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Decoupling Analysis between Economic Growth and Air Pollution in Key Regions of Air Pollution Control in China

Author

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  • Jing Li

    (Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Lipeng Hou

    (Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Lin Wang

    (Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China)

  • Lina Tang

    (Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China)

Abstract

The Chinese government has implemented a number of environmental policies to promote the continuous improvement of air quality while considering economic development. Scientific assessment of the impact of environmental policies on the relationship between air pollution and economic growth can provide a scientific basis for promoting the coordinated development of these two factors. This paper uses the Tapio decoupling theory to analyze the relationship between regional economic growth and air pollution in key regions of air pollution control in China—namely, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and surrounding areas (BTHS), the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), and the Pearl River Delta (PRD)—based on data of GDP and the concentrations of SO 2 , PM 10 , and NO 2 for 31 provinces in China from 2000 to 2019. The results show that the SO 2 , PM 10 , and NO 2 pollution in the key regions show strong and weak decoupling. The findings additionally indicate that government policies have played a significant role in improving the decoupling between air pollution and economic development. The decoupling between economic growth and SO 2 and PM 10 pollution in the BTHS, YRD, and PRD is better than that in other regions, while the decoupling between economic growth and NO 2 pollution has not improved significantly in these regions. To improve the relationship between economic growth and air pollution, we suggest that the governments of China and other developing countries should further optimize and adjust the structure of industry, energy, and transportation; apply more stringent targets and measures in areas of serious air pollution; and strengthen mobile vehicle pollution control.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Li & Lipeng Hou & Lin Wang & Lina Tang, 2021. "Decoupling Analysis between Economic Growth and Air Pollution in Key Regions of Air Pollution Control in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6600-:d:572081
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sinan He & Yanwen Jia & Qiuli Lv & Longyu Shi & Lijie Gao, 2025. "Spatiotemporal Characteristic and Driving Factors of Synergy on Carbon Dioxide Emission and Pollutants Reductions in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-28, April.
    2. Qianjin Wu & Zusheng Wu & Shanshan Li & Zichao Chen, 2023. "The Impact of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games on Air Quality in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Zhenhua Zhang & Jingxue Zhang & Yanchao Feng, 2021. "Assessment of the Carbon Emission Reduction Effect of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Kai Zhang & Shunjie Wang & Shuyu Liu & Kunlun Liu & Jiayu Yan & Xuejia Li, 2022. "Water Environment Quality Evaluation and Pollutant Source Analysis in Tuojiang River Basin, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Shuxin Mao & Hongbing Deng, 2022. "Regional Ecology Supporting Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-5, June.

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