The Urgency of Diversifying Environmental Policies: Unlocking Solutions to Mitigate PM2.5 and Ozone Pollution
Ministry publishes documentation detailing pollution levels and potential strategies for reduction
(Written by Esme Yeh / Staff reporter)
The Ministry of Environment recently released a white paper outlining ambitious policies to bring down PM2.5 levels and achieve a 38% carbon reduction goal by 2035. This comprehensive plan, developed through public and academic input, sets a 10-year target to reach a PM2.5 level of 8 micrograms per cubic meter, according to Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming. However, as the battle against air pollution continues, a more diversified approach is essential to tackle the challenges of diminishing returns and aggravated ozone pollution.
The white paper takes a bottom-up approach and gathers 570 suggestions to guide the government in setting up this long-term plan and actionable measures based on these insights. The minister highlighted the growing importance of addressing mobile sources of pollution, such as vehicle emissions, in addition to traditional stationary polluters like factories.
Integrating Net-Zero Goals and Air Quality Improvements
To align with the net-zero goals, the plan seeks to reduce PM2.5 levels alongside the ambitious carbon reduction target. Here's how this integration is envisioned:
Deep Decarbonization
The transition to renewable energy sources and electricifying operations will help decrease greenhouse gas emissions and co-pollutants, such as PM2.5.
Pollution Controls and Technology
Scrubbers, filters, and catalytic converters can capture pollutants and reduce harmful emissions.
Carbon Removal
Carbon capture and utilization technologies can help offset remaining emissions in industries facing challenges in achieving net-zero without these solutions.
Regulatory and Collaborative Efforts
Collaboration with regulatory agencies, community engagement, and compliance with environmental regulations are key to addressing air quality issues.
Monitoring and Science-Based Approaches
Regular monitoring of air quality and adhering to evolving health standards will keep strategies effective in improving public health.
A Combined Fight Against PM2.5 and Ozone Pollution
To confront the increasing PM2.5 levels and ozone pollution, two strategies will dominate the future improvement efforts:
- PM2.5 Reduction:
- Implement measures to control emissions from industrial and vehicular sources and optimize particle capture technologies.
- Ozone Mitigation:
- Reduce emissions of precursors like NOx and VOCs, and set stringent emissions standards to control pollutants contributing to ozone pollution.
Looking Ahead
Future air quality improvement efforts will focus on bolstering people's health, improving indoor air quality, addressing emerging air pollutants, promoting green transportation, and sustainable agriculture, and developing talent and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in this field.
National Central University environmental engineering professor Chang Moo-been stressed that citizens also play a vital role in counteracting air pollution by turning off unused lights and saving electricity to help reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuel power generation.
Consistent collaboration between individuals, organizations, and the government is necessary to meet both targets of carbon reduction and air pollution control, requiring further research and development. As factory operators burn nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds to prevent them from forming ozone, this process generates carbon dioxide instead, conceded Professor Chang Gung University's Lai Hsin-chih.
By adopting a multi-faceted approach, the public and private sectors can effectively join forces to reduce PM2.5 levels, lessen ozone pollution, and enhance overall air quality for the benefit of public health and the environment.
- In line with the integration of net-zero goals and air quality improvements, the white paper emphasizes the role of science in addressing climate change and environmental issues, specifically by implementing pollution controls and technology such as scrubbers, filters, and catalytic converters to capture pollutants and reduce harmful emissions.
- As part of the combined fight against PM2.5 and ozone pollution, health-and-wellness is a crucial aspect to consider, as the reduction of emissions of precursors like NOx and VOCs not only lessens ozone pollution but also contributes to improving overall public health.
