China’s top environment watchdog said the country met basic emission targets last year, but it still faces serious challenges in improving the quality of water, air and soil.
China emitted over 23 million tons of chemical oxygen demand or COD, a measure of organic matter in waste water, and about 2.4 million tons of ammonia nitrogen into its water last year. Both of the levels are about three percent lower than the previous year.
The country also cut emissions of sulphur dioxide and ozone during 2013. Despite the minor improvements, the country’s water quality is not looking positive. Over half of the major rivers have experienced slight or medium level pollution.
Air quality is looking even more grim. Only four percent of the cities monitored met the standards, after new air quality standards were introduced. Also in 2013, China’s total arable land decreased by 80 thousand hectares due to soil degradation.
The severity of the pollution prompted Premier Li Keqiang to say in March that it was time for China to "declare war" on pollution.
"The ministry is resolved to tackle the air, water and soil pollution in China. In terms of air pollution, we will try to accelerate industrial upgrading, increase the energy efficiency in some of the worst polluted cities; We are also going to speed up the legislative process of an action plan on water and soil pollution prevention, to curb pollution and improve on the environment." said Li Ganjie, Vice Minister, Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Early this April, China passed sweeping revisions to its Environmental Protection Law, which aim to take a tough stance against industrial polluters, imposing stricter fines and punishments.
"The new environmental protection law has specified new binding measures, for example the government will close the industrial polluters and confiscate their equipment. In terms of fines, there’s no limit. And social organizations are encouraged to initiate public lawsuits on behalf of citizens." said Li Ganjie, Vice Minister, Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Li Ganjie also pledged to make improvements in the area of transparency, when it comes to addressing environmental issues.