Analysis of China's PM_2.5 and ozone coordinated control strategy based on the observation data from 2015 to 2020

The coordinated control of PM_2.5 and ozone has become the strategic goal of national air pollution control. Considering the gradual decline in PM_2.5 concentration and the aggravation of ozone pollution, a better understanding of the coordinated control of PM_2.5 and ozone is urgently needed. Here, we collected and sorted air pollutant data for 337 cities from 2015 to 2020 to explore the characteristics of PM_2.5 and ozone pollution based on China's five major air pollution regions. The results show that it is necessary to continue to strengthen the emission reduction in PM_2.5 and ozone precursors, and control NO_x and VOCs while promoting a dramatic emission reduction in PM_2.5. The primary method of curbing ozone pollution is to strengthen the emission control of VOCs, with a long-term strategy of achieving substantial emission reductions in NO_x, because VOCs and NO_x are also precursors to PM_2.5; hence, their reductions also contribute to the reduction in PM_2.5. Therefore, the implementation of a multipollutant emission reduction control strategy aimed at the prevention and control of PM_2.5 and ozone pollution is the only means to realize the coordinated control of PM_2.5 and ozone.