In June, China’s State Council approved the Ministry of Environmental Protection’s Airborne Prevention and Control Action Plan. China’s government will fund the 2013–2017 Plan at CNY 1,700 billion ($277 billion). Details of the Plan are not finalized, but allowable amounts of particulate matter that measure 2.5 µm or less in diameter, known as PM 2.5 particles, will be lowered. The Plan focuses on North China. By 2017, the Plan aims to lower emissions in this region 25% compared to 2012 levels. Over the same time period, Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang plan to reduce PM 2.5 levels by 25%, 20% and 30%, respectively, while Shanghai will aim for a 20% reduction. A plan focused on airborne pollution prevention in 13 Chinese regions was announced last year. The government is also considering a volatile organic compounds emission control project in China’s 13 most heavily polluted areas. Two upcoming nationwide environmental plans will target water pollution and the rural environment.

Source: China Daily