Beijing to ban coal use to cut air pollution

Authorities in Beijing plan to set up a "forbidden zone" for the use of high-pollution fuels, a first-of-its-kind effort to improve air quality in the capital.

The city will ban the use of coal and related products, closing coal-fired power plants and other facilities in its six main districts and neighboring regions, by the end of 2020.

Clean energy alternatives like electricity and natural gas for heating, cooking, and other activities will be promoted instead.

Liu Wei is the deputy director of the Atmospheric Environmental Management Division of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.

"Alternating the use of coal mainly focused on urban districts. Now other districts except for Yanqing County have been able to switch to natural gas. We are also promoting the construction of electricity grids in these areas. We need support and effort from citizens, social departments, and the government, because using new energy requires some input, especially regarding price change."

Liu also stresses the need to form a consensus on clean living and strengthen the supervision of the proposed measures.

This move is a part of the capital's plan to optimize energy use and improve air quality.

Other high-pollution fuels, such as fuel oil, petroleum coke, combustible waste, and some biomass fuel will also be banned.