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Exploring the impact of narrowing urban-rural income gap on carbon emission reduction and pollution control

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  • Lujing Wang
  • Ming Zhang

Abstract

Over the past four decades, China have experienced rapid economic growth but also a widening urban-rural income gap and deteriorating air quality. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2017, this paper investigates the effect of narrowing the urban-rural income gap on carbon emission reduction and pollution control by using OLS method. The empirical results indicate that: the narrowing of the urban-rural income gap has a positive impact on pollution control, while there are regional differences in the impact on carbon emission reduction. In the perspective of the whole country and central and western regions, the narrowing of the urban-rural income gap is conducive to carbon emission reduction. However, the narrowing of the urban-rural income gap increases carbon emissions in the eastern regions where economic development is at high level. This paper provides a theoretical basis and policy reference for promoting urban-rural integration and construction of ecological civilization.

Suggested Citation

  • Lujing Wang & Ming Zhang, 2021. "Exploring the impact of narrowing urban-rural income gap on carbon emission reduction and pollution control," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(11), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0259390
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259390
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Jin, Sensen & Deng, Feng, 2024. "Impact of public environmental concern on urban-rural economic income inequality," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 1131-1143.
    3. Ling Huang & AL-Barakani Abdo & Nadeem Aljonaid, 2025. "Digital Transformation and Carbon Reduction in Chinese Industrial Enterprises: Mediating Role of Green Innovation and Moderating Effects of ESG Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-25, April.
    4. Ren, Yi-Shuai & Kuang, Xianhua & Klein, Tony, 2024. "Does the urban–rural income gap matter for rural energy poverty?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).

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