Will joint regional air pollution control be more cost-effective? An empirical study of China's Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. (1st February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Dan; Xu, Yuan; Zhang, Shiqiu
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 149(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 36
• Publication Date: 2015-02-01
• Subjects: Regional air pollution -- Joint regional air pollution control -- Cost-effectiveness -- Jing–Jin–Ji region; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.09.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: By following an empirical approach, this study proves that joint regional air pollution control (JRAPC) in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region will save the expense on air pollution control compared with a locally-based pollution control strategy. The evidences below were found. (A) Local pollutant concentration in some of the cities is significantly affected by emissions from their surrounding areas. (B) There is heterogeneity in the marginal pollutant concentration reduction cost among various districts as a result of the cities' varying contribution of unit emission reduction to the pollutant concentration reduction, and their diverse unit cost of emission reduction brought about by their different industry composition. The results imply that the cost-efficiency of air pollution control will be improved in China if the conventional locally based regime of air pollution control can shift to a regionally based one. Highlights: Cost heterogeneity in air pollution control could create cost saving potential. The abatement cost should be converted to concentration alleviation cost. The marginal concentration alleviation costs vary across districts in the region. A joint regional air pollution control will be more cost-effective.