By 2025, China aims to keep the nighttime environmental noise level at 85 percent of the acoustic environment function zones up to standard, said an action plan.
China will continue to tackle noise pollution and improve the country’s acoustic environment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), according to environmental authorities.
By 2025, China aims to keep the nighttime environmental noise level at 85 percent of the acoustic environment function zones up to standard, said an action plan jointly issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and 15 other departments.
With remarkable progress being made in pollution control, public expectations on the ecological environment are growing, and noise pollution is now among the hottest issues in environmental complaints, said the ministry.
In 2021, of the over 450,000 complaints received by China’s national platform for environment-related complaints from the public, 45 percent were about noise disturbance, ranking second among all types of pollution, according to the ministry.
The plan pledged to enhance control of the sources of noise, as well as noises from industrial firms, construction sites, transportation, and social activities.
China will also establish a valid system to prevent, control and manage this type of pollution, improve relevant laws, regulations and standards, strengthen science and technology education, and boost monitoring and law enforcement, it said.
Noise pollution is a major problem in China, caused by a variety of sources including transportation, construction, and industrial activities. The rapid economic development and urbanization of the country have led to an increase in noise pollution, which can have negative impacts on both human health and the environment.
According to a study by the China Environmental Science Research Institute, this type of pollution affects over 200 million people in China, with levels of noise in some urban areas exceeding national standards. The Chinese government has taken steps to address noise pollution, including the introduction of regulations and standards for noise levels as well as campaigns to raise awareness about the issue.
There are also many organizations, NGOs, and researchers that are working to address the problem in China through research, advocacy, and community engagement.
Originally published at China Daily