CLEAN AIR AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES IN CHINA

The briefing addresses the urgency of improving air quality in China following severe pollution events in Beijing. It argues that while fuel quality standards are a necessary first step, long-term success requires avoiding car-reliant urban development. The author advocates for 'transit-oriented development' characterized by walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods and high-quality public transit, specifically Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), to reduce transportation-related emissions. Additionally, the document highlights the role of energy-efficient building standards in reducing power plant pollution and the benefit of compact cities in preserving natural ecosystems.

• Transportation-related emissions are currently the fastest growing source of air pollution in China, and traffic congestion is already causing paralysis in many cities despite car ownership being below five percent of the population.
• To achieve sustainable cities, China should implement transit-oriented development, which includes walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods, dedicated bike lanes, and high population and job density at major transit hubs.
• Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is identified as a key solution for public transit due to its ability to move passengers at metro speeds at a lower cost and faster construction time; China's 12th Five Year Plan targets 3,000 kilometers of BRT by 2015.
• Robust and enforced energy efficiency standards for buildings contribute to cleaner air by reducing the amount of electricity consumed, which in turn lowers pollution from power plants.

APA

Energy Innovation (2012). CLEAN AIR AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES IN CHINA. https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/clean-air-and-sustainable-cities-in-china.pdf

Chicago

Energy Innovation. CLEAN AIR AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES IN CHINA. 2012. https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/clean-air-and-sustainable-cities-in-china.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Energy Innovation |title=CLEAN AIR AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES IN CHINA |date=9 April 2012 |url=https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/clean-air-and-sustainable-cities-in-china.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{energyinnovation2012clean, author = {{Energy Innovation}}, title = {{CLEAN AIR AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES IN CHINA}}, institution = {Energy Innovation}, year = {2012}, month = apr, url = {https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/clean-air-and-sustainable-cities-in-china.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }