Zhou Shengxian, Minister of Environmental Protection, announced the reduction of China’s chemical oxygen demand (“COD”) and sulphur dioxide emissions for four consecutive years.
Sulphur dioxide emissions were recorded to have dropped 10.4 percent in 2009, compared with the figures for 2008. The target plans set by the government, aimed at reducing the emissions of major pollutants by 10% starting from 2006 until 2010. This is termed the 11th Five Year Plan.
Such a fall in sulphur dioxide emissions could be attributed to the use of desulphurisation. This is a process whereby contaminated gases are cleaned using wet scrubbers. Such a system reduces the contamination level which may have adverse effects on humans, animals, and on plant life. Since 2006, China has built more than 411 million kilowatts of desulphurisation units, in an attempt to reduce the harmful effects of such emissions.
China’s success in achieving and successful adhering to the 11th Five Year Plan has highlighted the country’s determination to reduced such emissions and promote a healthy and greener environment.