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Preventing Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution in China: The Effect of Environmental Regulation with Digitization

Author

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  • Weikun Zhang

    (School of Social and Public Administration, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
    School of Management, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Peng Gao

    (School of Management, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Zhe Chen

    (School of Economics & Finance, Zhanjiang University of Science and Technology, Zhanjiang 524088, China)

  • Hailan Qiu

    (School of Economics and Management, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330044, China)

Abstract

Environmental regulation (ER) is essential to preventing agricultural non-point source pollution (ANSP). Prior research has focused on the effect of ER on agricultural pollution (AP), but little is known about the impact of ER following digitization on preventing AP, particularly ANSP. Based on the spatial heterogeneity, the effect of ER was examined using a geographic detector tool with provincial panel data from 2010 to 2020 in rural China. The results show that ER is a driver in preventing ANSP, primarily because of the constraint on farmers’ behavior. Digitization positively affects the prevention of ANSP, as the new impetus for the infrastructure, technology, and capital is supported. The interaction between ER and digitalization forms a driving effect on the prevention of ANSP, indicating that digitalization constitutes the path dependence of farmers’ rule acquisition and perception and addresses the “free riding” dilemma of farmers’ participation, thereby enabling the incentive of ER to make agricultural production green and efficient. These findings indicate that the endogenous factor of digitization allowing ER is essential to preventing ANSP.

Suggested Citation

  • Weikun Zhang & Peng Gao & Zhe Chen & Hailan Qiu, 2023. "Preventing Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution in China: The Effect of Environmental Regulation with Digitization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4396-:d:1084497
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