Convergence study of water pollution emission intensity in China: evidence from spatial effects

Abstract

One of the challenges that China currently faces is how to reduce the emissions of the water pollution. However, the study of water pollution convergence has certain policy significance for controlling the emissions of water pollution. This article firstly uses chemical oxygen demand(COD)and ammonia nitrogen(NH 3 -N)as indicators of water pollution. Due to the obvious spillover effect of water in space, this article adds spatial effect to the convergence model. Based on panel data of 30 provinces and cities from 2006 to 2017, this article uses a dynamic spatial Dubin model to analyze the convergence of water pollution emission intensity to address the endogenous problem in the model. The empirical resultsof this paper show that there is absolute  -convergence and conditional  -convergence in the intensity of water pollution emissions. The spatial autocorrelation test shows that there is a positive spatial autocorrelation of water pollution emissions, which means that the pollution emissions in neighboring areas will affect the emissions in the local area. The industrial structure has a certain promoting effect on the emission of water pollution, which means that adjusting the industrial structure and alleviating the structure of the secondary industry is the trend of future development.Economic growth can curb the emissions of water pollution. The influences of urbanization and foreign investment on the emissions of the two pollutants are inconsistent, and policies can be formulated according to local conditions in the future.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of the Impact of Socio-economic Factors on Water Pollution

“…In addition, in terms of the impact of industrial structure and technological innovation, there is a long-term relationship between water pollution, industrial agglomeration and economic growth in China, and industrial agglomeration and economic growth play an important role in aggravating water pollution (Huang and Wang, 2022) In the lagging stage, industrial structure upgrading, green technology innovation and water environment pollution are all positively correlated with the current stage (Wang et al, 2021). Industrial structure plays a certain role in promoting water pollution discharge, economic growth can restrain water pollution discharge, and urbanization and foreign investment have inconsistent impacts on the two pollutants discharge (Han et al, 2022). In order to avoid exacerbating water pollution due to economic development, the increase in trade openness and the import of water intensive products may reduce the level of water pollution (Thompson and Jeffords, 2017).…”

Confession and greenwashing: the impact of water information disclosure on firm value

“…There are currently various levels of groundwater pollution in China's seven main water systems, major lakes and some places. Up to 82% of rivers and lakes become contaminated (Han et al 2022). Being the world's largest developing country, China must continue its economy while enhancing environmental quality.…”

A Study on the Impact of Organizing Environmental Awareness and Education on the Performance of Environmental Governance in China

“…(5) The quality of the water environment is deteriorating, and water pollution accidents are frequent. According to incomplete statistics, in 2021, the country's 458 daily discharge of direct sea pollution sources was more than 100 tons, the total volume of sewage discharge was about 7.28 billion tons, and they reported the largest integrated outfall emissions, followed by industrial sources of pollution, consequently, water shortage will be more serious [9,10]. (6) With the development of society, noise pollution has become an important source of pollution that affects people's physical and mental health [11][12][13][14][15][16][17].…”