The Beijing city government announced the plans on Monday, outlining an 8 million ton goal reduction from 2012 levels by 2015 with a further goal of a 13Mt reduction by 2017.

Beijing’s levels of PM 2.5, the fine particulates that pose the greatest health risk, hit a record level of 993 micrograms per cubic meter in January.

Following this staggering figure, the city implemented a number of pollution control measures and pushed through the new coal consumption goals.

The restrictions on coal consumption are part of a package that pledges to reduce PM 2.5 density by 25% or more from 2012 levels by 2017.

If successful, the plan could improve air quality significantly, with PM 2.5 density controlled to around 60 micrograms/cu.m by 2013.

It is a 93.96% reduction from January levels.

As well as reducing coal consumption the government is restricting the number of cars on the road, limiting the number of outdoor barbeques in suburban areas and putting tighter emissions restrictions on a wide range of industries.

According to the action plan, 1200 polluting companies will be ordered to upgrade or close parts or all of their facilities by 2016.

Any projects starting in 2013 will be required to meet new sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, dust and volatile organic compound emission levels.

In regions or industries that fail to meet air pollution reduction targets, no new projects that emit major air pollutants will be given regulatory approval as of 2013.