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Combined short-term and long-term emission controls improve air quality sustainably in China

Author

Listed:
  • Zhang Wen

    (China Agricultural University
    Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning)

  • Xin Ma

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Wen Xu

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Ruotong Si

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Lei Liu

    (China Agricultural University
    Lanzhou University)

  • Mingrui Ma

    (Nanjing University)

  • Yuanhong Zhao

    (Ocean University of China)

  • Aohan Tang

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Yangyang Zhang

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Kai Wang

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Ying Zhang

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Jianlin Shen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Lin Zhang

    (Peking University)

  • Yu Zhao

    (Nanjing University)

  • Fusuo Zhang

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Keith Goulding

    (Rothamsted Research)

  • Xuejun Liu

    (China Agricultural University)

Abstract

The effectiveness of national policies for air pollution control has been demonstrated, but the relative effectiveness of short-term emission reduction measures in comparison with national policies has not. Here we show that short-term abatement measures during important international events substantially reduced PM2.5 concentrations, but air quality rebounded to pre-event levels after the measures ceased. Long-term adherence to strict emission reduction policies led to successful decreases of 54% in PM2.5 concentrations in Beijing, and 23% in atmospheric nitrogen deposition in China from 2012 to 2020. Incentivized by “blue skies” type campaigns, economic development and reactive nitrogen pollution are quickly decoupled, showing that a combination of inspiring but aggressive short-term measures and effective but durable long-term policies delivers sustainable air quality improvement. However, increased ammonia concentrations, transboundary pollutant flows, and the complexity to achieving reduction targets under climate change scenarios, underscore the need for the synergistic control of multiple pollutants and inter-regional action.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang Wen & Xin Ma & Wen Xu & Ruotong Si & Lei Liu & Mingrui Ma & Yuanhong Zhao & Aohan Tang & Yangyang Zhang & Kai Wang & Ying Zhang & Jianlin Shen & Lin Zhang & Yu Zhao & Fusuo Zhang & Keith Gouldin, 2024. "Combined short-term and long-term emission controls improve air quality sustainably in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49539-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49539-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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