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China Sets Stricter Air Quality Standards
26 Feb
Summary
- New standards significantly lower PM2.5 and PM10 limits.
- China's PM2.5 annual average dropped from 68 to 28 mcg/cubic m.
- Pollution control measures to cut over 7 billion tons of carbon.
China has implemented significantly stricter national air quality standards, reinforcing its commitment to sustained environmental improvements. The revised Ambient Air Quality Standards GB 3095-2026 lower limits for PM2.5, PM10, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
The annual average concentration for PM2.5, a major health threat, is now set at 25 micrograms per cubic meter, down from 35. Similarly, PM10's annual limit is reduced to 50 mcg/cubic m from 70. These new benchmarks are largely consistent with the World Health Organization's 2021 global air quality guidelines.
These measures are expected to greatly benefit public health and aid China's transition to carbon neutrality. From 2013 to 2025, China saw remarkable progress, with its annual average PM2.5 concentration falling from 68 to 28 mcg/cubic m. The ministry anticipates that pollution control efforts under the new standards will yield a co-benefit of reducing carbon emissions by over 7 billion metric tons between 2026 and 2035.
The updated standards will be phased in, with transitional limits in effect from March 1, 2026, to 2030. The revision reflects a drive towards international best practices and is projected to deliver health returns nearly ten times the investment in pollution control.
