China sets new tagets to curb pollution
Chinese government sets demanding targets for main urban centres to reduce emissions and embrace clean technologies
The Chinese government has new targets to address air pollution in the country's main cities.
Xinhua the state news agency has reported that Beijing, Tianjin and the province of Hebei will be set the most demanding targets, and officials have confirmed they will have to cut emissions of PM 2.5 particles by 25 per cent by 2017.
Shanghai (pictured right) will be required to reduce emissions by 20 per cent and the eastern provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong and northern Shanxi will be required to meet the same target. Guangdong and Chongqing face a 15 per cent target and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region will have 10 per cent target.
The ambitious goals are likely to help drive soaring demand for clean technologies, including greener vehicles and systems for trapping air pollution.
They are also designed to step up pressure on local officials to make use of extensive new powers granted by the national government, allowing cities to shut factories and curb car use in order to tackle rapidly worsening levels of smog.
State media acknowledged yesterday that former health minister Chen Zhu has estimated that poor air quality in China contributes to the premature death of 350,000 to 500,000 people a year.
