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The application of environmental Gini coefficient (EGC) in allocating wastewater discharge permit: The case study of watershed total mass control in Tianjin, China

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  • Sun, Tao
  • Zhang, Hongwei
  • Wang, Yuan
  • Meng, Xiangming
  • Wang, Chenwan

Abstract

The allocation of wastewater discharge permit is always a challenge in total mass control due to the conflicts between environmental equality and efficiency. In this article, we introduce a framework to allocate discharge permit by using Gini coefficient, a widely used index of income inequality in economics. The environmental Gini coefficient (EGC) method is based on a multi-criteria system, including land area, population, gross domestic product (GDP), and environmental capacity. The allocation of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the watershed at Tianjin, China is chosen as a case study to illustrate the application of this framework. The results show that the EGC method can provide a profound insight for environmental management with a focus on balance of environmental equality and efficiency for the policy-makers, especially in developing countries.

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  • Sun, Tao & Zhang, Hongwei & Wang, Yuan & Meng, Xiangming & Wang, Chenwan, 2010. "The application of environmental Gini coefficient (EGC) in allocating wastewater discharge permit: The case study of watershed total mass control in Tianjin, China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(9), pages 601-608.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:54:y:2010:i:9:p:601-608
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2009.10.017
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    Cited by:

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    3. Yuan, Qiang & McIntyre, Neil & Wu, Yipeng & Liu, Yichao & Liu, Yi, 2017. "Towards greater socio-economic equality in allocation of wastewater discharge permits in China based on the weighted Gini coefficient," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 196-205.

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