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Fiscal Decentralization and Local Environmental Pollution in China

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  • Shufen Guo

    (Cooperative Innovation Center for Transition of Resource-Based Economies, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China
    School of Business Administration, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China)

  • Ludi Wen

    (School of Business Administration, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China)

  • Yanrui Wu

    (Department of Economics, University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6907, Australia)

  • Xiaohang Yue

    (Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413, USA)

  • Guilian Fan

    (Cooperative Innovation Center for Transition of Resource-Based Economies, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China
    School of Business Administration, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China)

Abstract

Fiscal decentralization is one of the tools for the central government to engage local governments in environment management. However, its effects are inconclusive. This paper aims to examine the impact of fiscal decentralization on environmental pollution and the role of government environmental preference in China’s provinces. The results show that fiscal revenue decentralization exacerbates local environmental pollution more seriously than expenditure decentralization. This negative environmental effect of fiscal decentralization could be moderated by government environmental preference. Based on our findings, it is recommended that China’s local governments should improve environmental preference so that fiscal decentralization can create a win–win situation for the economy and environment. Furthermore, the different effects of fiscal revenue and expenditure decentralization create a necessity for differentiated management of fiscal decentralization by the central and local governments.

Suggested Citation

  • Shufen Guo & Ludi Wen & Yanrui Wu & Xiaohang Yue & Guilian Fan, 2020. "Fiscal Decentralization and Local Environmental Pollution in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8661-:d:448947
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    6. Tinghui Wang & Qi Fu & Yue Wang & Mengfan Gao & Jinhua Chen, 2022. "The Interaction Mechanism of Fiscal Pressure, Local Government Behavioral Preferences and Environmental Governance Efficiency: Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta Region of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-22, December.
    7. Junhua Chen & Na Liu, 2022. "The impact of fiscal decentralization on the efficiency in social housing provision: Evidence from China," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(8), pages 3404-3418, December.
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    12. Maxwell Chukwudi Udeagha & Marthinus Christoffel Breitenbach, 2023. "Revisiting the nexus between fiscal decentralization and CO2 emissions in South Africa: fresh policy insights," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 9(1), pages 1-46, December.
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    16. Zhang, Cuifang & Xiang, Xiandeng, 2023. "Fiscal decentralization, environmental policy stringency, and resource sustainability: Panacea or Pandora's box in high resource consuming countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
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