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Spatial Heterogeneity Influences of Environmental Control and Informal Regulation on Air Pollutant Emissions in China

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  • Zhenhua Zhang

    (School of Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Guoxing Zhang

    (School of Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Institute of Green Finance, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Shunfeng Song

    (College of Business, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA)

  • Bin Su

    (Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119620, Singapore)

Abstract

High air pollutant emissions in China have become serious environmental issues threatening public health. While spatial heterogeneity plays an important role in environmental regulation in China, it is necessary to analyze the spatial heterogeneity influences of air pollution control policies and informal environmental regulation on air pollutant emissions in China. Based on the quantification of air pollution control policies, this paper incorporates the central government’s policy formulation and local government’s policy implementation into the intensity of air pollution control policy. This paper uses the panel data of China’s 30 provinces to examine the spatial impact of air pollution control policy and informal environmental regulation on air pollutant emissions. The results show that (a) air pollutant emissions represented by soot and dust emission intensity has a significant positive spatial spillover effect; (b) air pollution control policy and informal environmental regulation play significant inhibitory roles in air pollutant emissions; (c) informal environmental regulation has a negative moderating effect on the negative relationship between air pollution control policy and air pollutant emissions. Other implications for environmental management have also been discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhenhua Zhang & Guoxing Zhang & Shunfeng Song & Bin Su, 2020. "Spatial Heterogeneity Influences of Environmental Control and Informal Regulation on Air Pollutant Emissions in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-22, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:13:p:4857-:d:380830
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