According to according to the IQAir international air monitoring platform IQAir, the air quality index (AQI) in the city exceeded the 200 mark, which corresponds to the “very harmful” category for health. As of Thursday morning, the concentration of PM2.5 particles reached more than 130-150 µg/m3, which is 5-6 times higher than the recommended limit of the World Health Organization (15 µg/m3 for daily value).
The increase in pollution is attributed to a combination of factors including increased industrial activity, use of coal-fired generation and unfavorable meteorological conditions. According to Chinese meteorological services, weak winds and a temperature inversion contributed to the accumulation of pollutants in the surface layer of the atmosphere.
“Episodes like this show how vulnerable even the largest cities are to a combination of weather and industrial factors,” said Li Sho, China director at Greenpeace East Asia. – Despite significant progress in recent years, structural dependence on fossil fuels persists and continues to affect air quality.”
Large-scale investments in clean energy
Over the past decade, China has implemented an ambitious anti-pollution program, investing heavily in the transition to cleaner energy sources and industrial upgrades.
According to according to an official report, as reported by Chinese publication Zhenmin Zhibao, China has invested about $625 billion in clean energy development in 2024 – about a third of the world’s investment in the sector, including solar and wind power and energy storage infrastructure. In 2023, the investment was even higher – $676 billion specifically in green transformation. China has thus become the largest investor in clean energy and emissions reduction.
This is having an effect. According to official data, the average annual concentration of PM2.5 in Beijing has decreased by more than 50% compared to the early 2010s.
The fragility of the progress made
Yet the current surge underscores the fragility of these gains. Experts note that under economic pressure, authorities may temporarily relax environmental restrictions to support growth, which directly affects emissions.
For global markets, the situation in Beijing sends a signal: environmental risks remain a key factor influencing economic policies and investment strategies. Increased pollution could accelerate regulatory action, spur the development of green technologies, and change the balance between growth and sustainability in the world’s second largest economy.
