Analysis of influential factors on haze pollution in China

摘要

This study tests the hypothesis of Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) between PMio concentrations and economic growth and analyzes the influential factors of PMio concentrations from the economic perspective by using the panel data on the PMio concentrations of 30 provinces from 2003 to 2015 in China. Results of the regression estimation from the fully modified OLS (FMOLS) method show that a relationship characterized by an inverted U-shaped curve is observed between PM10 concentrations and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and that an EKC exists in China's haze pollution problem. PMio concentrations have the most sensitive response to GDP. The elastic coefficients of the possession of civilian vehicles, urbanization and trade openness are positive values. More importantly, the elastic coefficient of the tertiary industry proportion is less than 0. Increase in the proportion of tertiary industry can effectively alleviate China's problem on haze pollution. Lastly, relevant countermeasures and suggestions are presented.