Can pollution charges reform promote industrial SO2 emissions reduction?—Evidence from 189 China's cities. Issue 1 (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Da; Li, Yi; Yang, Qiuyue
• Other Names: Seo Byeongseon guest-editor.; Kwon Jung-Hwan guest-editor.; Park Jeryang guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Energy & environment. Volume 32:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 96
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Pollution charges -- environmental pollution -- difference-in-differences -- propensity score matching; Power resources -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Ressources énergétiques; Politique énergétique; Energy policy -- Environmental aspects; Power resources; Power resources -- Environmental aspects; Renewable energy sources; Periodicals; 333.7
• DOI: 10.1177/0958305X20919410
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-305X

Abstract

This paper evaluates the real effects of pollution charges reform onSO 2 emissions at the city level. Using the establishment of Comprehensive Work Plan for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction (The Plan) in China as a quasi-natural experiment, our difference-in-differences estimation shows that: (1) increasing pollution charges has a significant and positive effect on controlling industrial wasteSO 2, and this relationship is robust to different specifications and alternative measures; (2)SO 2 emissions can be reduced to achieve reduction targets by forcing companies to strengthen the degree of process production controls and end-of-pipe treatment; (3) eastern and western cities have a better pollution control effect than the other regions, and large cities have better emission reduction effects than smaller cities. Overall, this paper sorts out the evolution of China's pollution charge policy, and reveals the mechanisms behind the real effects of pollution charges reform onSO 2 emissions, thus providing timely implications for policymakers concerned with environmental protection.