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Estimating the Effects of Economic Agglomeration on Haze Pollution in Yangtze River Delta China Using an Econometric Analysis

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  • Renfeng Ma

    (Department of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, Ningbo University-University of Angers Joint Institute at Ningbo, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

  • Congcong Wang

    (Department of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, Sino-EU Faculty of Tourism, Geography and Culture, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

  • Yixia Jin

    (Institute of Human Geography and Urban-rural Planning, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

  • Xiaojing Zhou

    (Department of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

Abstract

Haze pollution, a serious livelihood and environmental issue, has hindered China’s economic development. This paper, based on the improved output density model, empirically analyzes spatial patterns and impact factors of haze pollution within the Yangtze River Delta from 2015 to 2017 by statistical and spatial econometric models. The study shows that: (1) The characteristics of haze pollution due to seasonal changes are obvious in the Yangtze River Delta region, and the situation has gradually improved. (2) The haze pollution has significant local agglomeration characteristics and spatial heterogeneity, demonstrated as significant low-level agglomerations in Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Taizhou, and high agglomerations in Chuzhou, Yangzhou, Zhenjiang, and Taizhou. The polluted area clusters around the provincial boundary, and its level gradually decreases from northwest to southeast. There is a significant spatial positive correlation and spatial spillover effect of intercity haze pollution, which will have a negative impact on the region and surrounding areas. (3) The population growth, research and development (R&D) investment, industrial structure, industrial smoke and dust emissions, and urban construction in the Yangtze River Delta have positive impacts on haze pollution, while factors, such as investment intensity of foreign direct investment (FDI), energy consumption and precipitation, have a negative impact on smog pollution. However, there is no Kuznets curve relationship between smog pollution and economic growth. By optimizing spatial distribution, incorporating production factors, and sharing pollution control infrastructure, this paper shows that economic agglomeration has an inhibitory effect on haze pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Renfeng Ma & Congcong Wang & Yixia Jin & Xiaojing Zhou, 2019. "Estimating the Effects of Economic Agglomeration on Haze Pollution in Yangtze River Delta China Using an Econometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:7:p:1893-:d:218177
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Lu Liu & Yuxin Meng & Desheng Wu & Qiying Ran & Jianhong Cao & Zilian Liu, 2023. "Impact of haze pollution and human capital on economic resilience: evidence from prefecture-level cities in China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(11), pages 13429-13449, November.
    3. Mekhala Kaluarachchi & Anuradha Waidyasekara & Raufdeen Rameezdeen & Nicholas Chileshe, 2021. "Mitigating Dust Pollution from Construction Activities: A Behavioural Control Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Zhidong Liu & Yang Cai & Xiaojing Hao, 2020. "The Agglomeration of Manufacturing Industry, Innovation and Haze Pollution in China: Theory and Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-28, March.
    5. Weijie Jiang & Kairui Cao & Laiqun Jin & Yongyi Cheng & Qunfang Xu, 2022. "How Do China’s Development Zones Affect Environmental Pollution under Government Domination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Chunli Huang & Xu Zhao & Weihu Cheng & Qingqing Ji & Qiao Duan & Yufei Han, 2022. "Statistical Inference of Dynamic Conditional Generalized Pareto Distribution with Weather and Air Quality Factors," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-25, April.
    7. Shi Wang & Hua Wang & Qian Sun, 2020. "The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Environmental Pollution in China: Corruption Matters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Dianyuan Ma & Hui Sun & Xuechao Xia & Yan Zhao, 2022. "The Impact of Government and Public Dual-Subject Environmental Concerns on Urban Haze Pollution: An Empirical Research on 279 Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-21, August.

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