Rapid, large-scale industrial and domestic development has resulted in the world’s deadliest outdoor air pollution in China.
But after decades of doing little to tackle pollution, China has finally cracked down on the problem. In a significant push against heavy air pollution in the country, thousands of factories have been shut down.
The months-long campaign resulted in safety inspectors temporarily shutting down approximately 40 percent of China’s factories. Officials from more than 80,000 factories were charged with criminal offenses that resulted in $130 million dollars worth of fines and jail terms.
Widespread factory shutdown was in line with China’s strict new emission standards
China has been working toward cleaner air for many years. In 2013, China announced bold measures to improve the country’s air, including reducing emissions from heavily polluting industries by 30 percent by the end of 2017. The approaching deadline led to drastic measures like widespread factory shutdowns.
Officials will verify if the factories are following the emission guidelines. If the factories can’t make the changes necessary to meet the standards, electricity and gas lines to factories will be suspended.