WHAT INDIA MUST LEARN FROM CHINA'S ANTI-POLLUTION STRATEGY

Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: THE HINDU

Context

India can learn from China's quick and effective pollution control strategies to develop its own model, while adapting them to its democratic structure and avoiding previous mistakes.

China's Pollution Crisis & Response

In the early 2010s, China faced a severe environmental crisis. In 2013, the average annual PM2.5 concentration in its cities was 61 µg/m³, with Beijing’s levels often exceeding 500 µg/m³, a phenomenon dubbed the "airpocalypse". (Source: UNEP)

The crisis severely threatened public health and stability, leading the government to launch a "War on Pollution" in 2014.

• Political Will as a Governance Priority: China viewed pollution as a core governance challenge, not just environmental. 
• The government implemented strict, time-bound targets and tied cities' environmental performance directly to local officials' career progression, thus incentivizing compliance.
• Action Plan on Air Pollution (2013-2017): This plan set specific targets for reducing PM2.5 levels in key regions, which were not only met but often exceeded. 
• From 2013 to 2021, China reduced its national average PM2.5 levels by 42% to 30 µg/m³ (Source: AQLI Report). 
• Beijing's annual PM2.5 levels dropped by 56.2% over the same eight-year period.

Key Pillars of China's Strategy

China's success was built on a multi-pronged strategy that combined technology, stringent enforcement, and systemic restructuring of its economy.

Technology-Driven Monitoring & Data Transparency

• Nationwide Monitoring Network: China established a vast, real-time air quality monitoring network with over 1,500 stations across the country.
• Public Data Disclosure: Data from the stations was made publicly available in real-time. 
• This transparency empowered citizens and media to hold local governments and polluting industries accountable, creating public pressure for action.
• Advanced Enforcement: Satellite imagery and remote sensing were used to detect illegal emissions and enforce regulations, making evasion difficult.

Energy and Industrial Restructuring

• Transition from Coal: China shifted from coal to cleaner energy (natural gas and renewables) for residential and industrial heating, especially in northern cities. 
• China’s total installed renewable energy capacity increased by approximately 397% from 2013 to the end of 2024.
• Industrial Relocation: Thousands of heavily polluting factories were shut down or relocated from major urban centres to designated industrial parks with better pollution control infrastructure.
• Push for Electric Mobility: China became the world's largest market for Electric Vehicles (EVs) through heavy state subsidies, strict production quotas for manufacturers, and investment in charging infrastructure. 

Strict Enforcement & Accountability

• Punishing Officials: The enforcement mechanism held both polluting companies and government officials accountable for failing environmental targets, making top-down accountability a key driver of change.
• Environmental Courts: Specialised environmental courts were established to fast-track cases related to pollution, ensuring quicker legal recourse and improved compliance.
• Strong Deterrents: Actions like temporary factory shutdowns during high-pollution days and permanent closures of non-compliant units sent a clear message that the government prioritized environmental goals.

Lessons for India: What to Adapt vs What to Avoid

While China's model provides a powerful template, India must adapt these lessons to its democratic and federal structure. A simple "copy-paste" approach is neither feasible nor desirable.

Strategies India Can Adapt

Technology-Led Monitoring

Expand India's real-time monitoring network under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and ensure data is publicly accessible and easy to understand, similar to China’s model.

City-Specific Action Plans

Focus on robust, well-funded, and legally enforceable action plans for India's most polluted cities, a core strategy of the NCAP.

Promoting Clean Transport

Accelerate EV adoption through consistent policies (like FAME), support for charging infrastructure, and electrifying public transport fleets.

Cooperative Federalism

While avoiding China's top-down coercion, the Centre can encourage competition and collaboration among states by linking financial incentives (like Finance Commission grants) to environmental performance.

Strategies India Should Avoid

Forced Shutdowns

Abrupt and large-scale factory shutdowns, as seen in China, would be disastrous for India’s large informal sector and could lead to widespread job losses without a social safety net.

Excessive Centralisation

A highly centralised, top-down enforcement model undermines the role of State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and local governments. India needs to strengthen these institutions, not bypass them.

Lack of Public Participation

China's approach lacked public consultation. In India, a successful strategy must involve citizens, civil society, and industry stakeholders in the decision-making process to ensure buy-in and long-term success.

Way Forward for India

India's journey towards cleaner air requires a balanced approach rooted in its democratic ethos.

• Strengthen NCAP: Make the NCAP legally binding with clear accountability mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance. 
• Empower State Institutions: Provide financial and technical support to SPCBs to improve their monitoring and enforcement capabilities.
• Invest in a Just Transition: Create a clear roadmap to support workers and communities dependent on polluting industries (like coal) as the economy transitions to cleaner alternatives.
• Focus on Regional Airsheds: Recognize that pollution is not limited by administrative boundaries. Develop integrated action plans for entire airsheds (e.g., the Indo-Gangetic Plain) involving multiple states.

Conclusion

China shows rapid pollution control is possible with political will and technology, but with social costs; India should adapt its own democratic, federal, and socially sensitive approach to balance growth and environment.

Source: THE HINDU