How Beijing and London Addressed the Challenge of Severe Smog

Severe smog has been a major issue in both Beijing and London, caused primarily by industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and reliance on coal for energy.

Despite differing historical, economic, and social contexts, both cities have implemented significant measures to tackle the challenge of smog, setting examples for urban centers worldwide.

London: Lessons from the Great Smog of 1952

London’s battle with smog gained international attention during the Great Smog of 1952, which caused thousands of premature deaths.

This catastrophe highlighted the dangers of unchecked industrial activity and coal burning.

Policy Interventions:

Clean Air Act (1956 & 1968): These landmark laws restricted the burning of coal in urban areas and mandated the use of smokeless fuels.

Creation of smoke control zones, requiring households and industries to adopt cleaner energy sources.
Shift to Cleaner Energy:

Transition from coal to cleaner energy sources like gas and electricity was incentivized.

Investments in natural gas infrastructure helped reduce reliance on polluting fuels.

Vehicle Emission Standards:

Introduction of stricter regulations on vehicle emissions, particularly with the advent of diesel cars.

Urban Planning and Monitoring:

Increased greenery and promotion of public transportation reduced reliance on private vehicles.

Continuous air quality monitoring allowed for real-time data and actionable insights.

Beijing: Combatting Modern-Day Smog

Beijing, faced with rapid industrialization and urbanization, experienced severe smog events in the 21st century. The Chinese government adopted a multi-faceted approach to tackle this crisis.

Regulatory Frameworks:

Implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (2013):

This set ambitious targets for reducing PM2.5 levels by curbing emissions from industries and vehicles.

Stricter enforcement of environmental laws with heavy penalties for non-compliance.

Industrial Reforms:

Relocation and closure of heavily polluting industries from urban areas.

Promotion of clean production techniques in factories.

Vehicle Emission Control:

Introduction of stringent emission standards, equivalent to Euro 6 in developed countries.

Reduction of vehicle numbers through licensing restrictions and promotion of electric vehicles.

Transition to Clean Energy:

Massive investments in renewable energy such as wind and solar power.

Phasing out coal-fired power plants near Beijing and replacing them with natural gas.

Public Awareness and Participation:

Public campaigns educated citizens on the importance of reducing personal pollution contributions.

Incentives for adopting greener practices, such as subsidies for electric vehicles.

Key Takeaways

Both cities demonstrate that addressing severe smog requires:

Strong and enforceable legislation.

Technological and industrial upgrades to reduce emissions.

Public participation and awareness.

Investment in cleaner energy and transportation alternatives.

While London’s smog crisis arose in a pre-globalization era and was largely resolved by the mid-20th century, Beijing’s experience reflects modern challenges of rapid industrialization.

Both cities continue to innovate and serve as models for urban centers tackling air pollution globally.