China's polluted air may be killing up to 64,000 babies in the womb every year and that is according to a research study. The study by Peking University claims that 40% of stillbirths in Asia, Africa and Latin America in 2015 were caused by exposure to particles smaller than 2.5 microns.

China: New study links toxic air to stillbirths, says pollution causes 64,000 stillbirths every year

A thick layer of smog overshadowed China’s capital city, Beijing, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend some highways and issue a pollution alert.<o:p></o:p>

Visibility in parts of Beijing dropped to less than 200 metres on Friday as heavy pollution engulfed the capital city on Thursday. Due to this, the authorities had to issue its first heavy pollution alert for the fall and winter season.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zhang-zhan-who-exposed-chinas-mishandling-of-covid-is-close-to-death-in-jail-family-426911">Zhang Zhan, who exposed China's mishandling of Covid, is close to death in jail: Family</a></o:p>

Due to the thick layer of pollution, Beijing authorities have had to suspend some highways outdoor construction and factory operations. Beijing’s skyscrapers also reported alarmingly limited visibility in the top floors of the buildings.<o:p></o:p>

As the air became alarmingly polluted, authorities have also ordered schools to immediately stop all outdoor activities for students.<o:p></o:p>

This comes as China revealed that the country is aiming to cut concentrations of hazardous, small airborne particles by nearly four per cent year on year during the winter season. The decision was taken after the PM2.4 level reached to an alarming level of 234 micrograms per cubic metre in urban areas, the US Embassy in Beijing said.<o:p></o:p>

Chinese authorities have said that all nearly 64 cities will be launching winter campaign against rising pollution.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/itchy-throats-watery-eyes-post-diwali-air-quality-turns-hazardous-in-indias-national-capital-delhi-426818">Itchy throats, watery eyes: Post Diwali, air quality turns ‘hazardous’ in India’s national capital Delhi</a></o:p>

While this is not the first time that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has being severely affected by heavy smog and pollution. However, it is feared that this year the smog may act as a trigger for coronavirus.<o:p></o:p>

The problem of alarming pollution levels has come at a time when the capital city is gearing up to host the Winter Olympics, which are scheduled to take place from February 04-20.<o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, China has also been battling a fresh outbreak of coronavirus as several provinces are initiating partial lockdowns and other Covid regulations to control the spread. Authorities are also urging locals to get vaccinated against the virus as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

A thick layer of smog overshadowed China’s capital city, Beijing, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend some highways and issue a pollution alert. Visibility in parts of Beijing dropped to less than 200 metres on Friday as heavy pollution engulfed the capital city on Thursday.

A thick layer of smog overshadowed China’s capital city, Beijing, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend some highways and issue a pollution alert. Visibility in parts of Beijing dropped to less than 200 metres on Friday as heavy pollution engulfed the capital city on Thursday. Due to this, the authorities had to issue its first heavy pollution alert for the fall and winter season. Also read | Zhang Zhan, who exposed China's mishandling of Covid, is close to death in jail: Family Due to the thick layer of pollution, Beijing authorities have had to suspend some highways outdoor construction and factory operations. Beijing’s skyscrapers also reported alarmingly limited visibility in the top floors of the buildings. As the air became alarmingly polluted, authorities have also ordered schools to immediately stop all outdoor activities for students. This comes as China revealed that the country is aiming to cut concentrations of hazardous, small airborne particles by nearly four per cent year on year during the winter season. The decision was taken after the PM2.4 level reached to an alarming level of 234 micrograms per cubic metre in urban areas, the US Embassy in Beijing said. Chinese authorities have said that all nearly 64 cities will be launching winter campaign against rising pollution. Also read | Itchy throats, watery eyes: Post Diwali, air quality turns ‘hazardous’ in India’s national capital Delhi While this is not the first time that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has being severely affected by heavy smog and pollution. However, it is feared that this year the smog may act as a trigger for coronavirus. The problem of alarming pollution levels has come at a time when the capital city is gearing up to host the Winter Olympics, which are scheduled to take place from February 04-20. Meanwhile, China has also been battling a fresh outbreak of coronavirus as several provinces are initiating partial lockdowns and other Covid regulations to control the spread. Authorities are also urging locals to get vaccinated against the virus as soon as possible.

China: Beijing's increase in pollution raises alarm before Winter Olympics

According to India's Central Electricity Authority (CEA), 63 of the 135 coal-fired power plants in the country have just two days or less of coal supplies left.

CEA reportedly said 17&nbsp;of the country's 135 coal-fired power plants have&nbsp;"zero coal stocks".&nbsp;

India is the second-largest importer and consumer of coal. India's power ministry had recently issued a directive to increase coal production "in the light of the increasing power demand".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/electricity-crisis-chinese-switch-to-flashlights-generators-to-meet-emission-targets-ease-coal-shortages-416787">Also Read:&nbsp;China switches to flashlights, generators to meet emission targets &amp; ease coal shortages</a>

The ministry said compared to August last year, the energy consumption in August this year had increased by 15 per cent while the share of thermal &amp; lignite based generation had increased by 21 per cent.

Coal is also responsible for causing global pollution with China being the top coal consumer. China has been hit by a power crisis even as the Chinese government recently ordered railway companies and local authorities to ramp up coal supplies quickly.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-run-up-to-cop26-summit-glasgow-records-hottest-summer-410318">Also Read:&nbsp;In run up to Cop26 summit, Glasgow records hottest summer</a>

The Communist nation is under increased pressure to stop its coal-fired power projects. In order to address the criticism, President Xi last month had pledged not to build new coal-fired power projects abroad during his address to the UN General Assembly.

China is the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter and relies heavily on coal to meet its domestic energy needs. It is also under increased pressure from international organisations&nbsp;who have set their focus on China's coal energy needs at the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Glasgow later this month.

President Xi has however not confirmed his participation at COP26 in Glasgow. Reports say&nbsp;China's top economic planning body has been asked to devise a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions amid growing pollution concerns worldwide.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-summit-cop26s-president-alok-sharma-flew-to-30-countries-in-7-months-403428">Also Read:&nbsp;Cop26 summit president flew to 30 countries in 7 months</a>

British PM Boris Johnson had sent an invitation to President Xi to attend the meeting. In fact, British cabinet minister and president Alok Sharma of COP26 had said that the "ball is very much in their court" referring to China's participation at the conference.

Alok Sharma had visited Beijing earlier and held talks with Chinese officials while emphasising that the Chinese government wanted to make "COP26 as a success".

The COP26 conference will begin in Glasgow, Scotland from October 31.

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to India's Central Electricity Authority (CEA), 63 of the 135 coal-fired power plants in the country have just two days or less of coal supplies left. CEA reportedly said 17 of the country's 135 coal-fired power plants have "zero coal stocks".

According to India's Central Electricity Authority (CEA), 63 of the 135 coal-fired power plants in the country have just two days or less of coal supplies left. CEA reportedly said 17 of the country's 135 coal-fired power plants have "zero coal stocks". India is the second-largest importer and consumer of coal. India's power ministry had recently issued a directive to increase coal production "in the light of the increasing power demand". Also Read: China switches to flashlights, generators to meet emission targets & ease coal shortages The ministry said compared to August last year, the energy consumption in August this year had increased by 15 per cent while the share of thermal & lignite based generation had increased by 21 per cent. Coal is also responsible for causing global pollution with China being the top coal consumer. China has been hit by a power crisis even as the Chinese government recently ordered railway companies and local authorities to ramp up coal supplies quickly. Also Read: In run up to Cop26 summit, Glasgow records hottest summer The Communist nation is under increased pressure to stop its coal-fired power projects. In order to address the criticism, President Xi last month had pledged not to build new coal-fired power projects abroad during his address to the UN General Assembly. China is the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter and relies heavily on coal to meet its domestic energy needs. It is also under increased pressure from international organisations who have set their focus on China's coal energy needs at the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Glasgow later this month. President Xi has however not confirmed his participation at COP26 in Glasgow. Reports say China's top economic planning body has been asked to devise a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions amid growing pollution concerns worldwide. Also Read: Cop26 summit president flew to 30 countries in 7 months British PM Boris Johnson had sent an invitation to President Xi to attend the meeting. In fact, British cabinet minister and president Alok Sharma of COP26 had said that the "ball is very much in their court" referring to China's participation at the conference. Alok Sharma had visited Beijing earlier and held talks with Chinese officials while emphasising that the Chinese government wanted to make "COP26 as a success". The COP26 conference will begin in Glasgow, Scotland from October 31. (With inputs from Agencies)

India stares at coal crisis as COP26 eyes China's coal-fired power projects

Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to stop funding coal projects overseas as he announced ambitious goals at the UN General Assembly.&nbsp;

"We need to improve the global environmental governance. We need to actively respond to climate change and create a community of life for man and nature," the Chinese president said.

However, President Xi provided no details on how the policy will be implemented.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-first-address-at-un-general-assembly-2021-us-president-joe-biden-says-ended-afghan-war-to-enter-new-era-of-diplomacy-414726">Also Read: At UNGA, President Biden says ended Afghan war to enter new era of diplomacy</a>

"We should focus on developing green and low carbon energy and we should not build new coal-fired power projects abroad," he said.

The move could significantly limit the financing of coal plants in the developing world. China is the world's largest consumer of coal and the world's biggest polluter.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-want-to-address-un-general-assembly-appoint-new-envoy-414770">Also Read:&nbsp;Taliban want to address UN General Assembly, appoint new envoy</a>

"China will strive to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060," the Chinese president promised.

China had reportedly brought 38.4 gigawatts of new coal-fired power into operation last year which was over three times what was brought globally.

China's overall consumption of coal increased by 0.6 per cent in 2020 from a year earlier to around 4.04 billion tonnes.&nbsp;

Watch: Ebrahim Raisi slams the United States in maiden UNGA address&nbsp;

According to China's National Coal Association, the country's coal consumption is expected to rise in 2021 despite Beijing's previous pledges to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/on-unga-sidelines-jaishankar-discusses-afghanistan-indo-pacific-in-bilateral-meetings-414763">Also Read:&nbsp;On UNGA sidelines, Jaishankar discusses Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific&nbsp;</a>

In a letter earlier this year, a coalition of non-governmental groups had said that the state-run Bank of China was the largest single financier of coal projects pumping $35 billion since the Paris climate agreement was signed in 2015.

President Xi's announcement came after South Korea and Japan made similar moves earlier this year.&nbsp;UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres and US climate envoy John Kerry had urged China to follow the lead of its Asian counterparts.

The Chinese president also urged global cooperation to meet the challenges of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to stop funding coal projects overseas as he announced ambitious goals at the UN General Assembly. "We need to improve the global environmental governance.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to stop funding coal projects overseas as he announced ambitious goals at the UN General Assembly. "We need to improve the global environmental governance. We need to actively respond to climate change and create a community of life for man and nature," the Chinese president said. However, President Xi provided no details on how the policy will be implemented. Also Read: At UNGA, President Biden says ended Afghan war to enter new era of diplomacy "We should focus on developing green and low carbon energy and we should not build new coal-fired power projects abroad," he said. The move could significantly limit the financing of coal plants in the developing world. China is the world's largest consumer of coal and the world's biggest polluter. Also Read: Taliban want to address UN General Assembly, appoint new envoy "China will strive to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060," the Chinese president promised. China had reportedly brought 38.4 gigawatts of new coal-fired power into operation last year which was over three times what was brought globally. China's overall consumption of coal increased by 0.6 per cent in 2020 from a year earlier to around 4.04 billion tonnes. Watch: Ebrahim Raisi slams the United States in maiden UNGA address According to China's National Coal Association, the country's coal consumption is expected to rise in 2021 despite Beijing's previous pledges to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. Also Read: On UNGA sidelines, Jaishankar discusses Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific In a letter earlier this year, a coalition of non-governmental groups had said that the state-run Bank of China was the largest single financier of coal projects pumping $35 billion since the Paris climate agreement was signed in 2015. President Xi's announcement came after South Korea and Japan made similar moves earlier this year. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres and US climate envoy John Kerry had urged China to follow the lead of its Asian counterparts. The Chinese president also urged global cooperation to meet the challenges of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. (With inputs from Agencies)

Chinese President Xi vows to stop funding coal projects overseas at UNGA

China&nbsp;needs to halve carbon dioxide emissions from its coal-fired power plants by the end of the decade if it is to remain on course to become carbon neutral by 2060, according to research published on Thursday.

To half emissions, the world's biggest producer of climate-warming greenhouse gas must shut, retrofit or put into reserve capacity as much as 364 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power by 2030,&nbsp;around a third of its current total, according to London-based climate data provider TransitionZero.

The research used satellite imagery and machine learning to estimate carbon emissions from&nbsp;China's coal-fired plants.

It also estimated that&nbsp;China&nbsp;could save $1.6 trillion by replacing the majority of its coal-fired power plants with clean alternatives.

"Independent of climate considerations, our analysis finds&nbsp;China&nbsp;could save money, reduce stranded assets and improve its international reputation by replacing coal plants with zero-carbon alternatives," said Matthew Gray, co-chief executive of TransitionZero.

Experts and campaigners have said that&nbsp;China&nbsp;should immediately halt all new coal plant approvals in order to meet climate goals.

However, the country said in its 2021-2025 five-year plan published in March that it would continue to promote the "clean and efficient use of coal".

According to research published by the Global Energy Monitor and other energy think tanks last week, a recent boom in coal-fired power construction in&nbsp;China&nbsp;is offsetting the cuts made in the rest of the world.

China&nbsp;completed 38.4 GW of new capacity in 2020, higher than the 37.8 GW of coal plants that were retired globally. It commissioned 76 per cent&nbsp;of the world's new coal plants last year, up from 64 per cent&nbsp;in 2019, according to a report by TransitionZero.

(With input from agencies)

China needs to halve carbon dioxide emissions from its coal-fired power plants by the end of the decade if it is to remain on course to become carbon neutral by 2060, according to research published on Thursday.

China needs to halve carbon dioxide emissions from its coal-fired power plants by the end of the decade if it is to remain on course to become carbon neutral by 2060, according to research published on Thursday. To half emissions, the world's biggest producer of climate-warming greenhouse gas must shut, retrofit or put into reserve capacity as much as 364 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power by 2030, around a third of its current total, according to London-based climate data provider TransitionZero. The research used satellite imagery and machine learning to estimate carbon emissions from China's coal-fired plants. It also estimated that China could save $1.6 trillion by replacing the majority of its coal-fired power plants with clean alternatives. "Independent of climate considerations, our analysis finds China could save money, reduce stranded assets and improve its international reputation by replacing coal plants with zero-carbon alternatives," said Matthew Gray, co-chief executive of TransitionZero. Experts and campaigners have said that China should immediately halt all new coal plant approvals in order to meet climate goals. However, the country said in its 2021-2025 five-year plan published in March that it would continue to promote the "clean and efficient use of coal". According to research published by the Global Energy Monitor and other energy think tanks last week, a recent boom in coal-fired power construction in China is offsetting the cuts made in the rest of the world. China completed 38.4 GW of new capacity in 2020, higher than the 37.8 GW of coal plants that were retired globally. It commissioned 76 per cent of the world's new coal plants last year, up from 64 per cent in 2019, according to a report by TransitionZero. (With input from agencies)

China needs to halve power sector emissions by 2030 to meet climate goals: Study

An enormous expansion in biodegradable plastic creation in China is outperforming the nation's capacity to debase the materials, as indicated by another report distributed by the foundation Greenpeace.&nbsp;

China, the world's biggest maker of plastic waste, presented boycotts recently on a few kinds of non-degradable single-use plastics, inciting makers to increase the creation of biodegradable adaptations.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reporting-usage-of-single-use-plastics-to-authorities-now-mandatory-346475">China: Reporting usage of single-use plastics to authorities now mandatory</a>

As indicated by Greenpeace, 36 organizations in China have arranged or constructed new biodegradable plastic assembling offices, adding a creation limit of more than 4.4 million tons for every year - a more than sevenfold expansion in under a year.&nbsp;

China's internet business industry is on target to create an expected 5 million tons of biodegradable plastic waste every year by 2025 when the nation's single-utilize plastic boycotts become an effective cross country, the cause said.&nbsp;

Biodegradable plastics can be separated by living life forms, yet most require explicit mechanical treatment at high temperatures to be debased inside a half year. Left in landfills under ordinary conditions, the materials can take any longer to start to separate will, in any case, deliver carbon into the air.&nbsp;

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"Without controlled fertilizing the soil offices, most biodegradable plastics end up in landfills, or more regrettable, in waterways and the sea," said Greenpeace's East Asia plastics specialist Dr. Molly Zhongnan Jia.&nbsp;

"Changing starting with one kind of plastic then onto the next can't settle the plastics contamination emergency that we're confronting," she said.&nbsp;

Chinese president Xi Jinping has in late talks focused on the significance of decreasing plastic waste, yet many significant Chinese urban communities have a next to zero framework set up to adapt to the development of biodegradable plastics creation.&nbsp;

Plastic issues&nbsp;

One of the primary difficulties with biodegradable plastics all around the world is that they can't be placed into normal family reusing or debased in-home fertilizing the soil receptacles - which means purchasers generally don't have any course to get biodegradable bundling to the sorts of mechanical offices fit for handling it.&nbsp;

"Except if there is a clear framework for what we call 'end-of-life' - regardless of whether that is reusing or cremation or landfill or biodegradation somehow or another - at that point that is as yet a solitary utilize plastic," said Dr. Rachael Rothman, the co-overseer of the Grantham Center for Sustainable Futures at the University of Sheffield.&nbsp;

"Because a plastic is biodegradable, that doesn't mean it isn't single-use," she said.&nbsp;

Another classification of plastics made completely or incompletely from natural assets - frequently alluded to as "bioplastics" - are not really biodegradable, adding to likely disarray for buyers.&nbsp;

Internationally, the mechanical foundation expected to handle biodegradable plastics - from assortment through to high-temperature treating the soil - doesn't exist at the scale expected to coordinate the volume of those plastics being delivered.&nbsp;

"This is a worldwide issue, totally," said Dr. Rothman. "The UK has been counseling on bio-degradable and compostable plastics and there's another norm on biodegradability. In any case, when you take a gander at the subtleties, it says the material requirements to get to 60 degrees Celsius, and what plastic is going to 60 degrees in the UK?"&nbsp;

Transportation off waste&nbsp;

An investigation distributed in October in the diary Sciences Advances, which inspected information from 2016, assessed that the US was the world's driving plastic waste maker that year, trailed by India and afterward China. Taken, all things considered, the EU countries would be in the runner up, notwithstanding having just about 40% of the number of inhabitants in India and China.&nbsp;

The US delivers enormous amounts of its plastic waste to different nations. In 2017 alone, China took in 7 million tons of plastic waste from Europe, Japan, and the US.&nbsp;

China has since prohibited the import of 24 unique evaluations of garbage, however different nations including Malaysia, Turkey, the Philippines, and Indonesia, which as of now need to handle enormous amounts of their own plastic waste, have gotten a portion of the leeway.&nbsp;

A portion of these nations has since sent a portion of the imported plastic waste back.&nbsp;

The Greenpeace report distributed on Thursday cautions that supplanting single-use plastics with high-volume creation of different biodegradable options isn't the answer for the plastics squander issue.&nbsp;

"This 'biodegradables surge' needs to stop. We need to investigate the impact and expected dangers of mainstreaming these materials, and ensure we put resources into arrangements that really diminish plastic waste," said Greenpeace's Dr. Jia.&nbsp;

"Reusable bundling frameworks and a decrease in generally plastic use are significantly more encouraging methodologies to keep plastic out of landfills and the climate," she said.

An enormous expansion in biodegradable plastic creation in China is outperforming the nation's capacity to debase the materials, as indicated by another report distributed by the foundation Greenpeace.

An enormous expansion in biodegradable plastic creation in China is outperforming the nation's capacity to debase the materials, as indicated by another report distributed by the foundation Greenpeace. China, the world's biggest maker of plastic waste, presented boycotts recently on a few kinds of non-degradable single-use plastics, inciting makers to increase the creation of biodegradable adaptations. Also read: China: Reporting usage of single-use plastics to authorities now mandatory As indicated by Greenpeace, 36 organizations in China have arranged or constructed new biodegradable plastic assembling offices, adding a creation limit of more than 4.4 million tons for every year - a more than sevenfold expansion in under a year. China's internet business industry is on target to create an expected 5 million tons of biodegradable plastic waste every year by 2025 when the nation's single-utilize plastic boycotts become an effective cross country, the cause said. Biodegradable plastics can be separated by living life forms, yet most require explicit mechanical treatment at high temperatures to be debased inside a half year. Left in landfills under ordinary conditions, the materials can take any longer to start to separate will, in any case, deliver carbon into the air. "Without controlled fertilizing the soil offices, most biodegradable plastics end up in landfills, or more regrettable, in waterways and the sea," said Greenpeace's East Asia plastics specialist Dr. Molly Zhongnan Jia. "Changing starting with one kind of plastic then onto the next can't settle the plastics contamination emergency that we're confronting," she said. Chinese president Xi Jinping has in late talks focused on the significance of decreasing plastic waste, yet many significant Chinese urban communities have a next to zero framework set up to adapt to the development of biodegradable plastics creation. Plastic issues One of the primary difficulties with biodegradable plastics all around the world is that they can't be placed into normal family reusing or debased in-home fertilizing the soil receptacles - which means purchasers generally don't have any course to get biodegradable bundling to the sorts of mechanical offices fit for handling it. "Except if there is a clear framework for what we call 'end-of-life' - regardless of whether that is reusing or cremation or landfill or biodegradation somehow or another - at that point that is as yet a solitary utilize plastic," said Dr. Rachael Rothman, the co-overseer of the Grantham Center for Sustainable Futures at the University of Sheffield. "Because a plastic is biodegradable, that doesn't mean it isn't single-use," she said. Another classification of plastics made completely or incompletely from natural assets - frequently alluded to as "bioplastics" - are not really biodegradable, adding to likely disarray for buyers. Internationally, the mechanical foundation expected to handle biodegradable plastics - from assortment through to high-temperature treating the soil - doesn't exist at the scale expected to coordinate the volume of those plastics being delivered. "This is a worldwide issue, totally," said Dr. Rothman. "The UK has been counseling on bio-degradable and compostable plastics and there's another norm on biodegradability. In any case, when you take a gander at the subtleties, it says the material requirements to get to 60 degrees Celsius, and what plastic is going to 60 degrees in the UK?" Transportation off waste An investigation distributed in October in the diary Sciences Advances, which inspected information from 2016, assessed that the US was the world's driving plastic waste maker that year, trailed by India and afterward China. Taken, all things considered, the EU countries would be in the runner up, notwithstanding having just about 40% of the number of inhabitants in India and China. The US delivers enormous amounts of its plastic waste to different nations. In 2017 alone, China took in 7 million tons of plastic waste from Europe, Japan, and the US. China has since prohibited the import of 24 unique evaluations of garbage, however different nations including Malaysia, Turkey, the Philippines, and Indonesia, which as of now need to handle enormous amounts of their own plastic waste, have gotten a portion of the leeway. A portion of these nations has since sent a portion of the imported plastic waste back. The Greenpeace report distributed on Thursday cautions that supplanting single-use plastics with high-volume creation of different biodegradable options isn't the answer for the plastics squander issue. "This 'biodegradables surge' needs to stop. We need to investigate the impact and expected dangers of mainstreaming these materials, and ensure we put resources into arrangements that really diminish plastic waste," said Greenpeace's Dr. Jia. "Reusable bundling frameworks and a decrease in generally plastic use are significantly more encouraging methodologies to keep plastic out of landfills and the climate," she said.

China's biodegradable plastics 'failing to tackle pollution crisis'

China saw average concentrations of lung-damaging airborne particles known as PM2.5 fall by 10.8 per cent from January to July as industry slowed because of the coronavirus, data showed on Friday, though levels were still well above WHO recommendations.

Average PM2.5 stood at 33 micrograms per cubic metre over the seven months, according to data collected from monitoring stations in more than 300 cities, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said.

China's national standard is 35 micrograms, though the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends levels of no more than 10.

PM2.5 is caused by the burning of fossil fuels and other industrial processes and is associated with a range of health problems, including respiratory disease and cancer.

The environment ministry said the improvement in air quality throughout the country in February and March was "incomparable" after the government imposed lockdowns to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, which cut industrial activity and traffic.

But environmental groups have warned that China might turn a blind eye to industrial polluters and rely on energy-intensive processes to try to reverse the economic impact of the pandemic in the second half of the year.

"There was a temporary pollution increase in April but it quickly went down in May," said Li Shuo, senior energy and climate analyst with Greenpeace. "We need to see if July represents the beginning of a larger trend."

In July, average PM2.5 levels fell 5 per cent, but some regions saw a rebound. The capital, Beijing, saw average PM2.5 rise 10.8 per cent to 41 micrograms. The smog-prone Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region as a whole jumped 5.9 per cent to 36 micrograms.

"Industrial outputs are coming back to pre-Covid levels," said Li.

"Sometimes air quality would correspond with that, sometimes not. Weather and other conditions play a role here too."

China saw average concentrations of lung-damaging airborne particles known as PM2.5 fall by 10.8 per cent from January to July as industry slowed because of the coronavirus, data showed on Friday, though levels were still well above WHO recommendations.

China saw average concentrations of lung-damaging airborne particles known as PM2.5 fall by 10.8 per cent from January to July as industry slowed because of the coronavirus, data showed on Friday, though levels were still well above WHO recommendations. Average PM2.5 stood at 33 micrograms per cubic metre over the seven months, according to data collected from monitoring stations in more than 300 cities, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said. China's national standard is 35 micrograms, though the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends levels of no more than 10. PM2.5 is caused by the burning of fossil fuels and other industrial processes and is associated with a range of health problems, including respiratory disease and cancer. The environment ministry said the improvement in air quality throughout the country in February and March was "incomparable" after the government imposed lockdowns to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, which cut industrial activity and traffic. But environmental groups have warned that China might turn a blind eye to industrial polluters and rely on energy-intensive processes to try to reverse the economic impact of the pandemic in the second half of the year. "There was a temporary pollution increase in April but it quickly went down in May," said Li Shuo, senior energy and climate analyst with Greenpeace. "We need to see if July represents the beginning of a larger trend." In July, average PM2.5 levels fell 5 per cent, but some regions saw a rebound. The capital, Beijing, saw average PM2.5 rise 10.8 per cent to 41 micrograms. The smog-prone Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region as a whole jumped 5.9 per cent to 36 micrograms. "Industrial outputs are coming back to pre-Covid levels," said Li. "Sometimes air quality would correspond with that, sometimes not. Weather and other conditions play a role here too."

Air pollution in China drops by 10% owing to coronavirus restrictions

China's air quality improved substantially last year, the environment ministry said Monday, following a government crackdown on pollution and a weakening economy.

Thick smog clouds have plagued China's cities for years and represent the dark side of rapid development that has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty.

The country's economic miracle has rested firmly on the output of goods like steel, coal and cement, the production of which are all heavily polluting.

But last year the average level of microscopic airborne PM2.5 particles -- which penetrate deep into the lungs -- in 338 cities stood at 39 micrograms per cubic metre last year, a 9.3 per cent year-on-year fall, according to a ministry report.

It was an even greater improvement in air quality than 2017, which saw the average concentration of PM2.5 particles fall 6.5 percent from a year earlier, the report said.

Ecology and environment ministry chief Li Ganjie said Beijing would maintain its commitment to fight pollution, even as the country faces an economic slowdown.&nbsp;

"We resolutely oppose relaxing or being more lenient with environmental supervision and regulation," he said at a press conference on the sidelines of China's annual parliamentary meeting.

We cannot "sacrifice the environment in exchange for economic growth," he added.

China's economy grew at its slowest pace in almost three decades last year, with 6.4 per cent annualised growth in the last three months of 2018.

But Beijing has been forced to balance its concern over an economic slowdown with fears of a public backlash over environmental pollution.

Government authorities also ramped up enforcement of environmental regulations last year, levying a total of 15.28 billion yuan ($2.27 billion) in administrative penalties, a year-on-year boost of 32 per cent, according to the ministry's report.

China's air quality improved substantially last year, the environment ministry said Monday, following a government crackdown on pollution and a weakening economy.

China's air quality improved substantially last year, the environment ministry said Monday, following a government crackdown on pollution and a weakening economy. Thick smog clouds have plagued China's cities for years and represent the dark side of rapid development that has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. The country's economic miracle has rested firmly on the output of goods like steel, coal and cement, the production of which are all heavily polluting. But last year the average level of microscopic airborne PM2.5 particles -- which penetrate deep into the lungs -- in 338 cities stood at 39 micrograms per cubic metre last year, a 9.3 per cent year-on-year fall, according to a ministry report. It was an even greater improvement in air quality than 2017, which saw the average concentration of PM2.5 particles fall 6.5 percent from a year earlier, the report said. Ecology and environment ministry chief Li Ganjie said Beijing would maintain its commitment to fight pollution, even as the country faces an economic slowdown. "We resolutely oppose relaxing or being more lenient with environmental supervision and regulation," he said at a press conference on the sidelines of China's annual parliamentary meeting. We cannot "sacrifice the environment in exchange for economic growth," he added. China's economy grew at its slowest pace in almost three decades last year, with 6.4 per cent annualised growth in the last three months of 2018. But Beijing has been forced to balance its concern over an economic slowdown with fears of a public backlash over environmental pollution. Government authorities also ramped up enforcement of environmental regulations last year, levying a total of 15.28 billion yuan ($2.27 billion) in administrative penalties, a year-on-year boost of 32 per cent, according to the ministry's report.

China says air pollution dropped in 2018

China will adopt more efficient and targeted measures during its campaign against pollution next year, but will not relax the targets or ease the crackdown on violators, the environment ministry said in a statement on Monday night.

The push for new measures follows an annual meeting of top leaders last week which noted that the world`s second-largest economy is facing downward pressures.

"We will coordinate environmental protection with economic development and avoid simple and brutal forces to deal with violations," the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) said in a statement.

The ministry urged local environmental bureaus to help companies set pollution treatment solution plans and to pay attention to reasonable appeals of companies during environmental inspections.

Beijing has ditched blanket production cuts on heavy industry as part of its anti-pollution campaign and allowed local authorities to adopt measures based on regional emission levels. However, declining air quality in the past two months in northern China has stirred concerns that the government is easing up on violations.

The ministry did not disclose the air quality situation across 169 monitored cities in November.&nbsp;

However, Hebei province found that the average concentration of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), dangerous, because it can penetrate deep into the lungs, in all of its 11 cities, rose in November compared to a year earlier, according to a statement from the Hebei Environment Protection Bureau on Monday.

"China`s environmental protection campaign is facing multiple pressures...Some regions have weakened their cognition of the significance of the environment amid economic downstream pressure and we have seen imbalanced work progress in different places," said the MEE.

The MEE has scheduled a second round of national environmental inspections in 2019, and vowed to win the war against air pollution and promote water and soil protection.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, the MEE said it has issued 166,210 notices of penalty decisions to environmental regulation violators, with fines totalling 13.6 billion yuan ($1.98 billion) in the first 11 months this year. ($1 = 6.8783 Chinese yuan renminbi)

China will adopt more efficient and targeted measures during its campaign against pollution next year, but will not relax the targets or ease the crackdown on violators, the environment ministry said in a statement on Monday night.

China will adopt more efficient and targeted measures during its campaign against pollution next year, but will not relax the targets or ease the crackdown on violators, the environment ministry said in a statement on Monday night. The push for new measures follows an annual meeting of top leaders last week which noted that the world`s second-largest economy is facing downward pressures. "We will coordinate environmental protection with economic development and avoid simple and brutal forces to deal with violations," the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) said in a statement. The ministry urged local environmental bureaus to help companies set pollution treatment solution plans and to pay attention to reasonable appeals of companies during environmental inspections. Beijing has ditched blanket production cuts on heavy industry as part of its anti-pollution campaign and allowed local authorities to adopt measures based on regional emission levels. However, declining air quality in the past two months in northern China has stirred concerns that the government is easing up on violations. The ministry did not disclose the air quality situation across 169 monitored cities in November. However, Hebei province found that the average concentration of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), dangerous, because it can penetrate deep into the lungs, in all of its 11 cities, rose in November compared to a year earlier, according to a statement from the Hebei Environment Protection Bureau on Monday. "China`s environmental protection campaign is facing multiple pressures...Some regions have weakened their cognition of the significance of the environment amid economic downstream pressure and we have seen imbalanced work progress in different places," said the MEE. The MEE has scheduled a second round of national environmental inspections in 2019, and vowed to win the war against air pollution and promote water and soil protection. In a separate statement on Tuesday, the MEE said it has issued 166,210 notices of penalty decisions to environmental regulation violators, with fines totalling 13.6 billion yuan ($1.98 billion) in the first 11 months this year. ($1 = 6.8783 Chinese yuan renminbi)

China plans more nuanced anti-pollution measures in 2019: Ministry

A total of 79 Chinese cities have triggered air pollution alerts as severe winter smog covers wide swaths of the country, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

As of November 30, five cities had issued red pollution warnings, the most severe in China's pollution warning system, 73 had issued orange warnings, the second-most severe, and one city had issued a yellow warning, triggering the implementation of emergency management and control measures, Xinhua reported.

The affected cities lie in and around the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region that includes China's capital, as well as in the Fenwei plains area of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Henan provinces, and in the northern Yangtze River delta region, home to Jiangsu province, China's second-largest steelmaking hub.

China's capital issued its first air pollution alert for the winter season on November 23, and Jiangu province issued orange smog alerts in late November, forcing factories and utilities to slash output.

Northern China often sees heavy smog over the winter, which runs from mid-November to mid-March, as homes and power utilities burn more coal for power and heating.

On Saturday evening, the concentration of small particulate matter, known as PM2.5, at Beijing's Temple of Heaven was 193 micrograms per cubic metre, according to data from China's National Environmental Monitoring Centre, five-and-a-half times the state standard of 35 micrograms per cubic metre.

China has taken steps to broaden its campaign against air pollution, including extending a monthly air quality ranking to 169 cities from 74 to pressure local authorities to clean up dirty skies.

A total of 79 Chinese cities have triggered air pollution alerts as severe winter smog covers wide swaths of the country, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 79 Chinese cities have triggered air pollution alerts as severe winter smog covers wide swaths of the country, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday. As of November 30, five cities had issued red pollution warnings, the most severe in China's pollution warning system, 73 had issued orange warnings, the second-most severe, and one city had issued a yellow warning, triggering the implementation of emergency management and control measures, Xinhua reported. The affected cities lie in and around the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region that includes China's capital, as well as in the Fenwei plains area of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Henan provinces, and in the northern Yangtze River delta region, home to Jiangsu province, China's second-largest steelmaking hub. China's capital issued its first air pollution alert for the winter season on November 23, and Jiangu province issued orange smog alerts in late November, forcing factories and utilities to slash output. Northern China often sees heavy smog over the winter, which runs from mid-November to mid-March, as homes and power utilities burn more coal for power and heating. On Saturday evening, the concentration of small particulate matter, known as PM2.5, at Beijing's Temple of Heaven was 193 micrograms per cubic metre, according to data from China's National Environmental Monitoring Centre, five-and-a-half times the state standard of 35 micrograms per cubic metre. China has taken steps to broaden its campaign against air pollution, including extending a monthly air quality ranking to 169 cities from 74 to pressure local authorities to clean up dirty skies.

79 Chinese cities trigger air pollution alerts: Report

Three cities in China's northern province of Hebei have issued second-level or 'orange' pollution alerts, a state-backed newspaper reported on Wednesday, forcing industrial plants to cut output.

The major steelmaking hub of Handan, provincial capital Shijiazhuang and the city of Xingtai, are set to enforce emergency smog reduction measures from 6pm local time (1000 GMT) on Wednesday that will last until further notice, the Hebei Daily reported.

Under an orange alert, the second-highest warning behind red in China's four-tier system, steel mills must halve their output, while coal-fired power utilities must operate at "minimum" levels.

The move comes after the country's environment watchdog warned that smog was likely to blanket Hebei from October 31 to November 5 due to high temperatures and humid conditions.

The alerts mark the second wave of orange warnings issued by the region in the last two weeks.

The environment ministry at its regular briefing on Wednesday again warned of adverse weather condition this winter in northern and eastern China.

Three cities in China's northern province of Hebei have issued second-level or 'orange' pollution alerts, a state-backed newspaper reported on Wednesday, forcing industrial plants to cut output.

Three cities in China's northern province of Hebei have issued second-level or 'orange' pollution alerts, a state-backed newspaper reported on Wednesday, forcing industrial plants to cut output. The major steelmaking hub of Handan, provincial capital Shijiazhuang and the city of Xingtai, are set to enforce emergency smog reduction measures from 6pm local time (1000 GMT) on Wednesday that will last until further notice, the Hebei Daily reported. Under an orange alert, the second-highest warning behind red in China's four-tier system, steel mills must halve their output, while coal-fired power utilities must operate at "minimum" levels. The move comes after the country's environment watchdog warned that smog was likely to blanket Hebei from October 31 to November 5 due to high temperatures and humid conditions. The alerts mark the second wave of orange warnings issued by the region in the last two weeks. The environment ministry at its regular briefing on Wednesday again warned of adverse weather condition this winter in northern and eastern China.

Three cities in industrial Chinese province of Hebei issue pollution alerts

Four more Chinese regions have been accused of faking efforts to rectify environmental problems and paying only lip service to the country's war on pollution, according to reports published by the environment ministry on Monday.

The provinces of Henan and Yunnan, as well as the region of Guangxi, were accused of "superficial", "fake" or "perfunctory" rectifications, according to the latest reviews published by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE). Parts of Guangdong province near Hong Kong were also castigated for failing to take responsibility for violations.

To improve compliance with environmental rules, the central government has dispatched teams across China to ascertain how much has been done to rectify the thousands of problems identified during previous inspections. The teams responsible for Ningxia, Hebei and Jiangsu issued reports last week.

The MEE report noted that Henan province in central China failed to demolish illegal industrial operations in protected nature reserves. And, while the province had been allocated $12.55 million&nbsp;by the central government to protect wetlands during the last two years, it only spent 5 per cent of it.

Meanwhile, the southwestern region of Guangxi was accused of failing to curb illegal waste imports, and also saw air and water pollution worsen last year. It also failed to tackle pollution by livestock and poultry farms.

Yunnan province, also in southwest China, was still paying little more than lip service to rectifying violations, and continued to face huge problems curbing pollution from heavy metal production and livestock farming, inspectors said.

Only 15 of the 173 large-scale non-ferrous metal producers in the province were included on a list of firms that complied with industry standards, and many smaller plants had expanded illegally and were discharging pollution without a permit, the MEE said.

By June, Yunnan Luoping Zinc &amp; Electric, a major metals producer in the province, had still not disposed of nearly 100,000 tonnes of hazardous slag identified during last year's inspections, and another 100,000 tonnes of waste had accumulated at another site, the ministry added.

Yunnan Luoping Zinc could not immediately be reached for comment, but it announced in August that it had resolved all its outstanding environmental problems after signing agreements with waste recycling and transportation firms this year.

Four more Chinese regions have been accused of faking efforts to rectify environmental problems and paying only lip service to the country's war on pollution, according to reports published by the environment ministry on Monday.

Four more Chinese regions have been accused of faking efforts to rectify environmental problems and paying only lip service to the country's war on pollution, according to reports published by the environment ministry on Monday. The provinces of Henan and Yunnan, as well as the region of Guangxi, were accused of "superficial", "fake" or "perfunctory" rectifications, according to the latest reviews published by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE). Parts of Guangdong province near Hong Kong were also castigated for failing to take responsibility for violations. To improve compliance with environmental rules, the central government has dispatched teams across China to ascertain how much has been done to rectify the thousands of problems identified during previous inspections. The teams responsible for Ningxia, Hebei and Jiangsu issued reports last week. The MEE report noted that Henan province in central China failed to demolish illegal industrial operations in protected nature reserves. And, while the province had been allocated $12.55 million by the central government to protect wetlands during the last two years, it only spent 5 per cent of it. Meanwhile, the southwestern region of Guangxi was accused of failing to curb illegal waste imports, and also saw air and water pollution worsen last year. It also failed to tackle pollution by livestock and poultry farms. Yunnan province, also in southwest China, was still paying little more than lip service to rectifying violations, and continued to face huge problems curbing pollution from heavy metal production and livestock farming, inspectors said. Only 15 of the 173 large-scale non-ferrous metal producers in the province were included on a list of firms that complied with industry standards, and many smaller plants had expanded illegally and were discharging pollution without a permit, the MEE said. By June, Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electric, a major metals producer in the province, had still not disposed of nearly 100,000 tonnes of hazardous slag identified during last year's inspections, and another 100,000 tonnes of waste had accumulated at another site, the ministry added. Yunnan Luoping Zinc could not immediately be reached for comment, but it announced in August that it had resolved all its outstanding environmental problems after signing agreements with waste recycling and transportation firms this year.

Chinese government accuses four more regions of fake pollution compliance

More than one million Indians died in 2015 due to worsening air pollution levels, according to a report published by US-based institutes.

The data lays bare the past Indian government&#39;s policies towards improving the air quality. There has been a 50 per cent spike in early deaths related to the deteriorating problem between 1990 and 2015.

Globally, there were 4.2 million premature deaths and a loss of 103 million healthy years of life in 2015, making air pollution the fifth-highest cause of death among all health risks, according to a Health Effects Institute report.

The study found that China and India were responsible for over half of the total global attributable deaths.

The report also stated that only one in 10 people&nbsp;live in places that have clean air.

&ldquo;We are seeing increasing air pollution problems worldwide, and this new report and website details why that air pollution is a major contributor to early death,&rdquo; said Dan Greenbaum, President of the Health Effects Institute (HEI1 ), the global research institute that designed and implemented the study.

&ldquo;The trends we report show that we have seen progress in some parts of the world &ndash; but serious challenges remain,&rdquo; he added.

Although China has been long criticised for its poor air quality, the number of deaths linked to high pollution has stabilised in recent years.

The latest data will be an eye-opener for the Indian government as it has downplayed the significance of poor air quality in the past.

HEI&#39;s analysis is the first of a new series of annual reports and accompanying interactive website, designed and implemented by the Health Effects Institute in cooperation with the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington and the University of British Columbia.

A UN report had last year said that Asia and the Middle East, and low-and middle-income countries are the most affected regions.

United Nation&#39;s World Health Organization said that the major sources of air pollution were: inefficient modes of transport (polluting fuels and vehicles), inefficient combustion of household fuels for cooking, lighting and heating, coal-fired power plants, agriculture, and waste burning.

(WION)

A study by US-based institutes said the number of early deaths due to toxic air had spiked by 50% between 1990 and 2015

More than one million Indians died in 2015 due to worsening air pollution levels, according to a report published by US-based institutes. The data lays bare the past Indian government's policies towards improving the air quality. There has been a 50 per cent spike in early deaths related to the deteriorating problem between 1990 and 2015. Globally, there were 4.2 million premature deaths and a loss of 103 million healthy years of life in 2015, making air pollution the fifth-highest cause of death among all health risks, according to a Health Effects Institute report. The study found that China and India were responsible for over half of the total global attributable deaths. The report also stated that only one in 10 people live in places that have clean air. “We are seeing increasing air pollution problems worldwide, and this new report and website details why that air pollution is a major contributor to early death,” said Dan Greenbaum, President of the Health Effects Institute (HEI1 ), the global research institute that designed and implemented the study. “The trends we report show that we have seen progress in some parts of the world – but serious challenges remain,” he added. Although China has been long criticised for its poor air quality, the number of deaths linked to high pollution has stabilised in recent years. The latest data will be an eye-opener for the Indian government as it has downplayed the significance of poor air quality in the past. HEI's analysis is the first of a new series of annual reports and accompanying interactive website, designed and implemented by the Health Effects Institute in cooperation with the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington and the University of British Columbia. A UN report had last year said that Asia and the Middle East, and low-and middle-income countries are the most affected regions. United Nation's World Health Organization said that the major sources of air pollution were: inefficient modes of transport (polluting fuels and vehicles), inefficient combustion of household fuels for cooking, lighting and heating, coal-fired power plants, agriculture, and waste burning. (WION)

More than one million Indians died due to poor air quality in 2015: Report

Heavy fog and haze blanketed several cities in north and east China on Tuesday, causing travel disruption on the first day back at work following the three-day New Year holiday.

The city of Shijiazhuang, capital of north China&#39;s Hebei Province, issued orange alerts for heavy fog on Tuesday. As of 16:00 on Tuesday afternoon, a total of 152 outbound and inbound flights were canceled at the Shijiazhuang International Airport.

Fog and air pollution worsened visibility on roads in Shangqiu City in central China&#39;s Henan Province on Tuesday morning, resulting in the closure of all major expressways in the city.

The city also shut down all outdoor activities in local schools to prevent students from being affected by the poor air quality.

In Hefei, the capital of east China&#39;s Anhui Province, heavy fog brought down visibility to less than 30 meters on Tuesday morning. Local traffic resumed as the fog began to lift at around 15:00. But the fog continued to linger in the upper air.

(Reuters)

Fog and air pollution worsened visibility on roads in Shangqiu City in central China's Henan Province

Heavy fog and haze blanketed several cities in north and east China on Tuesday, causing travel disruption on the first day back at work following the three-day New Year holiday. The city of Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province, issued orange alerts for heavy fog on Tuesday. As of 16:00 on Tuesday afternoon, a total of 152 outbound and inbound flights were canceled at the Shijiazhuang International Airport. Fog and air pollution worsened visibility on roads in Shangqiu City in central China's Henan Province on Tuesday morning, resulting in the closure of all major expressways in the city. The city also shut down all outdoor activities in local schools to prevent students from being affected by the poor air quality. In Hefei, the capital of east China's Anhui Province, heavy fog brought down visibility to less than 30 meters on Tuesday morning. Local traffic resumed as the fog began to lift at around 15:00. But the fog continued to linger in the upper air. (Reuters)

China: Heavy fog disrupts traffic

Heavy smog in northern China on Sunday caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled and highways to shut, disrupting the first day of the new year holiday.

Large parts of the north were hit by hazardous smog in mid-December, leading authorities to order hundreds of factories to close and to restrict motorists to cut emissions.

The latest bout of air pollution began on Friday and is expected to persist until Thursday, although it will ease slightly on Monday, the last day of the new year holiday.

In Beijing, 24 flights were cancelled at the city&#39;s main airport and all buses from there to neighbouring cities suspended, the airport said in a statement on its official microblog.

Average concentrations of small breathable particles&nbsp;known as PM2.5&nbsp;were higher than 500 micrograms per cubic metre in Beijing &mdash;&nbsp;50 times higher than World Health Organization recommendations.

In Tianjin, Beijing&#39;s next door metropolis, the smog was not as serious but visibility much worse, with more than 200 flights cancelled at Tianjin airport and conditions not expected to improve in the near term, the city government said.

Some bus routes and highways in Tianjin were also closed due to the smog, the government added.

In Shijiazhuang, the provincial capital of Hebei province that surrounds most of the Beijing, about two dozen flights were cancelled and eight flights diverted to other airports because of the smog, the People&#39;s Daily said on its website.

A total of 24 Chinese cities have issued red alerts for the current round of pollution, which mandate measures like limiting car usage and closing factories, while 21 have issued orange alerts, including Beijing and Tianjin.

China began a &quot;war on pollution&quot; in 2014 amid concerns its heavy industrial past was tarnishing its global reputation and holding back its future development, but it has struggled to effectively tackle the problem.

Pollution alerts are common in northern China, especially during winter when energy demand, much of it met by coal, soars. 
 
The country&#39;s northern provinces mostly rely on the burning of hundreds of millions of tonnes of coal each year for heating during northern China&#39;s bitterly cold winters.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Alerts were issued in 24 cities, as average concentrations of small breathable particles were 50 times higher than WHO recommendations

Heavy smog in northern China on Sunday caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled and highways to shut, disrupting the first day of the new year holiday. Large parts of the north were hit by hazardous smog in mid-December, leading authorities to order hundreds of factories to close and to restrict motorists to cut emissions. The latest bout of air pollution began on Friday and is expected to persist until Thursday, although it will ease slightly on Monday, the last day of the new year holiday. In Beijing, 24 flights were cancelled at the city's main airport and all buses from there to neighbouring cities suspended, the airport said in a statement on its official microblog. Average concentrations of small breathable particles known as PM2.5 were higher than 500 micrograms per cubic metre in Beijing — 50 times higher than World Health Organization recommendations. In Tianjin, Beijing's next door metropolis, the smog was not as serious but visibility much worse, with more than 200 flights cancelled at Tianjin airport and conditions not expected to improve in the near term, the city government said. Some bus routes and highways in Tianjin were also closed due to the smog, the government added. In Shijiazhuang, the provincial capital of Hebei province that surrounds most of the Beijing, about two dozen flights were cancelled and eight flights diverted to other airports because of the smog, the People's Daily said on its website. A total of 24 Chinese cities have issued red alerts for the current round of pollution, which mandate measures like limiting car usage and closing factories, while 21 have issued orange alerts, including Beijing and Tianjin. China began a "war on pollution" in 2014 amid concerns its heavy industrial past was tarnishing its global reputation and holding back its future development, but it has struggled to effectively tackle the problem. Pollution alerts are common in northern China, especially during winter when energy demand, much of it met by coal, soars. The country's northern provinces mostly rely on the burning of hundreds of millions of tonnes of coal each year for heating during northern China's bitterly cold winters. (Reuters)

Heavy smog in China cancels hundreds of flights, shuts highways

Beijing&#39;s city government has ordered 1,200 factories near the Chinese capital, including an oil refinery run by state oil major Sinopec and a Cofco food plant, to either shut or cut output following its highest possible air pollution warning.

Environmental authorities issued a red alert that started on Friday night and will run until Wednesday after warning of a smog build-up across China&#39;s north. That will mean curbs on traffic and construction work and advisories for schools, hospitals and businesses.

The municipal government said in a statement Sinopec&#39;s 10 million tonne-per-year Yanshan refinery, a Shougang Group steel product plant and a Cofco factory that makes instant noodles and crackers were among 500 companies it had ordered to limit output.

It also listed 700 companies that must suspend operations altogether.

Red alerts are issued when the air quality index (AQI), a measure of pollutants in the air, is forecast to break 200 for more than four days in succession, surpass 300 for more than two days or overshoot 500 for at least 24 hours.

The AQI reading in Beijing on Saturday was 120.

Ten cities in the province of Hebei, which surrounds Beijing and is the nation&#39; top steel-producing region, have been issued with red alerts for smog. Steel plants there have been forced to cut output.

The world&#39;s second-largest economy has been battling environmental degradation left by decades of breakneck economic growth. The government&#39;s colour-graded warning system was adopted as part of its crackdown on smog.

(Reuters)

Environmental authorities issued a red alert that started on Friday night and will run until Wednesday

Beijing's city government has ordered 1,200 factories near the Chinese capital, including an oil refinery run by state oil major Sinopec and a Cofco food plant, to either shut or cut output following its highest possible air pollution warning. Environmental authorities issued a red alert that started on Friday night and will run until Wednesday after warning of a smog build-up across China's north. That will mean curbs on traffic and construction work and advisories for schools, hospitals and businesses. The municipal government said in a statement Sinopec's 10 million tonne-per-year Yanshan refinery, a Shougang Group steel product plant and a Cofco factory that makes instant noodles and crackers were among 500 companies it had ordered to limit output. It also listed 700 companies that must suspend operations altogether. Red alerts are issued when the air quality index (AQI), a measure of pollutants in the air, is forecast to break 200 for more than four days in succession, surpass 300 for more than two days or overshoot 500 for at least 24 hours. The AQI reading in Beijing on Saturday was 120. Ten cities in the province of Hebei, which surrounds Beijing and is the nation' top steel-producing region, have been issued with red alerts for smog. Steel plants there have been forced to cut output. The world's second-largest economy has been battling environmental degradation left by decades of breakneck economic growth. The government's colour-graded warning system was adopted as part of its crackdown on smog. (Reuters)

Under pollution alert, 1200 factories to shut or cut output in Beijing

Environmental authorities in China have advised 23 northern cities to issue red alerts, the highest possible air pollution warning, on Friday evening, against the &quot;worst&quot; smog the country has experienced since autumn, state media said.

China issued its first ever red alert for smog in Beijing, the capital, last December, after adopting a colour-graded warning system in a crackdown on environmental degradation left by decades of breakneck economic growth.

Officials in Beijing issued a red alert on Thursday after the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) warned of a smog build-up across China&#39;s north, saying the alert was expected to run until December 21.

The ministry has also advised 22 more cities reeling under pollution to issue the red alert warning, the official China Daily said on Friday.

Nine cities, including Jinan in the province of Shangdong were advised to issue the lower-status orange alert, Liu Bingjing, the ministry&#39;s head of air quality management, told the paper.

The notification will be the third joint warning by city governments this month, Liu added.

Regular episodes of smog blanketing northern China this year stem from a combination of local emissions, unfavourable weather and pollutants wafted in from elsewhere, Bai Qiuyong, head of China&#39;s Environmental Monitoring Center, told the paper.

Environmental authorities in Hebei province, which borders capital city Beijing, asked for a level one emergency response from major cities in the region to begin from Friday, according to a post on its official Weibo account late on Thursday.

The order requires a&nbsp;large number of heavy polluting industries in these cities, including in Tangshan, China&#39;s steel capital, to cut back or halt production until Wednesday.

Red alerts are issued in Beijing when the air quality index, a measure of pollutants, is forecast to break 200 for more than four days in succession, surpass 300 for more than two days or overshoot 500 for at least 24 hours.

At each level, the colour-graded warning system prescribes advisories for schools, hospitals and businesses, as well as possible curbs on traffic and construction.

Thresholds for the issue of alerts vary among cities, as do the cautionary measures urged on local residents and businesses at each stage.

Residents of smaller cities near Beijing have previously complained that local government bodies failed to issue warnings when pollution was just as severe as in the capital.

(Reuters)

Officials in Beijing issued a red alert on Thursday, saying the alert is expected to run until December 21

Environmental authorities in China have advised 23 northern cities to issue red alerts, the highest possible air pollution warning, on Friday evening, against the "worst" smog the country has experienced since autumn, state media said. China issued its first ever red alert for smog in Beijing, the capital, last December, after adopting a colour-graded warning system in a crackdown on environmental degradation left by decades of breakneck economic growth. Officials in Beijing issued a red alert on Thursday after the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) warned of a smog build-up across China's north, saying the alert was expected to run until December 21. The ministry has also advised 22 more cities reeling under pollution to issue the red alert warning, the official China Daily said on Friday. Nine cities, including Jinan in the province of Shangdong were advised to issue the lower-status orange alert, Liu Bingjing, the ministry's head of air quality management, told the paper. The notification will be the third joint warning by city governments this month, Liu added. Regular episodes of smog blanketing northern China this year stem from a combination of local emissions, unfavourable weather and pollutants wafted in from elsewhere, Bai Qiuyong, head of China's Environmental Monitoring Center, told the paper. Environmental authorities in Hebei province, which borders capital city Beijing, asked for a level one emergency response from major cities in the region to begin from Friday, according to a post on its official Weibo account late on Thursday. The order requires a large number of heavy polluting industries in these cities, including in Tangshan, China's steel capital, to cut back or halt production until Wednesday. Red alerts are issued in Beijing when the air quality index, a measure of pollutants, is forecast to break 200 for more than four days in succession, surpass 300 for more than two days or overshoot 500 for at least 24 hours. At each level, the colour-graded warning system prescribes advisories for schools, hospitals and businesses, as well as possible curbs on traffic and construction. Thresholds for the issue of alerts vary among cities, as do the cautionary measures urged on local residents and businesses at each stage. Residents of smaller cities near Beijing have previously complained that local government bodies failed to issue warnings when pollution was just as severe as in the capital. (Reuters)

China: Environmental authorities advise 23 northern cities to issue red alerts for smog

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