Odd-even Plate Scheme May Be Implemented in Beijing During Winter

Beijing’s local government is mulling on whether to implement an odd-even license plate scheme come winter. According to analysts, the move will significantly affect Beijing’s air quality.

Released in March this year, Beijing's new air pollution contingency plan stipulates that measures must be taken if severe air pollution is detected for a span of over 72 hours.

This may include the adoption of the odd-even license plate scheme, which is expected to cut an additional 30 percent in vehicular traffic along with other measures such as shutting down factories and halting all construction work.

Should it be implemented, it will be the first time for the odd-even plate scheme to be used for pollution-related purposes.

Analysts are concerned with the traffic ban's duration, however. According to them, a prolonged traffic ban may lead to complaints.

"There are many measures that can be taken, but controlling the number of vehicles on the road and tackling pollution in the countryside may prove to be difficult as they involve the general public," said Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, in an interview with the Global Times.

"The complaints would be especially grave if traffic is restricted but the smog remains," he added.

Recently, Beijing's smog levels increased despite the light traffic over the week-long National Day holiday. Environmental protection authorities in Beijing blame the burning of straws from surrounding provinces.

"The practice of straw burning has been prevalent in nearby Hebei Province for many years. Farmers used to burn straws for heat, but they currently burn straws simply because there are no better or cheaper ways to get rid of the straws after they harvest corn or wheat," Niu Fengrui, the director of Institute for Urban and Environmental Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

For Niu, developing new technology and introducing it to farmers can drastically help in China's efforts to solve its worsening pollution problems. Ma, however, sees the problem as a social one as well.

"Farmers are a socially disadvantaged group. . . . You simply can't tell them to stop burning straws without a better plan," said Ma.