Spatiotemporal Features and Socioeconomic Drivers of PM 2.5 Concentrations in China

Deshan Li, Yanfen Zhao, Rongwei Wu and Jiefang Dong
Additional contact information
Deshan Li: College of Economics, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China
Yanfen Zhao: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Rongwei Wu: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Jiefang Dong: Department of culture and tourism, Yuncheng University, Yuncheng 044000, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) has been an important environmental issue because it can seriously harm human health and can adversely affect the economy. It poses a problem worldwide and especially in China. Based on data of PM 2.5 concentration and night light data, both collected from satellite remote sensing during 1998–2013 in China, we identify the socio-economic determinants of PM 2.5 pollution by taking into account the spatial flow and diffusion of regional pollutants. Our results show PM 2.5 pollution displays the remarkable feature of spatial agglomeration. High concentrations of PM 2.5 are mainly found in Eastern China (including Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces) and the Jing-Jin-Ji Area region in the north of China (including Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei provinces) as well as in the Henan provinces in central China. There is a significant positive spatial spillover effect of PM 2.5 pollution, so that an increase in PM 2.5 concentration in one region contributes to an increase in neighboring regions. Whether using per capita GDP or nighttime lighting indicators, there is a significant N-shaped curve that relates PM 2.5 concentration and economic growth. Population density, industrial structure, and energy consumption have distinct impacts on PM 2.5 pollution, while urbanization is negative correlated with PM 2.5 emissions. As a result, policies to strengthen regional joint prevention and control, implement cleaner manufacturing techniques, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels should be considered by policy makers for mitigating PM 2.5 pollution.

Keywords: PM2.5; economic growth; satellite remote sensing (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:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/4/1201/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/4/1201/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:4:p:1201-:d:208715

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().