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Income, Policy, and Pollution

Author

Listed:
  • Hongtao Hu

    (South China Agricultural University)

  • Krishna P. Paudel

    (Louisiana State University (LSU) and LSU Agricultural Center)

  • Ying Tan

    (South China Agricultural University)

Abstract

This paper identifies the roles of an environmental protection policy and income growth in enhancing environmental quality in China. In 2005, the Central Government of China piloted a policy that linked regional environmental quality to the performance assessment of local government officials in some provinces. After the implementation of the policy, pollution levels reduced substantially. However, many researchers believe that the improvement of China’s environmental quality might have been due to an increase in per capita income, i.e., there is the presence of an “environmental Kuznets curve.” We use a nonparametric IV model and a synthetic control method to identify the role of income and policy in improving environmental quality. Results show that after controlling for the mutual effects of the two factors, income level had an inverted U-shaped relationship with sulfur dioxide and wastewater emissions. There are differences in the effects of policies on pollution reduction among different cities, and the magnitude is affected by regional economic development. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the effects of income and policy on pollution reduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongtao Hu & Krishna P. Paudel & Ying Tan, 2022. "Income, Policy, and Pollution," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 81(1), pages 131-153, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:enreec:v:81:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10640-021-00621-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10640-021-00621-6
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental pollution; Environmental protection policy; Environmental Kuznets curve;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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