Assessing policy effects of the ecological environment quality monitoring authority reform: A case study on ambient air quality monitoring

XIONG Xue-Feng; YUAN Zhi-Ting; CHANG Dun-Hu; Dong Zhan-Feng

PDF(735 KB)

China Environmental Science ›› 2023, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (12) : 6740-6754.

Environmental Impact Assessment and Management

Assessing policy effects of the ecological environment quality monitoring authority reform: A case study on ambient air quality monitoring

XIONG Xue-Feng¹, YUAN Zhi-Ting², CHANG Dun-Hu³, Dong Zhan-Feng⁴

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Based on the panel data of 278 prefecture cities in China from 2007 to 2016, this study levages arguably exogenous variation in the Ambient Air Quality Standard Reform in 2012 and employs a multi-time point DID model to identify the impact, transmission mechanism, and heterogeneity of environmental quality monitoring authority on air pollution. We find that the reform significantly reduces SO₂ emissions and PM_2.5 concentration. The emission reduction effect is positively correlated with the density of state-controlled monitoring sites. Importantly, the result remains consistent after a series of robustness tests, including placebo tests and the exclusion of other external policy impacts. Moreover, mechanism analysis uncovers two channels, namely the stringency of local government environmental regulations and green innovation of industrial enterprises, through which the reform curbs air pollution. Strategies such as limiting the number of industrial enterprises and increasing public transportation investment have proven effective in suppressing air pollutant emissions. Lastly, heterogeneity analysis shows that the air pollution reduction effect is more significant in cities with larger initial emissions and higher fiscal decentralization levels, although such effect is smaller in cities with higher fiscal pressure.

Key words

air pollution / asymmetric information / DID / emission reduction / environmental quality monitoring

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

XIONG Xue-Feng, YUAN Zhi-Ting, CHANG Dun-Hu, Dong Zhan-Feng. Assessing policy effects of the ecological environment quality monitoring authority reform: A case study on ambient air quality monitoring[J]. China Environmental Science. 2023, 43(12): 6740-6754

References

[1] Almetwally A A, Bin-Jumah M, Allam A A. Ambient air pollution and its influence on human health and welfare: An overview[J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2020,27(20):24815-24830.
[2] 韩超,刘鑫颖,王海.规制官员激励与行为偏好——独立性缺失下环境规制失效新解[J]. 管理世界, 2016,(2):82-94. Han C, Liu X Y, Wang H. Regulation officials' incentives and behavioral preferences-a new solution to environmental regulation failure under the lack of independence[J]. Management World, 2016, (2):82-94.
[3] 刘军,罗陕缘,韦光龙.中国式行政集权的企业减排效应——基于撤县设区改革的微观分析视角[J]. 中国环境科学, 2023,43(7): 3796-3807. Liu J, Luo S Y, Wei G L. The effect of Chinese administrative centralization on enterprises' emission reduction -- based on the micro-analysis of the reform of disbanding counties and setting up districts[J]. China Environmental Science, 2023,43(7):3796-3807.
[4] 郭峰,石庆玲.官员更替、合谋震慑与空气质量的临时性改善[J]. 经济研究, 2017,52(7):155-168. Guo F, Shi Q L. Official turnover, collusive deterrence, and temporary improvement in air quality[J]. Economic Research, 2017,52(7):155-168.
[5] 柏仇勇,陈传忠,赵岑.找准定位科学布局抓住关键确保环境监测改革取得扎实成效[J]. 中国环境监测, 2017,33(5):1-6. Bai Q Y, Chen C Z, Zhao C. Find the right positioning, scientific layout and seize the key to ensure the solid results of environmental monitoring reform[J]. China Environmental Monitoring, 2017,33(5): 1-6.
[6] 王金南,秦昌波.环境质量管理新模式:启程与挑战[J]. 中国环境管理, 2016,8(1):9-14. Wang J N, Qin C B. New model of environmental quality management: Departure and challenge[J]. China Environmental Management, 2016,8(1):9-14.
[7] 柏仇勇,赵岑.中国生态环境监测40年改革发展与成效[J]. 中国环境管理, 2019,11(4):30-33. Bai Q Y, Zhao C. Reform, development and effect of ecological environment monitoring in China in the past 40years[J]. China Environmental Management, 2019,11(4):30-33.
[8] 吴季友,陈传忠,赵岑,等.国家生态环境监测“十四五”展望[J]. 中国环境管理, 2020,12(4):62-67. Wu J Y, Chen C Z, Zhao C, et al. Outlook of national ecological environment monitoring “14th Five-Year Plan”[J]. China Environmental Management, 2020,12(4):62-67.
[9] 韩超,孙晓琳,李静.环境规制垂直管理改革的减排效应:来自地级市环保系统改革的证据[J]. 经济学(季刊), 2021,21(1):335-360. Han C, Sun X L, Li J. Emission reduction effect of environmental regulation vertical management reform: Evidence from the reform of environmental protection system in prefecture-level cities[J]. China Economic Quarterly, 2021,21(1):335-360.
[10] 吴金群,游晨,田传浩.垂直监管改革与空气污染:来自县(市)改区的证据[J]. 中国人口·资源与环境, 2023,33(2):11-18. Wu J Q, You C, Tian C H. Vertical regulatory reform and air pollution: evidence from county (city) reform[J]. China Population, Resources and Environment, 2023,33(2):11-18.
[11] 王岭,刘相锋,熊艳.中央环保督察与空气污染治理——基于地级城市微观面板数据的实证分析[J]. 中国工业经济, 2019,(10): 5-22. Wang L, Liu X F, Xiong Y. Central environmental protection inspectors and air pollution control-an empirical analysis based on micro panel data of prefecture-level cities[J]. China Industrial Economy, 2019,(10):5-22.
[12] Zhang B, Chen X, Guo H. Does central supervision enhance local environmental enforcement? Quasi-experimental evidence from China[J]. Journal of Public Economics, 2018,(164):70-90.
[13] 赵阳,沈洪涛,刘乾.中国的边界污染治理——基于环保督查中心试点和微观企业排放的经验证据[J]. 经济研究, 2021,56(7): 113-126. Zhao Y, Shen H T, Liu Q. Border pollution management in China-empirical evidence based on pilot environmental inspection centers and micro-firm emissions[J]. Economic Research, 2021,56(7):113-126.
[14] Greenstone M, Hanna R. Environmental regulations, air and water pollution, and infant mortality in India[J]. The American Economic Review, 2014,(10):3038-3072.
[15] Chen Z, Kahn M E, Liu Y, et al. The consequences of spatially differentiated water pollution regulation in China[J]. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 2018,(88):468-485.
[16] 张琦,郑瑶,孔东民.地区环境治理压力、高管经历与企业环保投资——一项基于《环境空气质量标准(2012)》的准自然实验[J]. 经济研究, 2019,54(6):183-198. Zhang Q, Zheng Y, Kong D M. Regional environmental governance pressure, executive experience and corporate environmental investment--a quasi-natural experiment based on Ambient Air Quality Standards (2012)[J]. Economic Research, 2019,54(6):183-198.
[17] 顾和军,严蔚然.空气污染治理对企业全要素生产率的影响——基于《环境空气质量标准(2012)》的准自然实验[J]. 中国人口·资源与环境, 2021,31(11):59-67. Gu H J, Yan W R. Impact of air pollution control on total factor productivity of enterprises--a quasi-natural experiment based on Ambient Air Quality Standards (2012)[J]. China Population-Resources and Environment, 2021,31(11):59-67.
[18] 王馨,王营.环境信息公开的绿色创新效应研究——基于《环境空气质量标准》的准自然实验[J]. 金融研究, 2021,(10):134-152. Wang X, Wang Y. A study on the green innovation effect of environmental information disclosure--a quasi-natural experiment based on the Ambient Air Quality Standard[J]. Financial Research, 2021,(10):134-152.
[19] 潘旭文,付文林.环境信息公开与地区空气质量——基于PM_2.5监测的准自然实验分析[J]. 财经研究, 2022,48(5):110-124. Pan X W, Fu W L. Environmental information disclosure and regional air quality--an analysis of a quasi-natural experiment based on PM_2.5 monitoring[J]. Financial Research, 2022,48(5):110-124.
[20] 王贤彬,钟夏洋.中央垂直监管如何影响企业环境绩效?——基于《环境空气质量标准》的准自然实验[J]. 产业经济研究, 2022,(6): 29-42. Wang X B, Zhong X Y. How does central vertical regulation affect corporate environmental performance? --A quasi-natural experiment based on the Ambient Air Quality Standard[J]. Industrial Economics Research, 2022,(6):29-42.
[21] Zhang F, Shi Y, Fang D. Monitoring history and change trends of ambient air quality in China during the past four decades[J]. Journal of Environmental Management, 2020,(260):1-17.
[22] Tu Z G, Hu T Y, Shen R J. Evaluating public participation impact on environmental protection and ecological efficiency in China: Evidence from PITI disclosure[J]. China Economic Review, 2019,55:111−123.
[23] 陈真玲,王文举.环境税制下政府与污染企业演化博弈分析[J]. 管理评论, 2017,29(5):226-236. Chen Z L, Wang W J. Analysis of the evolutionary game between government and polluting enterprises under the environmental tax system[J]. Management Review, 2017,29(5):226-236.
[24] 赵刚,张亚宾,赵明升,等.减排措施对大气颗粒物粒径分布特征的影响——基于2022年北京冬奥会前后的观测[J]. 中国环境科学, 2023,43(6):2744-2754. Zhao G, Zhang Y B, Zhao M S, et al. Effects of emission reduction measures on the particle size distribution characteristics of atmospheric particulate matter: Based on the observations before and after the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games[J]. China Environmental Science, 2023,43(6):2744-2754.
[25] 相瑞兵,田成诗,张焰朝.环境规制与企业研发投入:挤出抑或诱发——来自二氧化硫排污费征收的经验证据[J/OL]. 中国环境科学:1-20.DOI:10.19674/j.cnki.issn1000-6923.20230814.002. Xiang R B, Tian C S, Zhang Y C. Environmental regulation and firm R&D investment: crowding out or inducing -- Empirical evidence from the collection of sulfur dioxide pollution fees[J/OL]. China Environmental Science:1-20.DOI:10.19674/j.cnki.issn1000-6923.20230814.002.
[26] 袁宝龙.制度与技术双“解锁”是否驱动了中国制造业绿色发展?[J]. 中国人口·资源与环境, 2018,28(3):117-127. Yuan B L. Does the dual “unlocking” of system and technology drive the green development of China's manufacturing industry?[J]. China Population, Resources and Environment, 2018,28(3):117-127.
[27] Porter M E, Linde C. Toward a new conception of the environment-competitiveness relationship[J]. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 1995,(4):97-118.
[28] 赵妤希,任家豪,陈义珍,等.气象要素变化对城市空气质量影响的评估方法与应用——以PM_2.5为例[J]. 中国环境科学, 2022,42(12): 5610-5616. Zhao Y X, Ren J H Chen Y Z, et al. Evaluation method and application of meteorological factors change on urban air quality: A case study of PM_2.5[J]. China Environmental Science, 2022,42(12):5610-5616.
[29] 尹晓梅,李梓铭,乔林,等.北京冬季疫情期间空气质量及气象影响分析[J]. 中国环境科学, 2021,41(5):1985-1994. Yin X M, Li Z M, Qiao L, et al. Analysis of air quality and meteorological impact during winter epidemic in Beijing[J]. China Environmental Sciences, 2021,41(5):1985-1994.
[30] 石大千,丁海,卫平.智慧城市建设能否降低环境污染[J]. 中国工业经济, 2018,(6)117-135. Shi D Q, Ding H, Wei P. Can smart city construction reduce environmental pollution[J]. China Industrial Economy, 2018,(6):117-135.
[31] 邵帅,李欣,曹建华.中国雾霾污染治理的经济政策选择——基于空间溢出效应的视角[J]. 经济研究, 2016,51(9):73-88. Shao S, Li X, Cao J H. Economic policy options for haze pollution management in China-based on the perspective of spatial spillover effects[J]. Economic Research, 2016,51(9):73-88.
[32] Beck T, Levine R, Levkov A. Big bad banks? The winners and losers from bank deregulation in the United States[J]. The Journal of Finance, 2010,65(5):1637-1667.
[33] 陈金皇.空气污染的政策效应:财政分权、环保约谈和信息披露[D]. 北京:中国人民大学, 2022. Chen J H. Policy effects of air pollution: fiscal decentralization, environmental interviews, and information disclosure[D]. Beijing: Renmin University of China, 2022.
[34] Cook C J, Shah M. Aggregate effects from public works: Evidence from India[J]. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 2022,104(4):797-806.
[35] Goodman-Bacon A. Difference-in-differences with variation in treatment timing[J]. Journal of Econometrics, 2021,225(2):254-277.
[36] Angrist J D, Pischke J. Mostly harmless econometrics: An empiricist's companion[M]. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2009.
[37] 江艇.因果推断经验研究中的中介效应与调节效应[J]. 中国工业经济, 2022,(5):100-120. Jiang T. Mediating effects and moderating effects in causal inference[J]. Chinese Industrial Economy, 2022,(5):100-120.
[38] 陈诗一,陈登科.雾霾污染、政府治理与经济高质量发展[J]. 经济研究, 2018,53(2):20-34. Chen S Y, Chen D. Haze pollution, government governance and high- quality economic development[J]. Economic Research, 2018,53(2): 20-34.