Cleaner production vs end-of-pipe treatment: Evidence from industrial SO2 emissions abatement in China. (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yizhong, Wang; Ye, Hang; Qunwei, Wang; Dequn, Zhou; Bin, Su
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 277(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Industrial sector -- Pollution control -- Sub-stage division -- Impact pathway -- Two-stage decomposition; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Understanding the roles and regional differences associated with cleaner production ( CP ) and end-of-pipe treatment ( ET ) can provide valuable information for the reduction of pollutant emissions. Considering the differences of these impact pathways, this paper proposes a two-stage decomposition method for investigating the contributions of CP and ET to the reduction of pollutant emissions. This two-stage method enhances the accuracy and obtainable detail of the decomposition results. Then, empirical research was conducted by decomposing the changes of China's industrial sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) emissions during 2005–2015. At the national level, CP and ET both decreased Chinese SO2 emissions, and CP has become the dominant approach for SO2 emission reduction in 2010–2015. Moreover, coal pollution intensity and treatment strength are key factors that need to be improved in CP and ET, respectively. At the provincial level, CP exerts a stronger impact on SO2 emission differences among different regions, while ET exerts less impact on SO2 emission differences among different regions. Based on the decomposition results, this paper presents targeted policy implications. Highlights: We proposed a two-stage method to enhance the accuracy and richness of results. The SO2 emission changes are decomposed into 7 factors from 2005 to 2015 in China. Cleaner production became dominant approach of SO2 emission abatement in 2010–2015. Coal pollution intensity and treatment strength are the key factors to be improved. The difference in contributions of cleaner production among regions has widened.