Coupling Relationship Analysis between Quality Infrastructure and Ecological Environment Quality for Policy Implications

Jing Shen, Yang Zhang, Benhai Guo and Suli Zheng
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Jing Shen: College of Economics & Management, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Yang Zhang: College of Economics & Management, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Benhai Guo: College of Economics & Management, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Suli Zheng: College of Economics & Management, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-16

Abstract: Long-term improvement of ecological environment quality (EEQ) is a hotspot and urgent topic in the context of high-quality and sustainable development. It is urgent to look for methods that could support EEQ improvement in a high-quality and sustainable way. Owing to its natural supporting and guaranteeing functions for enhancing quality, quality infrastructure (QI) is a fundamental and critical element in promoting EEQ, but a neglected one. In this paper, we analyzed the coupling structure between QI and EEQ and applied an improved coupling model to recognize contributed and weakened indicators that affected the coupling relationship. We also examined this coupling relationship in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) from 2012 to 2017, which proved the current situation where QI construction cannot satisfy the practical needs of EEQ improvement. Results showed that the important supporting role of QI in EEQ improvement should be valued for long-term sustainable development. Meanwhile, equilibrium and consistency of indicators in the QI and EEQ systems determined the coupling state. EEQ improvement countermeasures were also provided according to the coupling relationship analysis results. This study provided a scientific basis and guidance for EEQ improvement and sustainable development.

Keywords: coupling relationship; quality infrastructure; ecological environment quality; policy implications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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