinese capital has come a long way since the 2000s when its smog levels were the highest in the world. According to the United Nations, no other city has achieved such a rapid transformation.
On the other hand, Pakistan, especially Lahore, the capital of Punjab, was shrouded in a thick layer of dangerous smog during most of November, intensifying the health concerns of its residents.
Pollution peaked on November 14. Data from Swiss air quality monitoring organisation, IQAir, revealed that the city’s air quality index (AQI) had risen dramatically to an unusually high and dangerous level of 1,110, and fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, had also reached a staggering level. 632 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
Stubble burning has been a major contributor to smog this year in Pakistan. The farmers set fire to the remains of the harvested crops to clear the fields for the next agricultural season. This practice, coupled with unfavorable weather conditions, has unleashed smoke and pollution in the area.
In addition, authorities have reported thousands of fire incidents in Punjab districts, adding to already alarming pollution.
While the authorities have pledged to take relevant and effective measures to address the dilemmas of air pollution and smog in Lahore and other cities, some help can be had from the Chinese capital.
In order to address the problem of air pollution, Beijing has built a high-density 3D air quality system, which combines 1,500 PM2.5 sensors across the city with high-resolution satellite remote sensing and laser radar.
In addition, it also imposed strict emissions controls on coal-fired power plants, as well as phasing out older and more polluting vehicles from the roads and expanding the public transportation system.
All of these measures were taken while the city continued to boom economically, increasing its GDP by 6.8% annually.
-Additional inputs from Reuters