In this study, we combined Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei regional emission inventories and Community MultiScale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling to evaluate the air quality improvement effect in the region under the measures proposed in the local air pollution action plans for the period from 2012-2017.

Significant improvements of air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Heibei region can be achieved in 2017 if the local action plans are fully implemented, but there are risks that they might fail to achieve the PM2.5 target (Beijing: 60μg/m3, Tianjin and Hebei: 25% decline) from the Action Plan. More measures should be proposed in order to reach the Action Plan targets, to reduce emission of SO2, NOX, PM2.5, NH3, and VOC to 40%, 40%, 35%, 20%, and 30%, respectively.