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Fiscal Expenditures on Science and Technology and Environmental Pollution: Evidence from China

Author

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  • Wanfang Xiong

    (Department of Finance, School of Economics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Yan Han

    (School of Humanities and Social Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China)

  • M. James C. Crabbe

    (Wolfson College, Oxford University, Oxford OX2 6UD, UK
    School of Life Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
    Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Science & Technology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton LU1 3JU, UK)

  • Xiao-Guang Yue

    (Department of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus
    CIICESI, ESTG, Politécnico do Porto, 4610-156 Felgueiras, Portugal
    Department of Business Sciences, University Giustino Fortunato, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

Abstract

Studying the driving factors of environmental pollution is of great importance for China. Previous literature mainly focused on the cause of national aggregate emission changes. However, research about the effect of fiscal expenditures on science and technology (FESTs) on environmental pollution is rare. Considering the large gap among cities in China, it is necessary to investigate whether and how FESTs affect environmental pollution among cities. We adopted three kinds of typical environmental pollutants including sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) emissions, wastewater emission, and atmospheric particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM 2.5 ). Using the data of 260 prefecture-level cities over ten years in China, we found that FESTs play a significantly positive role in reducing sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) emissions and PM 2.5 concentrations, but fail to alleviate wastewater emissions. Specifically, for every 1% increase in FESTs, SO 2 emissions were reduced by 5.317% and PM 2.5 concentrations were reduced by 5.329%. Furthermore, we found that FESTs reduced environmental pollution by impeding fixed asset investments and by promoting research and development activities (R&D). Moreover, the impacts of FESTs on environmental pollution varied across regions and sub-periods. Our results are robust to a series of additional checks, including alternative econometric specifications, generalized method of moments (GMM) analysis and overcoming potential endogeneity with an instrumental variable. Our findings confirm that government efforts can be effective on pollution control in China. Hence, all governments should pay more attention to FESTs for sustainable development and environmental quality improvements.

Suggested Citation

  • Wanfang Xiong & Yan Han & M. James C. Crabbe & Xiao-Guang Yue, 2020. "Fiscal Expenditures on Science and Technology and Environmental Pollution: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-20, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:8761-:d:450974
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