Delhi is once again experiencing its annual winter smog emergency, a severe air quality crisis driven by a confluence of factors including crop residue burning in adjacent states, emissions from vehicles and industries, and pervasive road dust. This recurring environmental challenge draws parallels with Beijing’s past struggles. The Chinese capital, once infamous globally for its toxic air, has since achieved remarkable improvements through extensive policy interventions and significant financial investment. China has now offered to share its successful strategies with India to help address Delhi’s persistent air pollution.
China embarked on a determined campaign to combat its deadly air pollution. Faced with dangerously high levels of nitrogen dioxide, which led to severe respiratory ailments and increased mortality rates, Beijing implemented a series of stringent measures. These included restricting vehicle usage, temporarily halting operations at polluting factories, and enforcing much stricter emission standards. A major turning point was the 2013 announcement of a comprehensive five-year action plan focused on pollution reduction. This plan actively promoted the adoption of electric vehicles, supported bike-sharing initiatives, and rerouted heavy truck traffic away from heavily populated zones. The initiative was reportedly backed by a substantial budget of approximately $270 billion, with a clear objective of fostering sustainable growth while prioritizing public health.
Beijing’s air quality has seen a dramatic improvement. Data from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago indicates a 42.3% decrease in pollution levels between 2013 and 2021. Experts attribute this significant achievement to consistent environmental monitoring, strict policy enforcement, and substantial financial backing. The environmental improvements in Beijing also had a minor positive impact on global air quality during this period.
China’s innovative approach to financing environmental initiatives has been recognized as a key success factor. The World Bank highlighted the ‘Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control in the Jing Jin Ji region’ as a groundbreaking model that integrated green finance with energy policy. This program utilized a ‘Program for Results’ methodology, aligned with national action plans to reduce pollution by enhancing energy efficiency and promoting clean energy sources.
Regional coordination was identified as a critical element in Beijing’s anti-pollution success, a lesson of paramount importance for Delhi. Studies on Beijing’s air quality revealed that a significant portion of pollutants traveled from surrounding provinces, particularly during winter. This pattern closely mirrors Delhi’s situation, where stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana acts as a major trigger for winter smog. While Delhi faces ongoing contributions from urban emissions, traffic, and dust, crop burning provides a critical seasonal amplification. The Supreme Court’s repeated directives to the central and state governments for decisive action on stubble burning underscore the necessity of coordinated efforts. Without effective inter-state cooperation, Delhi’s air pollution crisis is unlikely to be resolved.
Beijing’s experience serves as a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved through stringent enforcement and a unified governmental approach. While India may not have China’s vast financial capacity, its National Clean Air Programme, launched in 2019, represents a focused effort. This program aims to achieve a 20-30% reduction in particulate pollution by 2024, benchmarked against 2017 levels.
Notably, China has expressed its willingness to share its experiences. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India conveyed that China, having successfully navigated its own severe smog challenges, stands ready to share its journey toward clearer skies and expressed optimism for India’s progress. This offer reflects China’s own extensive efforts and long battle to achieve visible environmental improvements.