How does participation in coal-to-gas policy and availability of natural gas pipelines affect residents' well-being?

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of industrialization and urbanization, China is facing an increasingly serious challenge of air pollution. The dramatic deterioration of air quality not only compromises the quality of daily life, but also poses a serious threat to public health. In order to deal with the urgent environmental problems, the Chinese government actively seeks treatment methods, among which the coal-to-gas policy, with its advantages of clean and low-carbon, has become a key part of the environmental governance strategy. However, in the initial implementation of the coal-to-gas policy, problems such as shortage of gas sources and pipeline access hindered the promotion of the policy. To provide an in-depth analysis of the actual impact of the coal-to-gas policy on residents' well-being, a comprehensive analysis was conducted based on data from the China General Social Survey. The study found that the implementation of the coal-to-gas policy not only significantly improved residents' subjective well-being and made the environment more livable, but also significantly improved residents' physical health and reduced health problems caused by air pollution. This positive effect is particularly pronounced among young people, women and residents of northern regions, who have benefited more from the clean-air benefits of the coal-to-gas policy. In addition, the study found that the availability of natural gas pipelines has a non-linear effect on residents' well-being. Moderate pipeline coverage can significantly improve the quality of life of residents and provide more convenient and reliable clean energy. Therefore, under the premise of ensuring stable supply, it is necessary to seek the optimal pipeline layout scheme. Finally, the coal-to-gas policy has boosted regional economic vitality and residents' well-being by promoting industrial restructuring and reducing pollution emissions.