Air Quality Modelling of Beijing

Abstract

Beijing’s rapid economic growth has led to the inescapable complication of worsening polluted air. Although there are policies implemented to tackle air pollution, this issue remains unhealthy for the public, giving rise to various respiratory related illnesses, sometimes even resulting in death. To help understand the factors that lead to air pollution, variables were identified and a comprehensive causal loop diagram constructed. The air pollution variables include sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and PM10 components. These pollutions primarily comes from industrial burning of coal and vehicle emissions. From the causal loop diagram, a systems dynamics simulation model was built to study the relationships between these variables and to illustrate the impacts and efficacy of the current measures put in place by Beijing’s policy makers. Using the same simulation model, the paper makes recommendations to policymakers to further reduce air pollution – switching to renewable energy sources for industries and legislation and providing incentives for vehicles to use clean energy.