How Delhi can learn from Beijing & London to combat air pollution
As a Tsinghua University graduate student in Beijing, I couldn't help but reflect on how the city had faced a similar crisis not too long ago. Its infamous 'airpocalypse' seemed overwhelming. Yet, Beijing transformed its skies from grey to blue, setting a compelling blueprint for reform. Cities like Beijing — and London — have shown that with political will, change is possible.
Beijing reduced PM2.5 levels by over 50% between 2013 and 2017. A 3-year action plan, 'Blue Sky War', targeted pollution at its source. Coal consumption was reduced through cleaner natural gas, shutting down coal-fired plants and relocating polluting industries. Stricter emission standards were enforced for vehicles and factories, alongside aggressive EV promotion and public transport subsidies.
The city also prioritised urban greenery, converting rooftops and industrial sites into green spaces to mitigate pollution. However, replicating Beijing's strategy requires caution, as many coal plants were relocated outside central Beijing, transferring pollution rather than eliminating it. Transitioning to cleaner plants, or phasing out coal, is essential to avoid burdening vulnerable communities elsewhere.
What truly made the difference, as highlighted in Siddharth Singh's 2018 book, The Great Smog of India, was that Beijing succeeded by elevating air pollution to the highest political priority. The Blue Sky policy became a central framework, with leaders making public commitments and holding local officials accountable.
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