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Fiscal decentralization and Pollution: Institutions Matter

Author

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  • Mohammad Reza Farzanegan

    (University of Marburg)

  • Tim Mennel

    (Center for European Economic Research (ZEW))

Abstract

We estimate the impact of fiscal decentralization on different indicators of pollution for more than 80 countries from 1970 to 2000. Our cross country estimates show that fiscal decentralization increases pollution. However, higher quality of institutions can limit the destructive environmental effects of decentralization. The empirical results confirm a strand of the literature on decentralization that predicts a “race to the bottom” under federalism. The mitigating effect of good governance can be explained by relative preferences of local and central governments for environmental quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad Reza Farzanegan & Tim Mennel, 2012. "Fiscal decentralization and Pollution: Institutions Matter," MAGKS Papers on Economics 201222, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    • Handle: RePEc:mar:magkse:201222
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    Cited by:

    1. Wu, Haitao & Hao, Yu & Ren, Siyu, 2020. "How do environmental regulation and environmental decentralization affect green total factor energy efficiency: Evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    2. Shufen Guo & Ludi Wen & Yanrui Wu & Xiaohang Yue & Guilian Fan, 2020. "Fiscal Decentralization and Local Environmental Pollution in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Yu Qi & Jinliang Yu, 2023. "Decentralization and local pollution activities: New quasi evidence from China," Economics of Transition and Institutional Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 115-159, January.
    4. Hou, Deshuai & Chan, Kam C. & Dong, Manru & Yao, Qiuge, 2022. "The impact of economic policy uncertainty on a firm’s green behavior: Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    5. Junwei Ma & Jianhua Wang & Philip Szmedra, 2020. "Does Environmental Innovation Improve Environmental Productivity?—An Empirical Study Based on the Spatial Panel Data Model of Chinese Urban Agglomerations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-18, August.
    6. Meng Lingyan & Ze Zhao & Haider Ali Malik & Asif Razzaq & Hui An & Marria Hassan, 2022. "Asymmetric impact of fiscal decentralization and environmental innovation on carbon emissions: Evidence from highly decentralized countries," Energy & Environment, , vol. 33(4), pages 752-782, June.
    7. Sun, Yunpeng & Gao, Pengpeng & Razzaq, Asif, 2023. "How does fiscal decentralization lead to renewable energy transition and a sustainable environment? Evidence from highly decentralized economies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1064-1074.
    8. Jing Tang & Shilong Li, 2022. "How Do Environmental Regulation and Environmental Decentralization Affect Regional Green Innovation? Empirical Research from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-16, June.
    9. Farzanegan, Mohammad Reza & Markwardt, Gunther, 2018. "Development and pollution in the Middle East and North Africa: Democracy matters," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 40(2), pages 350-374.
    10. Erhong Wang & Qun Cao & Yongqiang Ding & Huaping Sun, 2022. "Fiscal Decentralization, Government Environmental Preference and Industrial Green Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-20, October.
    11. Chen, Gao & Xu, Jian & Qi, Yu, 2022. "Environmental (de)centralization and local environmental governance: Evidence from a natural experiment in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    decentralization; pollution; environmental quality; institutions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H72 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Budget and Expenditures
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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