Application of Environmental Gini Coefficient (EGC) in Allocating SO_2 Discharge Permit: A Case Study of SO_2 Total Mass Control in Anshan, China

摘要

The allocation of SO_2 discharge is always a challenge in total mass control due to the conflicts between environmental equality and efficiency. In this article, we introduced a way of allocating discharge by using Gini coefficient, a widely used index of income inequality in economics. The environmental Gini coefficient (EGC) method is based on a multi-criteria system, which includes land area, population, environmental capacity and gross domestic product (GDP). Through a linear programming optimization method, the regional pollutant reduction plan is optimized. The allocation of SO_2 discharge in Anshan, China was chosen as a case study to illustrate the application of this method. The result obtained shows that the application of EGC method and linear programming can make the allocation more fair and reasonable. Therefore, Anshan should adjust the structure of the industries as well as elevate the economy. At the same time, the environmental capacity of Anshan area should be improved by some measures.