Emissions of air pollutants from non-road construction machinery in Beijing from 2015 to 2019

Abstract

Construction machinery (CM) is considered to be a significant source of air pollution. The estimation of emissions from CM is essential for policy-makers to control air pollution and reduce carbon emissions. In this study, air pollutant emissions from CM with four emissions standards (Beijing I-IV) in Beijing from 2015 to 2019 were estimated by combining data from the Non-road Mobile Source Emissions Inventory Compiled Technical Guidelines, Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) and actual measurements. Taking an example for 2019, emissions of hydrocarbons (HCs), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were estimated to be 4.80 Gg, 16.51 Gg, 27.77 Gg, 1.35 Gg and 5.09 Tg, respectively, representing annual mean decreases of 13.2%, 13.1%, 10.8%, 15.2% and 3.5%, respectively, over the five-year period. Tongzhou, Shunyi and Changping Districts contributed 53–67% of total CM emissions in 2019. Among the ten types of CM considered, loaders were the largest contributors to total emissions, accounting for 41–54% of total CM emissions in Beijing from 2015 to 2019. Machinery with a mean power above 75 kW accounted for the largest share (67–78%) of total CM emissions in Beijing from 2015 to 2019. Our results contribute to the limited data of estimated CM emissions and can help develop control strategies to improve air quality and alleviate climate change.