scholarly journals Collaborative Governance Mechanism of Climate Change and Air Pollution: Evidence from China

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6785
Author(s):  
Bing Wang ◽  
Yifan Wang ◽  
Yuqing Zhao

Since entering the industrialized era, China’s greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutant emissions have increased rapidly. China is the country with the most greenhouse gas emissions, and it is also facing serious local air pollution problems. China’s industrial sector is the largest contributor to CO2 and air pollutants. The resulting climate change and air pollution issues have caused China to face double pressures. This article uses the CO2 and comprehensive air pollutant emission data of China’s industrial sector as a starting point and uses econometric research methods to explore the synergy between China’s industrial carbon emission reduction and industrial comprehensive air pollutant emission reduction. The synergistic effect between industrial carbon emissions and industrial comprehensive air pollutant emissions has been quantified, and the transmission path of the synergistic effect has been explored. The empirical results show that there are benefits of synergistic governance between climate change and air pollution in China’s industrial sector. Every 1000 tons of carbon reduction in the industrial sector will result in 1 ton of comprehensive air pollutant reduction. The increase in R&D expenditure in the energy and power sector can significantly promote the reduction of air pollutants in the industrial sector. Increasing the intensity of environmental regulations is the main expansion path for synergy. However, in eastern, central, and western China, the synergy is not the same. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate regionally differentiated emission reduction policies. The research conclusions of this article can provide policy references for the coordinated governance of climate change and air pollution in China.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 3670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianwen Cheng ◽  
Manchun Li ◽  
Feixue Li ◽  
Haoqing Tang

Geographical environment and climate change are basic factors for spatial fluctuations in the global distribution of air pollutants. Against the background of global climate change, further investigation is needed on how meteorological characteristics and complex geographical environment variations can drive spatial air pollution variations. This study analyzed the response of air pollutant emissions to climate change and the potential effects of air pollutant emissions on human health by integrating the air pollutant emission simulation model (GAINS) with 3 versions and CMIP5. The mechanism by which meteorological characteristics and geographical matrices can drive air pollution based on monitoring data at the site-scale was also examined. We found the total global emission of major air pollutants increased 1.32 times during 1970–2010. Air pollutant emissions will increase 2.89% and 4.11% in China and developed countries when the scenario of only maximum technically feasible reductions is performed (V4a) during 2020–2050. However, it will decrease 19.33% and 6.78% respectively by taking the V5a climate scenario into consideration, and precipitation variation will contribute more to such change, especially in China. Locally, the air circulation mode that is dominated by local geographical matrices and meteorological characteristics jointly affect the dilution and diffusion of air pollutants. Therefore, natural conditions, such as climate changes, meteorological characteristics and topography, play an important role in spatial air pollutant emissions and fluctuations, and must be given more attention in the processes of air pollution control policy making.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1377-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Fang ◽  
V. Naik ◽  
L. W. Horowitz ◽  
D. L. Mauzerall

Abstract. Increases in surface ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (≤2.5 μm aerodynamic diameter, PM2.5) are associated with excess premature human mortalities. We estimate changes in surface O3 and PM2.5 from pre-industrial (1860) to present (2000) and the global present-day (2000) premature human mortalities associated with these changes. We extend previous work to differentiate the contribution of changes in three factors: emissions of short-lived air pollutants, climate change, and increased methane (CH4) concentrations, to air pollution levels and associated premature mortalities. We use a coupled chemistry-climate model in conjunction with global population distributions in 2000 to estimate exposure attributable to concentration changes since 1860 from each factor. Attributable mortalities are estimated using health impact functions of long-term relative risk estimates for O3 and PM2.5 from the epidemiology literature. We find global mean surface PM2.5 and health-relevant O3 (defined as the maximum 6-month mean of 1-h daily maximum O3 in a year) have increased by 8 ± 0.16 μg m−3 and 30 ± 0.16 ppbv (results reported as annual average ±standard deviation of 10-yr model simulations), respectively, over this industrial period as a result of combined changes in emissions of air pollutants (EMIS), climate (CLIM) and CH4 concentrations (TCH4). EMIS, CLIM and TCH4 cause global population-weighted average PM2.5 (O3) to change by +7.5 ± 0.19 μg m−3 (+25 ± 0.30 ppbv), +0.4 ± 0.17 μg m−3 (+0.5 ± 0.28 ppbv), and 0.04 ± 0.24 μg m−3 (+4.3 ± 0.33 ppbv), respectively. Total global changes in PM2.5 are associated with 1.5 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.2–1.8) million cardiopulmonary mortalities and 95 (95% CI, 44–144) thousand lung cancer mortalities annually and changes in O3 are associated with 375 (95% CI, 129–592) thousand respiratory mortalities annually. Most air pollution mortality is driven by changes in emissions of short-lived air pollutants and their precursors (95% and 85% of mortalities from PM2.5 and O3 respectively). However, changing climate and increasing CH4 concentrations also contribute to premature mortality associated with air pollution globally (by up to 5% and 15%, respectively). In some regions, the contribution of climate change and increased CH4 together are responsible for more than 20% of the respiratory mortality associated with O3 exposure. We find the interaction between climate change and atmospheric chemistry has influenced atmospheric composition and human mortality associated with industrial air pollution. Our study highlights the benefits to air quality and human health of CH4 mitigation as a component of future air pollution control policy.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 22713-22756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Fang ◽  
V. Naik ◽  
L. W. Horowitz ◽  
D. L. Mauzerall

Abstract. Increases in surface ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (≤2.5 μm} aerodynamic diameter, PM2.5) are associated with excess premature human mortalities. Here we estimate changes in surface O3 and PM2.5 since preindustrial (1860) times and the global present-day (2000) premature human mortalities associated with these changes. We go beyond previous work to analyze and differentiate the contribution of three factors: changes in emissions of short-lived air pollutants, climate change, and increased methane (CH4) concentrations, to air pollution levels and the associated premature mortalities. We use a coupled chemistry-climate model in conjunction with global population distributions in 2000 to estimate exposure attributable to concentration changes since 1860 from each factor. Attributable mortalities are estimated using health impact functions of long-term relative risk estimates for O3 and PM2.5 from the epidemiology literature. We find global mean surface PM2.5 and health-relevant O3 (defined as the maximum 6-month mean of 1-h daily maximum O3 in a year) have increased by 8 ± 0.16 μg m−3 and 30 ± 0.16 ppbv, respectively, over this industrial period as a result of combined changes in emissions of air pollutants (EMIS), climate (CLIM) and CH4 concentrations (TCH4). EMIS, CLIM and TCH4 cause global average PM2.5(O3) to change by +7.5 ± 0.19 μg m−3 (+25 ± 0.30 ppbv), +0.4 ± 0.17 μg m−3 (+0.5 ± 0.28 ppbv), and −0.02 ± 0.01 μg m−3 (+4.3 ± 0.33 ppbv), respectively. Total changes in PM2.5 are associated with 1.5 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.0–2.5) million all-cause mortalities annually and in O3 are associated with 375 (95% CI, 129–592) thousand respiratory mortalities annually. Most air pollution mortality is driven by changes in emissions of short-lived air pollutants and their precursors (95% and 85% of mortalities from PM2.5 and O3, respectively). However, changing climate and increasing CH4 concentrations also increased premature mortality associated with air pollution globally up to 5% and 15%, respectively. In some regions, the contribution of climate change and increased CH4 together are responsible for more than 20% of the respiratory mortality associated with O3 exposure. We find the interaction between climate change and atmospheric chemistry has influenced atmospheric composition and human mortality associated with industrial air pollution. In addition to driving 13% of the total historical changes in surface O3 and 15% of the associated mortalities, CH4 is the dominant factor driving changes in atmospheric OH and H2O2 since preindustrial time. Our study highlights the benefits to air quality and human health of CH4 mitigation as a component of future air pollution control policy.


Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 852
Author(s):  
Yue Yu ◽  
Zhi-xin Jin ◽  
Ji-zu Li ◽  
Yu-cheng Wu ◽  
Li Jia

In China, as the major source of energy consumption and air pollutant emissions, the power industry is not only the principal force that bears the responsibility of national emission reduction targets but also a breakthrough that reflects the effectiveness of emission reduction. In this study, based on the integrated MARKAL-EFOM system (TIMES) model and scenario analysis method, a bottom-up energy system optimization model for the power industry was established, and four scenarios with different constraints were set up to predict and analyze the power demand and the energy consumption structure. Emission characteristics, emission reduction characteristics, and emission reduction cost of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOX), particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), and mercury (Hg) were quantitatively studied. Finally, for the environmentally friendly development and optimal adjustment of power production systems in China, the control path in the power industry that is conducive to the emission reduction of air pollutants was obtained, which is of great significance for the ultimate realization of climate friendliness. The results demonstrate that from 2020 to 2050, the power demand of the terminal departments will increase, with the composition significantly changed. The focus of power demand will change from industry to the service industry gradually. If no additional targeted emission reduction or adjustment policies are added in the power industry, the primary energy and air pollutant emissions will increase significantly, putting great pressure on resources and the environment. For the emission reduction of air pollutants, the promotion effect of emission reduction measures, such as the implementation and promotion of non-fossil fuels, is restricted. The power industry can introduce and maximize the best available technologies while optimizing the structure of energy consumption to realize efficient emission reduction of air pollutants and energy conservation. In 2030, emissions will reach peak values with reasonable emission reduction cost. This has the additional effect of abating energy consumption and preventing deterioration of the ecological environment, which is of profound significance for the ultimate realization of climate friendliness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gengyu Gao ◽  
Shanshan Wang ◽  
Ruoyu Xue ◽  
Donghui Liu ◽  
He Ren ◽  
...  

AbstractIndustrial parks contribute greatly to China’s economic development while emitting huge air pollutants. It is necessary to study the characteristics of air pollutant emissions in industrial parks. In this study, emission inventories for 11 industrial parks were established. Meanwhile, the source emission and spatial distribution characteristics of the industrial park were analyzed. The cluster analysis was used to classify these parks into “4Hs”, “Mixed” and “4Ls” parks. “4Hs”, “Mixed” and “4Ls” represent that the levels of energy intensity, economic proportion of energy-intensive industries, coal proportion and pollution performance value are high, medium and low in turn. Then three emission reduction measures were set up to estimate the emission reduction potential and environmental impacts. The results show that: (1) the emissions of SO2, NOx, CO, PM10, PM2.5, VOCs and NH3 of 11 industrial parks in 2017 were 11.2, 23.1, 30.8, 8.3, 3.5, 5.1, and 1.1 kt, respectively. (2) Power plants were the largest source of SO2 and NOx emissions, and industrial processes were the largest emission source of CO, PM10, PM2.5, VOCs and NH3. (3) “4Hs” parks with traditional energy-intensive industries as the leading industries should be the emphasis of air pollutant emission reduction. (4) Through the optimal emission reduction measures, SO2, NOx, PM10, PM2.5 and VOCs were reduced by 81, 46, 51, 46 and 77%, respectively. Environmental impact reductions include 1.6 kt SO2eq acidified gas emissions, 1.4 kt PO43−eq eutrophication substances, 4.2 kt PM10eq atmospheric particulate emissions, 7.0 kt 1,4-DCEeq human toxic substances, and 5.2 kt PM2.5 eq breathing Inorganic. This study is helpful to understand the characteristics of air pollutants emissions in industrial parks and promotes the proposal and implementation of air pollutant emissions reduction strategies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 9223-9236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Knorr ◽  
Frank Dentener ◽  
Jean-François Lamarque ◽  
Leiwen Jiang ◽  
Almut Arneth

Abstract. Wildfires pose a significant risk to human livelihoods and are a substantial health hazard due to emissions of toxic smoke. Previous studies have shown that climate change, increasing atmospheric CO2, and human demographic dynamics can lead to substantially altered wildfire risk in the future, with fire activity increasing in some regions and decreasing in others. The present study re-examines these results from the perspective of air pollution risk, focussing on emissions of airborne particulate matter (PM2. 5), combining an existing ensemble of simulations using a coupled fire–dynamic vegetation model with current observation-based estimates of wildfire emissions and simulations with a chemical transport model. Currently, wildfire PM2. 5 emissions exceed those from anthropogenic sources in large parts of the world. We further analyse two extreme sets of future wildfire emissions in a socio-economic, demographic climate change context and compare them to anthropogenic emission scenarios reflecting current and ambitious air pollution legislation. In most regions of the world, ambitious reductions of anthropogenic air pollutant emissions have the potential to limit mean annual pollutant PM2. 5 levels to comply with World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines for PM2. 5. Worst-case future wildfire emissions are not likely to interfere with these annual goals, largely due to fire seasonality, as well as a tendency of wildfire sources to be situated in areas of intermediate population density, as opposed to anthropogenic sources that tend to be highest at the highest population densities. However, during the high-fire season, we find many regions where future PM2. 5 pollution levels can reach dangerous levels even for a scenario of aggressive reduction of anthropogenic emissions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 04036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Jieling ◽  
Li Haibo

When vessels are berthed at ports, the air pollutants emitted by auxiliary engines will cause severe pollution to the ports and surrounding environments. In view of this situation, the author first summarizes the Chinese policies and policies of foreign countries on emission of air pollutants from vessels at berth, and then analyses the current status of and measures for control of air pollutant emission from vessels at berth. Secondly, the author analyses the environmental benefits of using shore power for better controlling air pollutant emission from vessels at berth, compares vessels using shore power with vessels using generated power in the energy conservation and emission reduction effects based on the fuel consumption rate of different auxiliary engines and current status of pollutant emission from power generation in China etc., analyses the current status of shore power application in China, estimates the energy conserved and emission reduced when shore power is used by vessels at berth. Thirdly, the author identifies the scale of electric energy replacement by, and environmental benefits of, shore power at ports in China. This paper delivers innovative approaches to the comparison between the effects of energy conservation and emission reduction based on fuel consumption rates of different auxiliary engines and estimation of conserved energy and reduced emission.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Wen-jie Zou ◽  
Tai-Yu Lin ◽  
Yung-ho Chiu ◽  
Ting Teng ◽  
Kuei Ying Huang

Finding the balance between economic development and environmental protection is a major problem for many countries around the world. Air pollution caused by economic growth has caused serious damage to humans’ living environment, and as improving energy and resource efficiencies is the first priority, many countries are targeting to move towards a sustainable environment and economic development. This study uses the modified dynamic SBM (slack-based measure) model to explore the economic efficiency and air pollutants emission efficiency in Taiwan’s counties and cities from 2012 to 2015 by taking labor, motor vehicles, and electricity consumption as inputs and average disposable income as output. Particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxide emissions (NO2), and sulfur oxide emissions (SO2) are undesirable outputs, whereas factory fixed assets are a carry-over variable, and the results show the following: (1) the regions with the best overall efficiency between 2012 and 2015 include Taipei City, Keelung City, Hsinchu City, Chiayi City, and Taitung County; (2) in counties and cities with poor overall efficiency performance, the average disposable income per household has no significant relationship with air pollutant emissions; (3) in counties and cities where overall efficiency is poor, the average efficiency of each household’s disposable income is small; and (4) except for the five counties and cities with the best overall performance, the three air pollutants in the other fourteen counties and cities are high. Overall, the air pollution of most areas needs improvement.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Dessy Gusnita ◽  
Dita Fatria

<p>Estimation of air pollutant emissions from non-oil and gas sources in eastern Indonesia, namely Sulawesi and Papua provinces during the period 2014 – 2016 was conducted. This paper intended to estimate the emission of three air pollutants namely NOx, SO<sub>2</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub>. The aim was to find out the amount of pollutant and greenhouse gas (<em>GHG</em>) emissions in the Sulawesi and Papua regions. The method used was the emission estimation method based on statistical data of Gross Regional Domestic Income (GRDP) in the Papua and Sulawesi regions. The results from estimation of pollutant emissions was then carried out for pollutant emissions mapping. The pollutant emission estimation showed the emission of air pollutants in Sulawesi region was higher than Papua. The mapping of emissions in Sulawesi were consisted of four provinces, namely north, central, south and southeast Sulawesi. The Papua region were consisted of Papua and west Papua provinces. The highest emission in Sulawesi region was south Sulawesi. The CO<sub>2</sub> emission in Sulawesi was increase about 23% with the detail value; 84.4 tons in 2014; 94.3 tons in 2015; and 103.7 tons in 2016. The emission of NOx during 2014 until 2016 are 0.53, 0.58 and 0.64 tons, there was an increasing in the emission of NOx around 21%. In addition, SO<sub>2</sub> emission of south Sulawesi are 0.42 tons in 2014, 0.47 tons in 2015 and 0.51 tons in 2016, increased about 21 % during the year 2014 - 2016. In the Papua region, the emission in Papua was higher than Papua Barat province. CO<sub>2</sub> emissions in Papua during 2014 -2016 were 112, 124.8 and 144.99 tons, it means the CO<sub>2</sub> was increased 29%. The emission of NOx during 2014-2016 were 0.70, 0.77 and 0.89 tons, increased around 27%. In addition, SO<sub>2</sub> emission was increase 26% with the detail value; 0.56 tons in 2014; 0.61 tons in 2015 and 0.71 tons in 2016.</p><p> </p><p><strong><em></em></strong><strong><em><br /></em></strong><em></em></p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 1073-1076 ◽  
pp. 2719-2727
Author(s):  
Bing Qiao ◽  
Yi Chao Liu ◽  
Wei Jian He ◽  
Yu Jun Tian ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
...  

Based on methods of the fuel consumption, statistical and analogy analysis, the throughput amount method was established to calculate the emissions from port handling, and the minimum mileage method was established to estimate emissions from port cargo highway distributing. In the methods, some coefficients were used obtained by investigations: the current container handling emission factors of NOx, VOCs, CO, PM2.5 and SOx are 1.64, 0.21, 0.42, 0.01 and 0.29 t/TEU; the energy consumption of the unit throughput is 4.12 tons of standard coal per 104tons; the ratios of the unit non container cargoe handling energy consumption for coastal and inland river ports to those of container cargo are 0.631 and 0.405; the ratio of the unit non container cargoe highway distributing energy consumption to those of container cargo is 0.365. The calculation results show that the total emissions from the cargo handling and highway distributing of 2013 in China for NOx, VOCs, CO, PM2.5 and SOx are 54.365, 14.821, 24.631, 5.599 and 16.802 104tons, and the emissions from highway distributing are 4.21, 10.02, 8.24, 8.22 and 8.19 times of the emissions from port handling facilities. According to energy saving and emission reduction measures, formulas were established to calculate air pollutant emissions after the new added measures. Analyzing the real performance of the measures implemented since 2001 and predicting its trend of development, a scenario was designed, in which the Chinese port throughput continuously rises while the energy saving and emission reduction efforts gradually increase by 2020: the popularities of the energy saving measure of "oil changing to electricity" and the clean fuel measure of "oil changing to gas" reach 100% and 83%; the proportion of power plants with 95% desulfurization and denitrification reaches 100%; the energy saving and emission reduction efficiency of port cargo distributing optimization measures reaches 40%. Under this scenario, the prediction shows that during the port throughput increasing approximately 4.2 times from 2005 to 2020, the air pollutant emissions will be reduced significantly, returning to a lower level compared with 2005. The above methods and results can be used to support the decision-making and the implementation of emission reduction measures for the national, regional and port enterprises.


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