新标准实施会带来哪些收益？｜《环境空气质量标准》与配套技术规范修订系列解读③

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Ecology and Environment is seeking public opinion on the draft revision of the "Ambient Air Quality Standards" (GB 3095—2012), which aims to further improve air quality and public health in China [1] Group 1: Health Benefits of New Standards - The implementation of the new standards is expected to lead to significant health benefits, with PM2.5 concentration reductions potentially saving approximately 1% of GDP in medical expenses from 2013 to 2017, and around 0.6% of GDP from 2018 to 2020 [2] - A reduction in PM2.5 annual average concentration from 35 µg/m³ to 25 µg/m³ could decrease the all-cause mortality risk related to air pollution by about one-third, providing substantial public health benefits [2] - The health benefits of the new standards are closely linked to the aging population in China, which necessitates the revision of air quality standards and collaborative governance of various air pollutants to alleviate disease burden [2] Group 2: Improvement of Public Welfare - The revision of the air quality standards is crucial for enhancing public welfare during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, contributing to the construction of a beautiful China and promoting high-quality economic and social development [3] - Continuous improvement in air quality is expected to extend the average life expectancy of citizens, reduce medical expenses, and enhance public satisfaction with the environment [3] Group 3: Synergistic Effects on Pollution Reduction and Carbon Emission - Achieving the goal of reducing the national average PM2.5 concentration to below 25 µg/m³ by 2035 requires a 20% to 30% reduction in major pollutant emissions, including a 21% to 28% reduction in primary PM2.5, SO2, NOx, and VOCs [4] - Systematic emission reductions and collaborative governance across energy, industry, and transportation sectors are essential for successful implementation of air quality improvement strategies [4] - Specific measures include optimizing energy structure, enhancing heating and energy use systems, upgrading industrial structures, and promoting cleaner transportation [4] Group 4: Economic Returns on Investment - The benefits of implementing the new standards are estimated to be about ten times the investment in pollution control, with a cost-benefit ratio of approximately 1:10 [5] - Measures such as promoting eco-friendly solvents and improving vehicle fuel efficiency, while initially costly, are expected to foster green and low-carbon industrial transformation [5] - The pollution reduction measures are projected to achieve annual CO2 reductions of approximately 600 million to 800 million tons, with cumulative reductions exceeding 7 billion tons from 2026 to 2035 [5]