China's Coal Ban Has Improved Air Quality but Villagers Face Higher Heating Costs

China banned residential coal heating in much of Hebei to cut winter pollution, and Beijing officials report large improvements in air quality; at the same time, many rural residents say subsidies were cut this winter and they face higher heating bills and rationed heat.

China banned residential coal heating in much of Hebei in 2017 as part of a national effort to reduce winter air pollution. Beijing officials point to substantial improvements, reporting only one day of heavy pollution in 2025, a 98 percent drop from 2013. This winter, many local governments sharply reduced or eliminated subsidies for the natural gas used to replace coal. As a result, residents in some villages report higher heating bills and are limiting their use of home heating. Reported details: - The central government prohibited residential coal burning in much of Hebei beginning in 2017 to improve air quality in nearby Beijing. - Beijing officials reported only one day of heavy pollution in 2025, a 98 percent reduction compared with 2013. - This winter, subsidies for household natural gas were sharply reduced or removed in some areas, and residents reported higher bills and constrained supply. - Several villagers described heating costs that take a large share of modest incomes; one resident said he spends about 1,000 yuan a winter while his pension is about 800 yuan. Summary: The policy has coincided with marked improvements in measured air quality in Beijing while many rural households in Hebei report higher heating expenses after subsidy cuts. Officials present the air gains as evidence of success, and local accounts describe rationing of heat and hardship for some residents. Undetermined at this time.