Round Table China How Beijing won back its sky
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Feb 3, 2026 Beijing's shift from smog-choked skies to reliably cleaner air is explored through policy milestones and data. The 2013 action plan, coal-to-electric heating conversions, and mass vehicle retirements are highlighted. Regional coordination with Hebei and Tianjin and the rise of new energy vehicles get attention. Technology, real-time monitoring and future WHO-aligned targets close the conversation.
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Beijing's Measured Air Quality Breakthrough
- Beijing's PM2.5 fell to 27 µg/m³ in 2025, marking the city's best air quality since monitoring began.
- The WHO ideal is 5 µg/m³, so Beijing has improved but still aims for lower interim targets like 15–25 µg/m³.
Electric Vehicles Drove Rapid Improvement
- New energy vehicles exceeded 1.3 million in Beijing by 2025 and green power made up 36% of electricity.
- NEV adoption and charger expansion are key drivers behind more than 80% good-air days.
Replace Coal Heating With Cleaner Energy
- Do replace household coal heating with electricity or cleaner fuels to cut winter pollution.
- Beijing demonstrated this by upgrading power grids and household stoves door-to-door.