A five-year economic development plan unveiled by China called for strengthened efforts to control pollution and a gradual shift away from coal. A National Economic and Social Development plan outlined a series of measures aimed at controlling air, water and soil pollution. “We will upgrade coal-burning power plants to achieve ultra-low emissions [and] promote clean and efficient use of coal,” the statement read. China has issued a series of so-called red alerts, the highest level of the country’s air-pollution response system, since introducing the metric in 2013. The red alert restricts vehicle, factory and construction activity. In November, air pollution in parts of the capital was at levels nearly 40 times higher than limits recommended by the World […]