Environmentalists and political analysts warn that the next probable reason for a social revolution in China is its increasing problem on pollution.

In a report released by the Institute of Environment Planning, an agency run by China's Ministry of Environmental Protection, government researchers said the country's severe pollution problem is fodder for social conflict.

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"There is a huge gap between how fast the environment is being improved and the how fast the public is demanding it to be improved, and environmental problems could easily become a tipping point that leads to social risks," the report said.

The research explained that a "smog war" can trigger public discontent and urged the government to immediately focus on responding to the growing public demand for cleaner air and better environment.

The institute also forecast that a "smog war" is likely to happen as many industrial companies are "competing" to become major "industrial output contributors", which can have adverse environmental consequences.

In its forecast, the institute cited that China will consume around 4.3-billion tonnes of standard coal for its energy consumption by the end of 2015. By 2020, it is projected that China will consume 4.5-billion tonnes of standard coal.

China has started putting in place state policies to curb its pollution problem, such as ordering industrial companies to regulate energy usage and limit air emissions. Government has also been begun shutting down some coal plants.

In March, at the National People's Congress, President Xi Jinping pledged to punish with "iron hand" those who violate the country's environmental laws.

TagsPollution, smog