China will enhance science-based prevention and control of air pollution and promote green development, the State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Wednesday.
The meeting heard a report on the progress of the research program on causes of heavy air pollution and proposed solutions.
Li required carrying out dedicated research on air pollution to drive consistent improvement in the air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and their neighboring areas, and offer experience and reference for air pollution control nationwide, including in other key areas.
The meeting noted the good progress made in air pollution prevention and control in recent years. To address the heavy air pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and their neighboring areas in autumn and winter, competent departments have commissioned special research by experts on causes of the heavy air pollution and possible solutions. This research program has provided important underpinning for science-based treatment of the pollution.
Upon hearing the research report, the meeting required building on the outcomes achieved and intensifying targeted control over the causes of such pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and their neighboring areas.
It urged continued efforts to prevent and control air pollution, especially tackling industrial pollution, promoting clean substitutes for small-scale coal burning, and controlling diesel exhaust emissions and ammonia emissions in agriculture and animal husbandry.
With growing ozone pollution, scientific research on region-wide air pollution treatment will be taken forward, and PM2.5 and ozone pollution will be treated in a coordinated way. Key regions are required to step up joint prevention and control.
"The research findings on causes of heavy air pollution and proposed solutions should be put to effective use in pollution control," Li said.
The meeting called for structural adjustments within regions in energy, industry and transportation. Clean use of coal will be enhanced. The steel, coking, petrochemical, construction materials and other industries will be transformed at a faster pace. The use of new energy cargo vehicles will be significantly increased in the shipment of commodities in multi-modal transportation and urban delivery services.
"We must fully appreciate the significance of air pollution control. It affects our people's life quality and the quality of the country's development. Research on the issue must be further advanced, with sharp focus on the most acute aspects in pollution control and prevention," Li said.
Eco-friendly industries and circular economy will be boosted. Specialized services will be strengthened for green technology and equipment, new types of energy efficient products and energy conservation and emission reduction.
International cooperation will be bolstered. These measures are aimed to achieve a win-win in both environmental protection and economic growth.
"While tackling pollution, we need to boost environmental protection industries, which also cultivate new drivers of economic growth," Li said.
