China aims for tougher emission cuts this winter

SHANGHAI, Oct 17 (SMM) – China’s northern cities will be ordered to cut emissions of dangerous PM2.5 particles by an average of 4% this winter, according to a document issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment on Wednesday October 16.

The reduction target for the average concentration of PM2.5, health-damaging particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns, came in higher than the 3% cut for last winter, but lower than the 5.5% cut proposed in an earlier draft.

The MEE’s anti-pollution plan for this winter also raised the reduction target for the number of days of heavy pollution, up from a 3% cut last winter to a 6% rate.

The plan will target a group of 26 smog-prone cities in north China and the two municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin during October 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020.

Beijing’s pledge to ditch blanket production cuts on heavy industries was reiterated in the plan, which requires local governments to implement various curbs based on the environmental status of the industry, and even the company, as well as weather conditions.