Joint effort to fight Delta air pollution: Report

Other Findings and Suggestions:

Pressures and potential emission reduction in different regions. Zhejiang has to more strict reduction measures stricter than Shanghai and Jiangsu to comply with the standards. Thus, it is suggested to, in future efforts on inter-regional joint emission prevention and control, scientifically and comprehensively consider the effects of complex economic and social factors in different regions. Instead of taking totally the same control strategies in all regions. It is necessary to find best portfolio measures for emission reduction which balances between the economy and environment as well as between different regions.

Control of agricultural ammonia emission. If the agricultural sector also takes measures to reduce ammonia emissions to a level substantially lower than 2010 in addition to above control measures, not only the Delta Zone will be compliant with the air quality standards but also the concentration of PM2.5 may be reduced. But, there will be challenges in actual implementation and management of ammonia emission reduction measures.

The areas beyond the Delta region also need to vigorously promote emission reduction measures. Though the excessive PM2 5 emission is mainly caused by the polluting sources within the Delta Zone, the contribution of the emission from the sources beyond the Delta Zone can not be ignored. If the regions beyond the Delta Zone do not take effective reduction measures while maintaining rapid growth, it is difficult to guarantee complete compliance with PM2.5 concentration limit only relying on Delta Zone alone to implement sustainable energy development strategy and emission reduction measures to maximize the reduction potential. Therefore, the regions beyond the Delta Zone also need to enforce the implementation of emission reduction measures.

Enhancement of policy implementation. This Study assumes that all relevant policies have been fully implemented under all scenarios. However, actual implementation is likely to be affected by various factors. It is suggested to carry out researches related to the policy implementation to identify the needs for funds, technologies and other requirements, in order to ensure smooth implementation.

Eyes on ozone pollution while advancing the compliance with PM2.5 standards. PM2.5 as the primary air pollutant in the Delta Zone has decreased significantly in recent year following a series of prevention and control measures. But, ozone pollution has not been improved or even worse. 31% of the primary pollutants contributing to the 107 polluted days in Shanghai in 2015 was ozone. Since 2013, the ozone concentration has not dropped but risen for two consecutive years. Therefore in order to achieve all targets of air quality, the Delta Zone needs to keep eyes on the ozone pollution while advancing the compliance with PM2.5 standards. It may be taken as a key task.

Planning for compliance with air quality standards should be carried out and completed as soon as possible. The modeling, research methods and suggested measures in this Study provides certain supports for the air quality management in the Delta Zone. It is suggested to, according to the requirements in the new Air Pollution Prevention Law, start working on the Delta’s plan for compliance with the air quality standards as soon as possible and at the same time start working on municipals’ planning in order to develop measures for air quality compliance and formulate management mechanisms based on scientifically developed plans..