The Impact of Environmental Regulation on Farmland Non-Point Source Pollution: Evidence from the Dongting Lake Plain, China

Gaohui Wen, Liwen Yang, Xinyao Zhang, Yi Zhou, Hao Zhou and Xianhui Hu ()
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Gaohui Wen: School of Geographical Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Liwen Yang: School of Geographical Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Xinyao Zhang: School of Geographical Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Yi Zhou: School of Geographical Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Hao Zhou: School of Geographical Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Xianhui Hu: School of Geographical Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: Non-point source pollution from agricultural land use is a significant contributor to environmental pollution, causing serious threats to water, air, and soil quality. Environmental regulations have been shown to have a significant negative effect on pollutant emissions. However, empirical studies examining the impact of agricultural environmental regulations on cultivated land non-point source pollution are limited. To explore the effects of environmental regulations on cultivated land non-point source pollution, this study focuses on the Dongting Lake Plain. Using statistical data from 2010 to 2020, we analyze the temporal and spatial changes in cultivated land non-point source pollution before and after the implementation of the “Zero Growth of Fertilizer and Pesticide Use Action Plan”. A spatial econometric model is used to assess the impact of environmental regulations on pollution. The results indicate that non-point source pollution in the Dongting Lake Plain shows positive global spatial autocorrelation. Locally, in 2010 and 2015, high-high clusters were dominant, while low-low clusters were less common. By 2020, low-low clusters became the main pattern of pollution. The introduction of the Zero Growth Action Plan had a negative impact on pollution intensity within the region and positive spillover effects on neighboring areas. In terms of emission structure, the plan significantly reduced nitrogen emission intensity and pesticide loss, but had a positive impact on phosphorus emissions. The level of regional economic development had a significant negative effect on pollution intensity, while urbanization had a positive effect. Agricultural technological progress showed a negative spatial spillover effect on phosphorus emissions, and regional economic development had a negative spatial spillover effect on nitrogen and pesticide emissions. This study provides evidence of the impact of environmental regulations on cultivated land non-point source pollution and offers valuable insights for the development of future pollution control policies.

Keywords: farmland utilization; non-point source pollution; environmental regulation; spatial econometric model; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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