Environmental Win: Good Air Quality Hits a Record

The province of Shaanxi, China, experienced a record good air quality in 2021, thus proving that campaigns to protect the environment and improve the air quality in the region were successful.

“This is the first time for Shaanxi to reach the overall national air quality standards, marking solid progress in the battle against air pollution,” says Ji Wu, director of the province’s atmospheric environment office.

Located in Northwest China, Shaanxi is among the primary coal-producing areas in the country. In 2021, local authorities launched pollution prevention and treatment campaigns aimed at reducing industrial coal consumption, penalizing businesses that commit environmental offenses, and modernizing iron and steel enterprises. Consequently, in 2021, a total of 295.4 days with good quality air were logged across the province, 10.3 days more than the goal set by national authorities.