The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) Hypothesis in China: A Review

Abstract

China is the largest total pollution emitter country on the globe and a vast literature has investigated the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in China. Thus, we aim to review empirical studies on the testing of the EKC hypothesis using different pollution proxies and area samples in China. The EKC hypothesis can be validated by establishing an inverted U-shaped or an N-shaped relationship between pollution and economic growth. In this review of the Chinese literature, the validity of the EKC hypothesis is found more often than its absence. In comparison, a higher proportion of the studies validated the EKC hypothesis using global pollution proxies compared with local pollution proxies. Moreover, a greater percentage of the studies substantiated the EKC hypothesis using Chinese provincial and city-level data compared with aggregate national data. To validate these findings, we applied logistic regression, and the chance of the validity of the EKC hypothesis was found to be 5.08 times higher than the absence of the EKC if a study used a global pollution proxy. Moreover, the chance of the existence of the EKC hypothesis was found to be 4.46 times higher than the nonexistence of the EKC if a study used Chinese provincial, city, sectoral, or industrial data.

Does financial inclusion and information communication technology affect environmental degradation in oil-producing countries?

“…The recent empirical studies conducted by [ 24 , 32 ] demonstrate that increased financial inclusion leads to improved environmental outcomes, thereby the positive impact of financial inclusion supporting on environmental deterioration. But, the study of [ 33 ] shows only in developed countries, consistent with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) theory.…”

Adaptability of Water Resources Development and Utilization to Economic-Social System in Hunan Province, China

“…With the development of the economy and society, domestic water consumption in Hunan Province has been on a continuous upward trajectory since 1991. Industrial water consumption demonstrates an "inverted U-shaped" phenomenon, characterized by an initial upward trend, reaching a peak, and subsequently declining, in line with the changing trend of Water Kuznets curve [38] . Agricultural water consumption has shown a consistent downward trend since 1991.…”

A bibliometric review analysis into environmental kuznets curve phenomenon: A retrospect and future direction

“… 5 [ 92 ] Environmental and Sustainability Indicators 38 The study's findings verified mixed evidences of EKC. 6 [ 9 ] Sustainability 117 The results show that the existence of EKC has been confirmed by 92 out of 112 studies. However, 17 studies did not reach this conclusion.…”

“…For instance, COP21 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reached the goal of lowering the world's average temperature by 1.5–2° Celsius through limiting pollutant emissions. However, increases in China's CO 2 emissions over the past few years have made meeting the country's Kyoto Protocol obligations more challenging [ 9 ].…”