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What Factors Drive Air Pollutants in China? An Analysis from the Perspective of Regional Difference Using a Combined Method of Production Decomposition Analysis and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index

Author

Listed:
  • Shichun Xu

    (Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Yongmei Miao

    (Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Yiwen Li

    (Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Yifeng Zhou

    (Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Xiaoxue Ma

    (Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Zhengxia He

    (Business School, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Bin Zhao

    (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA)

  • Shuxiao Wang

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

Abstract

Air pollution in China attracts the world’s attention, so it is important to study its driving factors for air pollutants. The combined Production Decomposition Analysis and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (PDA–LMDI) model is applied to construct a regional contribution index in this study to explore the regional differences in factors affecting sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen oxides (NO x ), and particulate matter with diameter not greater than 2.5 µm (PM 2.5 ) from 2005 to 2015 in China. The regional emission coefficient had a great inhibitory effect, which reduced SO 2 , NO x , and PM 2.5 by 25,364.9, 10,449.3, and 11,295.3 kilotons (kt) from 2005 to 2015, respectively. For this inhibitory effect, the degree to emission reduction was great for North and East China, followed by South and Central China, and small for Southwest. Northwest. and Northeast China. The regional technical efficiency, technology improvement, capital-energy substitution and labor-energy substitution effects each reduced SO 2 , NO x , and PM 2.5 by about 3500, 3100, and 1500 kt from 2005 to 2015, respectively. For the regional technical efficiency and technology improvement effects, the degree to emission reduction was great in East and Central China, and small in South Northwest and Northeast China. For the regional capital- and labor-energy substitution effects, the degree of emission reduction was great for North East and Central China, and small for Northwest and South China. The regional output proportion effect increased SO 2 , NO x , and PM 2.5 by 1211.2, 320.1, and 277.8 kt from 2005 to 2015, respectively. The national economic growth had a relatively great promoting effect and increased SO 2 , NO x , and PM 2.5 by 26,445.5, 23,827.5, and 11,925.5 kt from 2005 to 2015, respectively. Each region should formulate relevant policies and measures for emission reduction according to local conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Shichun Xu & Yongmei Miao & Yiwen Li & Yifeng Zhou & Xiaoxue Ma & Zhengxia He & Bin Zhao & Shuxiao Wang, 2019. "What Factors Drive Air Pollutants in China? An Analysis from the Perspective of Regional Difference Using a Combined Method of Production Decomposition Analysis and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:17:p:4650-:d:261165
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    1. Xiaoyu Yang & Jianqiang Dong & Xiaopeng Guo, 2023. "Spatial Dependence of SO 2 Emissions and Energy Consumption Structure in Northern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, January.

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