Pathways for Reaching Air Quality Standard and Carbon Peak in Selected Cities in China

This book presents a methodology for developing city-scale greenhouse gas and air pollutant emission inventories, and a synergistic analysis framework for achieving ＂dual attainments＂ based on air quality objectives. The book illustrates the pathways and strategies for cities to reach ＂dual attainments＂ using Zhengzhou, Shijiazhuang, and Huzhou as typical cases. The authors emphasize that ＂dual attainments＂ requires a comprehensive approach beyond end-of-pipe control measure；moreover, deep structural adjustments in energy, industry, and transportation sectors are essential. In particular, the green transformation of energy and the elimination of outdated production capacity can have a significant synergistic emission reduction effect and should be prioritized in decision-making. The methodological framework, analysis cases, and policy recommendations provided in this book are intended to enhance readers’ understanding of ＂dual attainments＂ theory, equip them with effective methods, and enable the application of these strategies. Such an approach not only supports the advancement of sustainable development but also promotes harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

Yu Bo holds a B.S. and M.S. from Harbin Institute of Technology, a Ph.D. from Peking University, and has served as Postdoctoral Fellow at Tsinghua University. She is currently Senior Engineer at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as Deputy Secretary General of the Professional Committee on Pollution Source Emission and Control at the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences. In addition, she is Executive Committee Member of the China Clean Air Policy Partnership (CCAPP), and Deputy Secretary General of the City Air Integrated Management and Low Carbon Action Partnership (CAMCAP). Her primary research focuses on analyzing compound air pollution sources, technology and policy research of air pollution and greenhouse gas synergistic control, and promoting the transformation of emission inventory technology and pollution control measures effect evaluation technology from scientific research to the operational practice of environmental management.

The author’s team is led by Academician Kebin He, a professor at the School of Environment and the director of the Institute for Carbon Neutrality at Tsinghua University. The team’s research is dedicated to studying atmospheric composite pollution, with a particular focus on PM2.5. The team has conducted extensive research on identifying atmospheric particulate matter and compound pollution, complex source emission characteristics, multi-pollutant synergistic control, and synergistic control of atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gases. The team has outstanding advantages in researching and practicing atmospheric compound pollution control, carbon peaks and neutralization, and was the first to establish a PM2.5 long-term observation and sampling platform in China. The team has participated in the air quality protection of many important events in China, including the Beijing Olympic Games, Guangzhou Asian Games, 2014 APEC Conference, 2015 Grand Parade, Hangzhou G20 Summit, Xiamen BRICS Summit, and Beijing Winter Olympics. The team has been involved in the treatment of Beijing air pollution for more than 20 years and has provided the global urban community with Chinese experience in air pollution management. The team has significantly contributed to the fine traceability and quantitative assessment technologies for air quality management in China. Furthermore, the team’s scientific research has served the government in promoting a series of air pollution management policies.