Decomposition Analysis of Factors that Drive the Changes of Major Air Pollutant Emissions in China at a Multi-Regional Level

Jun Yang, Yongmei Miao, Yunfan Li, Yiwen Li, Xiaoxue Ma, Shichun Xu and Shuxiao Wang
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Jun Yang: Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Yongmei Miao: Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Yunfan Li: Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Yiwen Li: Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Xiaoxue Ma: Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Shichun Xu: Management School, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Shuxiao Wang: State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 24, 1-22

Abstract: The regional emission reduction determines the national emission reduction for one country, and the differences in regional economic characteristics may result in regional differences in air pollutant emissions (APEs). In this regard, this study constructs a regional contribution index of different factors through an extended LMDI (Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index) method and investigates regional differences in factors driving the changes of China’s major APEs (SO 2 , NO x , and PM 2.5 ). It reveals that the regional emission efficiency effect was a key inhibitory factor on APEs, which was more obvious in the eastern and northern regions. The regional energy intensity had greater inhibitory effects on SO 2 and NO x than on PM 2.5 , and these inhibitory effects were more obvious in the eastern region. The regional population structure promoted APEs for northern, southern, northeastern, and eastern regions, and inhibited APEs for central, southwestern, and northwestern regions. The regional relative income had a slight effect, which curbed APEs for northern, eastern, southern, and northern regions. The national economic growth effect was the key factor in promoting APEs, which was obvious in eastern and northern regions, followed by southern, central, and southwestern regions. Policy implications are put forward based on empirical results.

Keywords: major air pollutant emissions; regional differences; extended LMDI method; decomposition analysis; driving factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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