Beijing's Particulate Pollution Plan Would Still Miss National Standards Even If It Hits 2020 Target
Beijing's plans to clean up its air by cutting PM2.5 emissions by 30 percent by 2020 would still fall short of the national standard, a city environmental official revealed in a television interview.
Yu Jianhua, head of the atmospheric environment department at the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection, announced that the pollution reduction plan seeks to reduce the yearly PM2.5 average emissions in the city from 70 micrograms per cubic meter to just 50 micrograms by 2020, representing a 30 percent cut.
"However, the national standard is set at 30 micrograms per cubic meter, so even by 2020, Beijing would not reach it," Yu was quoted as saying by CCTV. The Beijing Municipal Government has promised to set up a PM2.5 monitoring network this year.
"Currently, the public can access data released by the monitoring station online or through other media. The number of PM2.5 monitoring stations on Beijing streets will be increased to 35 by the end of 2012, while a satellite remote sensing system will be established to oversee air conditions," Yu noted.
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http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/706180/Beijing-pollution-plan-falls-far-short.aspx