How China dealt with air pollution, lessons for India, Pg19

Key Highlights:

• China's air pollution in the late 2000s was comparable to India's current situation, marked by high particulate matter and significant health and economic burdens.
• China's government focused on air pollution in the late 2000s, implementing measures through the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10), including cadre evaluation and investment in pollution control.
• Shenzhen completely electrified its fleet of over 16,000 buses in 2017, becoming the first city in the world to do so.
• A 2023 study identified political will, financial resources, and accountability mechanisms as key determinants of success in tackling air pollution.

Detailed Insights:

• China's rapid industrial growth after 1978 led to increased carbon emissions, resulting in severe air and river pollution by the 2000s.
• China utilized a cadre evaluation system, where officials' performance against environmental targets influenced promotions, alongside investments in pollution control equipment and shutdowns of polluting industries.
• Electric vehicles were promoted in China, reducing carbon emissions due to their greater efficiency and the location of power generation outside urban centers.
• India's Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is localized to the NCR and activates only after air quality breaches a certain level, unlike China's long-term continuous action.
• India faces challenges including household emissions from biomass burning, unequal access to electricity, and the perception of green commitments as a trade-off with economic growth.
• India's governance system, characterized by tiered authorities and overlapping jurisdictions, contrasts with China's unitary setup, affecting accountability in addressing air pollution.
• Strategies like controlling industrial and vehicular pollution, expanding cleaner fuel use, and promoting public transportation can be adapted by India from China's experience.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Particulate Matter (PM2.5): Fine inhalable particles that can penetrate lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
• Cadre Evaluation System: A system used in China for top-down bureaucratic personnel evaluation, where performance targets influence promotions and assessments.
• Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): A set of measures implemented in India's NCR to combat air pollution based on specific air quality levels.