Civic Exchange 2009 The Air We Breathe Conference - Experts Symposium 9 January 2009 The Beijing Olympics Experience presented by Prof. Zhu Tong (College of Environmental Studies and Engineering, Peking University) http://air.dialogue.org.hk

1. The Beijing Olympics experience –
what is needed to make a mega-event
produce long lasting benefits for host cities?
Tong Zhu
College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Peking university, Beijing , China
and the CAREBEIJING team
(Campaigns of Air Quality Research in Beijing and Surrounding Region)

2. Air Quality in Beijing has been improved
Attainment days are increasing (Source: Beijing EPB)
Attainment Days PM10 !g m-3 SO2 !g m-3 NO2 !g m-3 CO mg m-3
2000 177(48.4%) 162 71 71 2.7
2001 185(50.7%) 165 64 71 2.6
2002 203(55.6%) 166 67 76 2.5
2003 224(61.4%) 141 61 72 2.4
2004 229(62.5%) 149 55 72 2.2
2005 234(64.1%) 142 50 66 2.0
2006 241(66.0%) 161 53 66 2.1
2007 246(67.4%) 148 47 66 2.0

3. The improvement can be attributed to the 14 stages of
air pollution controlling measures in Beijing, since 1998.
Close and/relocate polluting industry
Close small size coal burner/stoves
Change the energy structure, replacing coal with natural gas
Control the dust from construction site
Strict vehicle emission standards, European IV
Phase out old fleets of buses, passenger cars, and trucks
Power plants: control on SO2, NOx, and particle emission

4. The vehicle number is increasing fast in Beijing
since 1990
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
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1.5
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0.5
0.0
1980 1990 1995 2000 2003 2006

5. TOMS
MODIS TOR
AOD O3
Monthly
100km
MOPITT
NO2
(6day, CO
25km) Once every
3-6 days
100 km
(Alexis Lau, HKUST)

6. Main Findings of CAREBEIJING
Integrated observation of ground, towers, aircraft, and satellite
1. Regional Efforts required
2. Controlling SO2 is an effective way in
reducing fine particle concentration
3. Controlling VOC is an effective way in
reducing O3
~40-60% VOC from Vehicle emission
3. Besides traffic control, systematic
controlling measures, including those
for construction and industries, are
necessary. Aircraft
Regional Controlling Policy
Suggestions: Central
Government Adopted !"#NO2$%&'()*+
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7. Area: 1.17 M. km2, Population: 240 M, GDP in 2006: Beijing:
5.2 Trillion RMB,18%, 19%, and 25% of China 1. Shift of energy structure
2. Restructuring of the industry
3. Install and operating
Inner Mongolia: pollution prevention and
1. Install and control measures
operating pollution 4. Traffic control
prevention and
control measures
Shanxi:
1. Shift of energy
structure
2. Restructuring of the
industry
3. Install and
operating pollution
prevention and
control measures
Tianjin:
Hebei: 1. Shift of energy structure
1. Shift of energy structure 2. Restructuring of the
2. Restructuring of the Shandong: industry
industry 1. Install and 3. Install and operating
3. Install and operating operating pollution pollution prevention and
pollution prevention and prevention and control measures
control measures control measures 4. Traffic control
4. Traffic control

8. HEART (Health Effects of Air Pollution
Reduction Trial) (HEI+NIEHS, Beijing EPB)
Pre-Olympics During-Olympics Post-Olympics
V1 V6
V2 V5
6/10 V3 V4
to 10/20
6/23 to
10/31
6/24 10/6
8/4 8/16
to to
to to
7/7 10/17
8/15 8/29
July 20, September 24,
2008 2008

9. CAREBeijing-H Study Schedule
(NSFC, Beijing EPB)
Pre-Olympics During-Olympics
Post-Olympics
Children Children
Panel Elderly
Panel
Panel
CVD Elderly Children
Elderly Panel Elderly Panel 10/20
Panel
6/9-20 Panel to
June, 10/31
Sept 6/23-7/11 9/1 -12
July-Aug 8/11-15
8/23-29
9/15-19
Summer July 20, September 24,
2007 2008 2008

10. Long lasting benefits:
• air quality improvement
• public awareness (health study)
• experience and confidence among authorities and
scientific community
• infrastructure: energy, industry, transportation
• a case for cost-benefits analysis
• models for other cities:
Shanghai World Expo, Guangzhou Asian Game
Reasons for success:
1. Strong political will:
Long term commitment and clear goal: 14 stages action in Beijing
Central government coordinates regional efforts
2. Systematic research:
Solid Scientific Evidences, Blue Sky, 8M, 12 M, 26 M RMB projects
3. Public concern and pressure: daily life + Olympics
4. Favorable meteorological condition