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Improvement of Eco-Efficiency in China: A Comparison of Mandatory and Hybrid Environmental Policy Instruments

Author

Listed:
  • Zifeng Liang

    (Political Science and Public Administration School, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China)

  • Manli Zhang

    (Political Science and Public Administration School, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China)

  • Qingduo Mao

    (Political Science and Public Administration School, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China)

  • Bingxin Yu

    (Political Science and Public Administration School, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China)

  • Ben Ma

    (Political Science and Public Administration School, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China
    Center for Crisis Management Research, School of Public Policy & Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

Abstract

China’s environmental problems have long been criticized. The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the government have increasingly paid attention to developing environmental protection and included the construction of an ecological civilization in the “Five-in-One” development strategy. The improvement of regional eco-efficiency is an important way to realize the coordinated development of the entire society, and environmental policy instruments are a powerful means to enhance regional eco-efficiency. This paper categorizes environmental policy instruments into mandatory, hybrid, and voluntary types. Based on panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2005 to 2015, the paper discusses the impact of environmental policy instruments on regional eco-efficiency and the means of the impact. The research shows that (1) mandatory and hybrid environmental policy instruments play a significant role in promoting regional eco-efficiency, while the role of voluntary instruments is not significant in promoting regional eco-efficiency; (2) hybrid and mandatory environmental policy instruments have negative interactions; and (3) the level of economic development will positively affect the role of hybrid environmental policy instruments in promoting regional eco-efficiency but negatively affect the role of mandatory instruments in promoting regional efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Zifeng Liang & Manli Zhang & Qingduo Mao & Bingxin Yu & Ben Ma, 2018. "Improvement of Eco-Efficiency in China: A Comparison of Mandatory and Hybrid Environmental Policy Instruments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:7:p:1473-:d:157593
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    4. Xianning Wang & Zhengang Ma & Jiusheng Chen & Jingrong Dong, 2023. "Can Regional Eco-Efficiency Forecast the Changes in Local Public Health: Evidence Based on Statistical Learning in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-19, January.
    5. Liang Chen & Huan Huang & Dong Yao & Haonan Yang & Shuangshuang Xu & Shiyu Liu, 2023. "Construction of Urban Environmental Performance Evaluation System Based on Multivariate System Theory and Comparative Analysis: A Case Study of Chengdu-Chongqing Twin Cities, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-19, March.
    6. Bai, Dongbei & Hu, Jin & Irfan, Muhammad & Hu, Mingjun, 2023. "Unleashing the impact of ecological civilization pilot policies on green technology innovation: Evidence from a novel SC-DID model," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    7. Fan Wang & Lili Feng & Jin Li & Lin Wang, 2020. "Environmental Regulation, Tenure Length of Officials, and Green Innovation of Enterprises," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-16, March.
    8. Pan, Dan & Chen, Huan & Zhang, Ning & Kong, Fanbin, 2023. "Do livestock environmental regulations reduce water pollution in China?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 204(PA).
    9. Zheng, Shiming & Yao, Rongrong & Zou, Ke, 2022. "Provincial environmental inequality in China: Measurement, influence, and policy instrument choice," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    10. Zifeng Liang, 2021. "Assessment of the Construction of a Climate Resilient City: An Empirical Study Based on the Difference in Differences Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.

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