China’s Air Pollution Control Lessons For India

India faces severe air pollution each winter, especially in northern cities like Delhi. Smog worsens due to weather conditions and triggers such as crop burning and firecrackers. However, air pollution remains high year-round in many urban areas, including coastal cities like Mumbai, mainly from vehicles and industry. China, once plagued by similar pollution, has made notable progress. Its experience offers useful lessons for India’s fight against air pollution.

China’s Air Pollution Crisis and Response

China’s rapid industrialisation since 1978 caused severe pollution by the 2000s. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) became a major health hazard. The 2008 Beijing Olympics spurred urgent government action. China’s 11th Five-Year Plan (2006–10) prioritised pollution control. The government used a top-down cadre evaluation system to enforce targets on officials. It shut down outdated polluting factories and invested in pollution control technology.

Measures That Improved China’s Air Quality

China adopted strict emission controls on industries and vehicles. It promoted electric vehicles (EVs) extensively, with Shenzhen fully electrifying its bus fleet by 2017. Controls on coal boilers and cleaner residential heating helped reduce pollution. These combined efforts led to air quality improvements in nearly 80% of China by 2017. However, challenges remain, such as occasional data falsification and renewed coal plant expansions.

Comparing India and China’s Pollution Challenges

Both countries share pollution drivers like rapid urbanisation and industrial growth. Yet India faces unique issues such as widespread household biomass fuel use and uneven electricity access. China’s unitary governance enables centralised enforcement, unlike India’s complex federal system with overlapping jurisdictions. India’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) applies only locally and reactively, unlike China’s continuous pollution control efforts.

Lessons India Can Adopt From China

India can strengthen accountability by linking pollution control to official performance. Expanding clean fuel access in rural areas is crucial. India should enforce stricter emission standards for industries and vehicles. Promoting electric public transport can reduce urban pollution. Scientific monitoring and long-term policy continuity must underpin efforts. India can also integrate decentralised legal accountability, combining China’s centralised approach with its own judicial activism.

Challenges in Applying China’s Model to India

India’s diverse socio-economic conditions require tailored solutions. Green policies must balance with growth and equity concerns. Governance complexity demands coordination across multiple levels. Unlike China, India cannot easily shut down polluting units without affecting livelihoods. Therefore, India must adapt lessons thoughtfully rather than replicate China’s methods wholesale.

Current Progress and Future Directions

India has progressed in clean fuel distribution and pollution monitoring. Public interest litigations have pushed action. However, more comprehensive and sustained efforts are needed. Combining China’s experience with India’s unique context can accelerate air quality improvements and reduce health risks.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Point out the key differences between India’s federal governance and China’s unitary system in implementing environmental policies.
2. Critically analyse the impact of urbanisation on air pollution in developing countries with suitable examples.
3. Estimate the role of public interest litigation in environmental governance in India and how it complements administrative actions.
4. Underline the challenges and opportunities in promoting electric vehicles in India’s transport sector and suggest policy measures.

Answer Hints:

1. Point out the key differences between India’s federal governance and China’s unitary system in implementing environmental policies.

1. China’s unitary system allows centralized, top-down enforcement and uniform policy implementation nationwide.
2. India’s federal system involves multiple layers—central, state, and local governments—with overlapping jurisdictions and often unclear accountability.
3. China uses a cadre evaluation system linking officials’ performance to pollution control targets; India lacks a similar direct accountability mechanism.
4. Policy continuity and long-term action are easier in China due to centralized control; India’s policies like GRAP are localized and reactive.
5. India’s decentralized governance allows for judicial activism and public participation, which is limited in China.
6. Coordination challenges and political will vary more in India due to diverse regional priorities and governance structures.

2. Critically analyse the impact of urbanisation on air pollution in developing countries with suitable examples.

1. Rapid urbanisation increases vehicular emissions, industrial activity, and energy demand, worsening air pollution.
2. Urban sprawl often leads to increased biomass burning and informal industrial units with poor pollution controls.
3. Example – Delhi faces severe winter smog due to urban emissions combined with crop stubble burning in surrounding rural areas.
4. China’s urbanisation led to ‘airpocalypse’ in 2000s, prompting strict pollution control policies and industrial shutdowns.
5. Urbanisation without adequate infrastructure and clean energy access exacerbates pollution and health risks.
6. Sustainable urban planning and public transport promotion are critical to mitigate pollution in developing cities.

3. Estimate the role of public interest litigation in environmental governance in India and how it complements administrative actions.

1. PILs have enabled judicial oversight, compelling governments to enforce environmental laws and standards.
2. They raise public awareness and hold authorities accountable for pollution control failures.
3. Examples include Supreme Court directives on air pollution, vehicular emissions, and waste management.
4. PILs compensate for administrative gaps and delays by pushing timely action through legal mandates.
5. Judicial activism supports policy implementation but cannot replace the need for robust governance and monitoring.
6. Complementary role – PILs create pressure, while administrative bodies execute and enforce environmental policies.

4. Underline the challenges and opportunities in promoting electric vehicles in India’s transport sector and suggest policy measures.

1. Challenges – High upfront cost of EVs, limited charging infrastructure, and dependence on coal-based electricity reduce environmental benefits.
2. Opportunities – EVs can reduce urban air pollution and dependence on fossil fuels if coupled with cleaner power sources.
3. Government subsidies and incentives (FAME scheme) encourage EV adoption but need scaling and better targeting.
4. Promotion of public electric transport fleets (buses, auto-rickshaws) can have large impact on emissions reduction.
5. Policy measures – Invest in widespread, reliable charging infrastructure; promote renewable energy integration; implement stricter emission norms for ICE vehicles.
6. Encourage domestic EV manufacturing and battery recycling to reduce costs and environmental footprint.