Beijing: Keeping the Sky Blue
Beijing, capital of China, is a rapidly growing ultra-large metropolis. For a long time, the city found itself under huge pressure and struggled to control air pollution due to its high-speed growth, unfavorable topography, and climate conditions. In January 2013, a heavy blanket of smog shrouded the city, and the average daily PM2.5 concentration approached 160 micrograms per cubic meter. This attracted widespread attention at home and abroad.
Analysis showed that coal burning, automobiles, industries and airborne dust were the main causes of local air pollution. The air quality fell short of the national standards, and failed the residents' expectations and the city's role as national capital. Particularly in autumn and winter, Beijing would suffer frequent heavy air pollution. This seriously impacted its international image and local happiness index.
Since 2013, Beijing has followed the guidance of Xi Jinping thought on eco-civilization. Taking blue skies as a major symbol of public happiness and focusing on PM2.5 concentration control, the city has taken unprecedented measures to combat air pollution and tap the potential for emission reduction.
It has launched a clean air action plan, and shifted the effort from end-of-pipe treatment to whole-process control, from control of concentrations to control of both concentrations and total emissions, from treatment by individual enterprises to combined efforts on the part of enterprises, regions and industries, and from government control to whole-society participation.
The city has followed a holistic approach to reducing coal burning, controlling the number of automobiles running on the road and the total consumption of diesel oil, reducing pollutant emissions, and making a greater cleaning and de-dusting effort. Thanks to a systematic plan, cooperation among different regions, adjustment of energy and industrial structures, and public participation, local air quality has seen a notable improvement.
Beijing's air pollution control sets an example for other cities. The key lies in the leadership and resolution of local authorities. A clear-cut goal, strong support of regulations, mechanisms and policies, effective and targeted measures, and full implementation are all important factors. Public participation is also indispensable in air pollution control.
北京打赢首都蓝天保卫战
中国首都北京，是一座快速发展的特大型城市。长期以来，由于北京市城市经济快速发展，社会生产生活高位运行和不利的地形气候，大气污染防治面临巨大困难和压力。2013年1月，北京市发生了持续性、大范围、高浓度的空气重污染，当月PM2.5平均质量浓度接近160µg/m3，引起了国内外的高度关注。经过多方分析认为，影响北京空气质量的主因是燃煤、机动车、工业和扬尘等污染排放量过大。北京空气质量距离国家标准、市民期盼、首都功能定位还有很大差距，尤其在秋冬季，重污染易发、多发，严重影响首都国际形象和市民幸福指数。
自2013年以来，北京市以习近平生态文明思想为指导，将蓝天作为市民幸福生活重要标志，聚焦PM2.5污染治理，深挖减排潜力，以前所未有的力度治理大气污染：实施清洁空气行动计划，大气污染治理对策逐渐从末端治理转向全过程管控，从以浓度控制为主转向浓度与总量并重，从注重企业治理转向企业治理与区域和行业治理并重，从注重政府管控转向全社会共治，围绕“压减燃煤、控车减油、污染减排、清洁降尘”等方面，采取体系规划、区域协同治理、能源和产业结构调整、激励公众参与等方式，多方位、全过程地开展大气污染治理，空气质量改善成效显著。
北京市大气污染治理，为其他城市提供了值得借鉴的经验。实现地方大气环境质量改善关键在于各级党委、政府坚强领导和决心，制定清晰明确的目标，提供有效支撑的法规、制度和政策，以及精准有效的措施和全面有力的落实。同时，公众的积极参与对于推动大气环境改善和促进社会和谐至关重要。