IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v13y2024i5p677-d1393874.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Has the Establishment of National Key Ecological Function Zones Improved Eco-Environmental Quality?—Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment in 130 Counties in Sichuan Province, China

Author

Listed:
  • Yuanjie Deng

    (School of Economics, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
    Research Center of Agricultural Economy, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China)

  • Lu Ming

    (School of Economics, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China)

  • Yifeng Hai

    (School of Economics, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China)

  • Hang Chen

    (School of Economics, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China)

  • Dingdi Jize

    (School of Economics, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
    Research Center of Agricultural Economy, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China)

  • Ji Luo

    (School of Economics, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
    Research Center of Agricultural Economy, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China)

  • Xiaohan Yan

    (College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

  • Xiaolong Zhang

    (The West Center for Economic Research, Southwest University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Shunbo Yao

    (College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

  • Mengyang Hou

    (School of Economics, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China
    Research Center of Resources Utilization and Environmental Conservation, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China)

Abstract

China’s National Key Ecological Function Zones (NKEFZs) currently represent the largest and most extensive ecological conservation policy in China, with one of the core objectives of this policy being to improve eco-environmental quality (EEQ). This study regards the establishment of NKEFZs as a quasi-natural experiment. Based on panel data from 130 counties in Sichuan Province from 2001 to 2021, a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model was employed to evaluate the impact of NKEFZ establishment on EEQ. The findings indicate the following: ① The establishment of NKEFZs can significantly enhance the EEQ of the covered areas, albeit as a gradual long-term process. This conclusion not only meets the parallel-trends assumption but also holds true in a series of robustness tests such as placebo tests. ② Mechanism analysis reveals that NKEFZs can enhance EEQ through the effects of optimizing land spatial allocation and upgrading industrial structure. ③ Heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the beneficial effect of NKEFZs on EEQ varies across different functional zone types, geographic spaces and ethnic regions. Our study not only contributes to the accumulation of empirical evidence and institutional refinement in the sustainable implementation of ecological policies in China but also offers valuable insights and references for other countries in formulating policies for eco-environmental protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuanjie Deng & Lu Ming & Yifeng Hai & Hang Chen & Dingdi Jize & Ji Luo & Xiaohan Yan & Xiaolong Zhang & Shunbo Yao & Mengyang Hou, 2024. "Has the Establishment of National Key Ecological Function Zones Improved Eco-Environmental Quality?—Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment in 130 Counties in Sichuan Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:5:p:677-:d:1393874
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/5/677/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/5/677/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marianne Bertrand & Esther Duflo & Sendhil Mullainathan, 2004. "How Much Should We Trust Differences-In-Differences Estimates?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 119(1), pages 249-275.
    2. Heyes, Anthony & Saberian, Soodeh, 2022. "Hot Days, the ability to Work and climate resilience: Evidence from a representative sample of 42,152 Indian households," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    3. Tongyue Zhang & Mengyang Hou & Liqi Chu & Lili Wang, 2022. "Can the Establishment of National Key Ecological Function Areas Enhance Vegetation Carbon Sink? A Quasi-Natural Experiment Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Callaway, Brantly & Sant’Anna, Pedro H.C., 2021. "Difference-in-Differences with multiple time periods," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 225(2), pages 200-230.
    5. Li, Pei & Lu, Yi & Wang, Jin, 2016. "Does flattening government improve economic performance? Evidence from China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 18-37.
    6. Jingtong Li & Qing Hai, 2023. "Evaluation of Economic Security and Environmental Protection Benefits from the Perspective of Sustainable Development and Technological Ecological Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-13, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kong, Dongmin & Liu, Chenhao & Ye, Wenxu, 2023. "Randomized inspection and firm's government subsidies: A natural experiment in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    2. Niu, Geng & Jin, XiaoShu & Wang, Qi & Zhou, Yang, 2022. "Broadband infrastructure and digital financial inclusion in rural China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    3. Anderson, D. Mark & Liang, Yang & Sabia, Joseph J., 2022. "Mandatory Seatbelt Laws and Traffic Fatalities: A Reassessment," IZA Discussion Papers 15843, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Luis Alvarez & Bruno Ferman, 2020. "Inference in Difference-in-Differences with Few Treated Units and Spatial Correlation," Papers 2006.16997, arXiv.org, revised Apr 2023.
    5. Jack (Peiyao) Ma & Andrea Mantovani & Carlo Reggiani & Annette Broocks & Néstor Duch-Brown, 2024. "The Price Effects of Prohibiting Price Parity Clauses: Evidence from International Hotel Groups," Economics Series Working Papers 1043, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.
    6. Juan Segundo Zapiola, 2023. "Drought Shocks and School Attendance in Tanzania," Young Researchers Working Papers 12, Universidad de San Andres, Departamento de Economia, revised Aug 2023.
    7. Blesse, Sebastian & Diegmann, André, 2022. "The place-based effects of police stations on crime: Evidence from station closures," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    8. Maclean, J. Catherine & Pichler, Stefan & Ziebarth, Nicolas R., 2020. "Mandated Sick Pay: Coverage, Utilization, and Welfare Effects," IZA Discussion Papers 13132, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    9. Rahi Abouk & Keshar M. Ghimire & Johanna Catherine Maclean & David Powell, 2023. "Pain Management and Work Capacity: Evidence From Workers’ Compensation and Marijuana Legalization," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(3), pages 737-770, June.
    10. Sun, Chuanwang & Zhan, Yanhong & Du, Gang, 2020. "Can value-added tax incentives of new energy industry increase firm's profitability? Evidence from financial data of China's listed companies," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    11. Jingyi Tian & Jun Nagayasu, 2023. "Financial Systemic Risk behind Artificial Intelligence:Evidence from China," TUPD Discussion Papers 44, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Tohoku University.
    12. Carpenter, Christopher S. & Churchill, Brandyn F. & Marcus, Michelle, 2023. "Bad lighting: Effects of youth indoor tanning prohibitions," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    13. Ren, Xiaohang & Zeng, Gudian & Dong, Kangyin & Wang, Kun, 2023. "How does high-speed rail affect tourism development? The case of the Sichuan-Chongqing Economic Circle," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    14. Steinwender, Claudia & Alfaro, Laura & Chen, Maggie & Bao, Cathy & Hong, Junjie, 2022. "Omnia Juncta in Uno: Foreign Powers and Trademark Protection in Shanghai's Concession Era," CEPR Discussion Papers 16987, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    15. Ashesh Rambachan & Jonathan Roth, 2020. "Design-Based Uncertainty for Quasi-Experiments," Papers 2008.00602, arXiv.org, revised Feb 2024.
    16. Li, Lei & Luo, Changtuo, 2023. "Does administrative decentralization promote outward foreign direct investment and productivity? Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    17. David Escamilla-Guerrero & Edward Kosack & Zachary Ward, 2023. "The Impact of Violence during the Mexican Revolution on Migration to the United States," NBER Working Papers 31531, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    18. Damian Clarke & Kathya Tapia-Schythe, 2021. "Implementing the panel event study," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 21(4), pages 853-884, December.
    19. Mengna Luan & Wenjing Shi & Zhigang Tao & Hongjie Yuan, 2023. "When patients have better insurance coverage in China: Provider incentives, costs, and quality of care," Economics of Transition and Institutional Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 1073-1106, October.
    20. Araujo, Daniel & Barreto, Yuri & Castro, Danny & Tigre, Robson, 2024. "Illegal markets and contemporary slavery: Evidence from the mahogany trade in the Amazon," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:5:p:677-:d:1393874. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.