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Analysis of the Environmental Effects of the Clean Heating Policy in Northern China

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  • Siyu Chen

    (Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Hong Chi

    (Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

Abstract

This article estimates the impact of the “Clean Heating Plan in Northern China (2017–2021)” on air quality improvement. It is a significant policy to promote the clean heating rate in Northern China, while there is limited research into its effects. We used a difference-in-difference model to qualify the effects of this policy on the “2 + 26” cities. For this, we controlled factors such as economy, energy use, afforestation level, and weather. We found that: (1) the clean heating plan makes the “2 + 26” cities’ AQI index, PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , and O 3 significantly decrease; (2) the concentrations of SO 2 and CO increase. After adjusting the treatment group and control group, the results are still robust. We believe that the rise of SO 2 is due to the shortage of natural gas supply in the 2017–2018 heating season in China, which led to the blockage of clean heating. Therefore, in promoting clean heating in Northern China, it is necessary to strengthen the estimation of heating demand, fully consider the energy structures of different regions, and implement the “reform by gas”.

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  • Siyu Chen & Hong Chi, 2021. "Analysis of the Environmental Effects of the Clean Heating Policy in Northern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6695-:d:574052
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    1. Muzeyyen Anil Senyel Kurkcuoglu & Beyda Nur Zengin, 2021. "Spatio-Temporal Modelling of the Change of Residential-Induced PM10 Pollution through Substitution of Coal with Natural Gas in Domestic Heating," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Xiaoyang Hou & Shuai Zhong & Jian’an Zhao, 2022. "A Critical Review on Decarbonizing Heating in China: Pathway Exploration for Technology with Multi-Sector Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Laijun Zhao & Yu Wang & Honghao Zhang & Ying Qian & Pingle Yang & Lixin Zhou, 2023. "Diverse spillover effects of COVID-19 control measures on air quality improvement: evidence from typical Chinese cities," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(7), pages 7075-7099, July.

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