Analysis of the Environmental Effects of the Clean Heating Policy in Northern China

Siyu Chen and Hong Chi
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Siyu Chen: Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Hong Chi: Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: This article estimates the impact of the “Clean Heating Plan in Northern China (2017–2021)” on air quality improvement. It is a significant policy to promote the clean heating rate in Northern China, while there is limited research into its effects. We used a difference-in-difference model to qualify the effects of this policy on the “2 + 26” cities. For this, we controlled factors such as economy, energy use, afforestation level, and weather. We found that: (1) the clean heating plan makes the “2 + 26” cities’ AQI index, PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , and O 3 significantly decrease; (2) the concentrations of SO 2 and CO increase. After adjusting the treatment group and control group, the results are still robust. We believe that the rise of SO 2 is due to the shortage of natural gas supply in the 2017–2018 heating season in China, which led to the blockage of clean heating. Therefore, in promoting clean heating in Northern China, it is necessary to strengthen the estimation of heating demand, fully consider the energy structures of different regions, and implement the “reform by gas”.

Keywords: clean heating; “coal-to-gas” policy; air pollution in China; difference-in-differences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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