Spatial Linkage Analysis Of The Impact Of Regional Economic Activities On PM_2.5 Pollution In China

Fog and haze represent the most hazardous type of weather affecting the life and health of residents in China since 2009;as a result,many policymakers and economists have focused on this issue.This study analyses the factors of fog and haze in 152 cities in China from the perspective of the economic effect.This study has three main contributions.First,various macroeconomic variables-including economic,social and technological dimensions-are included.The main factors of fog and haze pollution are investigated from the viewpoint of economic activities;this could offer new evidence for developing policy to tackle fog and haze pollution.Second,a new spatial economic weight matrix is constructed in combination with a spatial autoregressive model to analyse the spatial impact of regional economic activities in China on PM2.5 pollution.Specifically,influencing factors are further decomposed to identify the spatial diffusion effects in different regions.This analysis not only confirms the importance of enhancing cooperation between regions to solve the regional pollution problems but also delineates the direction for change in high energy-consuming industries in high pollution areas.Third,the relationship between PM2.5 and socioeconomic development is investigated to support the EKC hypothesis.The main findings were as follows:(1)In addition to economic growth,the estimation results suggest that urbanization,population density,vehicle population,energy intensity and the price of refined oil are essential driving factors affecting PM2.5 concentrations.Higher urbanization rate,higher population density and the trend of an aging population are important factors hampering governance concerning fog and haze pollution.Thus,it is necessary for government to control these factors effectively.(2)The relationship between economic development and PM2.5 pollution in China fits the EKC hypothesis,as it presents an inverted U-shape.Moreover,it was also found that the spatial spillover effect of PM2.5 affected by interregional economic linkages results in the contaminated areas.To this end,we divide Chinese cities into four categories based on the EKC hypothesis and their PM2.5 concentrations.We used different measures for different areas according to the local conditions and specific factors.The results and implications are presented below.Class ?:polluted areas with low income.Compared with other categories;low energy utilisation and pollution-intensive industries are the main factors leading to fog and haze pollution on this area.As a result.how to improve the energy utilisation and reduce the pollution-intensive industries are the key to reducing the PM2.5 concentrations;that is,these governments should invest n green industries in local and other different cities,as well as transferring the high energy-consuming industry to western regions of China.Based on the results,Class ? areas are good chooses to be invested.Class ?:polluted areas with high income.In addition to urbanization,energy utilisation and population density,vehicle population is the most significant factor affecting the PM2.5 concentration on these areas.Moreover,the PM2.5 concentrations in the areas are highly sensitive to the price of refined oil.As a result,controlling the number of vehicles and the price of refined oil can efficaciously decrease pollution in these areas.In addition,the positive spatial spillover effects of fog and haze caused by the regional economic activities demonstrated in this study.Based on this,it is necessary to enhance cooperation between regions to solve regional pollution problem.Class ?:unpolluted areas with low income;Class ?:unpolluted area with high income.These are unpolluted areas,so their governments' first concern is preventing pollution.In addition,economic development cannot be ignored.Thus,industries can be transferred into these cities,especially cities belonging to Class ? areas,which urgently need their economies to be developed.To prevent pollution,the authorities in these areas need to implement a strict managerial system to avoid excessive damage to the environment.