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Spatial Analysis of Citizens’ Environmental Complaints in China: Implications in Environmental Monitoring and Governance

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  • Xuepeng Ji

    (School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Daoqin Tong

    (School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

  • Lisha Cheng

    (College of Geography and Environment, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China)

  • Xiaowei Chuai

    (School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Xiyan Mao

    (School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Binglin Liu

    (School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Xianjin Huang

    (School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China)

Abstract

Citizen environmental complaints play a key role in China’s current environmental monitoring network and environmental governance system. Based on 5796 cases of environmental complaints lodged by citizens via hotline and the internet to the MEP of China, we examined the spatial characteristics and influencing factors of citizen complaints for the period of 2013–2017 using spatial analysis methods and spatial econometric models. The roles of citizen complaints in the two systems were then reevaluated. The results show that, among all cases, 75.88% of cases were identified as verified complaints, while nearly a 25% noisy rate directed large amounts of inspection resources to be utilized in response to nonverified cases. Air pollution received the most attention by citizens in China, accounting for 67.22% of total cases. The hotspots of citizen complaints were mostly distributed in the three major national urban agglomerations in China. We found that industrial wastewater and SO 2 were positively associated with the likelihood of citizens filing complaints, while the effect of industrial soot/dust emission was insignificant. Citizen complaints might be triggered by certain, but not all, forms of pollutants, even though highly visible particulate pollutants did not necessarily induce corresponding complaints. Moreover, the negative relationship between citizen complaints and per capita GDP revealed the unbalanced geographical pattern between economical development and environmental quality. The proliferation of the internet greatly facilitated citizens lodging complaints through various ways. The synergy mechanism between citizen environmental complaints and other parts in China’s environmental monitoring and governance system should be established in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuepeng Ji & Daoqin Tong & Lisha Cheng & Xiaowei Chuai & Xiyan Mao & Binglin Liu & Xianjin Huang, 2021. "Spatial Analysis of Citizens’ Environmental Complaints in China: Implications in Environmental Monitoring and Governance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9674-:d:635186
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jingjing Zeng & Meng Yuan & Richard Feiock, 2019. "What Drives People to Complain about Environmental Issues? An Analysis Based on Panel Data Crossing Provinces of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, February.
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    3. Haixiao Huang & Gay Y. Miller, 2006. "Citizen Complaints, Regulatory Violations, and Their Implications for Swine Operations in Illinois," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 28(1), pages 89-110.
    4. Haixiao Huang & Gay Y. Miller, 2006. "Citizen Complaints, Regulatory Violations, and Their Implications for Swine Operations in Illinois," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 28(1), pages 89-110.
    5. Weersink, Alfons & Raymond, Mark, 2007. "Environmental regulations impact on agricultural spills and citizen complaints," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(3), pages 654-660, January.
    6. Arthur Getis & J. Keith Ord, 2010. "The Analysis of Spatial Association by Use of Distance Statistics," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Luc Anselin & Sergio J. Rey (ed.), Perspectives on Spatial Data Analysis, chapter 0, pages 127-145, Springer.
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    2. Mao, Yihuan & Lin, Yan, 2024. "Do more hands make work easier? Public supervision and corporate green innovation," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 1064-1083.

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