Can The Olmpics Boost Air Quality?Looking At Beijing And LondonChina’s government moved mountains to register unprecedented improvements in Beijing’s notoriously poor air quality for the 2008 Olympic Games , proving that it can pursue economic growth and environmental policies simultaneously. While the Games can provide an incentive for green policies, the challenge lies in maintaining the momentum.China spent $17bn cleaning up its air to give the country a face-lift. The poor air quality in Beijing, where over 1,000 new cars are registered daily, was widely reported amid concern that endurance events would have to be postponed. Beijing ordered half of all private cars off the roads each day, parking odd numbers one day and even ones the next. It raised fuel standards to European level, closed factories and temporarily halted construction. More extreme measures included firing rockets to clear the skies. A 2009 United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ) report found that the number of ‘blue sky days’ rose from below 180 in 2000 to 274 in 2008. The government’s measures, combined with favourable weather conditions, reduced emissions of carbon monoxide by 47%, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by 38% and particulate matter (PM10) by 20%. UNEP says, however, that reducing levels of smaller particles, which impact severely on health, continues to present a challenge. Other studies note that compared to other Olympics, athletes in Beijing faced far worse particulate pollution. Grappling with London’s air qualityUK capital London, which hosts the Olympic Games in 2012 , finds itself in a much better position than Beijing. Nevertheless, it has some of Europe’s worst air pollution, most of which is caused by emissions from cars, vans and buses.In June 2010 the European Commission warned that the city must reduce the level of particulate matter ( PM10 s) or face huge fines. The move was the last in a series of rebukes dating back to January 2009, when the Commission first warned that the capital was failing to comply with EU air quality standards. Air pollution near many of London's roads averages “well over twice the WHO's maximum recommended levels”, according to the Campaign for Clean Air in London ( CCAL ). Moreover, the city - home to 7.5 million inhabitants - has the worst record for nitrogen dioxide pollutants of any European capital and one of the worst for dangerous airborne particles. Leading climate scientists like Frank Kelly of King’s College are warning that the capital may have to ban cars and even reschedule some events during the Olympics to make sure the air is clean enough. The previous Labour government plans to meet EU air quality limits did not set any separate targets for the Olympics. Nevertheless it recognised that the Games present an opportunity to develop long-term solutions for improving air quality. All Olympic sites must meet stringent requirements for reducing emissions from demolition and construction, while new buildings must comply with energy-efficiency requirements to reduce emissions. London is also aiming to improve public transport ahead of the Games. According to the CCAL, the UK is facing an historic choice: risk global ridicule for breaching air quality laws every year or receive widespread praise for showing the world how to address the issue in a sustainable manner. To read more about other air quality subjects, please follow these links:
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