From grey skies, compulsory face masks, and delayed flights, this was how the environmental image of China was portrayed in front of the world for many years. On one hand, China works effortlessly and does a never-ending struggle to build its industries and match the UN’s goal of growth (SDG-9), but on the other hand, this fast growth hurts the environment badly. It makes the situation puzzling that by pushing the country towards better living standards, people are getting sick and different health issues are arising. In the early 2000s, Beijing was known for its “grey haze” (a layer of smoke that covers its sky).
A question arises: how do we help everyone grow without destroying our god-gifted green planet? Then the story started to turn around when the skies cleared up and Beijing was known as the “Canvas of Blue.” This was not a small or temporary change. It was a complete transformation: China’s green evolution. This intense change was not by chance. It was sparked by the need for pure air to breathe.
According to research on PM2.5, only 25 out of 190 cities could meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards of China. By that time this problem was impossible to ignore. This was a challenging situation for the Chinese government. How can they have a strong economy without sacrificing the nation’s environment?
China realized that fixing the problem of air pollution needs a powerful and strong framework of solutions. For this the government gave a plan that everyone had to follow. One of the main official orders was “Air Pollution Action Plan-2013.” These new rules made the foundation of the measures that will be taken to reduce pollution and maintain good air quality. By 2006-2012 the goal of reducing SO₂ by 10% was achieved, which was validation that government policies are working effectively to bring green evolution.
Besides the government measures, diverse technologies were used to tackle this issue and improve the air quality. By the efficient use of these technologies, China decreased the pollution, but it was not a permanent solution. In my opinion it was a defining moment through which the world can achieve its to-do list and keep the earth clean and green.
The mission of “Green Future” started from the appropriate use of renewable energy resources. China initiated clean technology and generated energy from windmills and solar panels. This was not just about producing energy, but it also created a huge market, and the Chinese company became the largest producer of solar panels and wind turbines in the world. China made outstanding innovations in environmental-related technology, which led to global green technology growth.
In the long run, China made a strategic shift, introducing the “Green Technology” to overcome pollution. The aim of this shift was to make innovations that are sustainable and leave a long-lasting impact on the environment. I see it as a major donation by China to the well-being of all over the world. But China made green innovations that were reachable to every part of the world and helped developing countries to fight against pollution. China lowered the global prices of solar panels by 50%, making green energy accessible worldwide.
The world is noticing China’s green change with mixed opinions. From one perspective China is making green energy and making it cheaper for the developing countries to use it, but on the other side China is investing in coal projects. As I see it, every move of China is impacting the shared future of the world and is deciding what will be the next measure to make the world sustainable and clean. They work hard to clean their air and are now transferring the same technologies to other countries (mostly developing) so that each country has a clear sky and, altogether, a bright shared future.
In my opinion, China’s journey from “Pollution to Solution” was remarkable. It represents one of the most important environmental evolutions witnessed by the world. The point that makes this story more inspiring is that real and measurable progress motivates other nations to fight against their environmental pollution. It shows that if you want to make your nation healthier and clean, you just have to make the right policies and the right decisions and then follow them firmly. I am convinced that China’s green evolution impacts the world, but it is not just their responsibility; it is the world’s responsibility because we all are sharing the planet, and we have to make our shared future clean and green.
Participant of ICSF-UoS Fellowship Program 2025-26 at University of Sargodha.
