Northern China Faces Heating Crisis Amid Clean Air Initiative Failures
Northern China is grappling with a heating crisis as natural gas prices soar and infrastructure fails to meet demand, particularly in Hebei province, where many households are left without heat. Investigations revealed that nearly half of the residents in a Zhuozhou village lack heating amid freezing temperatures, prompting authorities to allow coal burning as a temporary measure. The environmental ministry has reversed its previous stance, permitting coal use until gas supplies can be secured, amid rising public dissatisfaction.
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Northern China is experiencing a severe heating crisis as authorities struggle to meet targets of a four-year clean air campaign initiated in 2013. Soaring natural gas prices and inadequate infrastructure development have left thousands without heat, particularly in Hebei province, where local governments dismantled coal-fired stoves before gas pipelines were installed.
Investigations revealed that nearly half of the households in a Zhuozhou village lacked heating during freezing temperatures. The province's demand for natural gas is expected to rise 50% this winter, but stockpiles can only meet 80% of daily needs, prompting an orange alert for gas shortages.
Authorities are now allowing some coal burning to ensure heating during the crisis. The environmental ministry has also reversed its stance, permitting households to use coal until gas supply is secured, as public dissatisfaction grows.
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