Does the Belt and Road Initiative reduce smog pollution in key provinces along the route?

IF 3.3 3区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Frontiers in Environmental Science Pub Date : 2024-08-23 DOI:10.3389/fenvs.2024.1452791

Jingao Jiang, Maoguo Wu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on reducing smog pollution in key provinces along the route. Utilizing data from 284 prefecture-level cities in China from 2007 to 2018, this study adopted a propensity score matching-difference-in-differences approach, and conducted a series of robustness checks. The results indicate that the BRI has overall reduced particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) levels in key provinces along the route, and robustness checks find consistent results. Dynamic effect tests reveal a significant reduction in the annual average PM2.5 levels in key provinces along the route after the BRI was implemented in 2014. Tests on underlying mechanism find that the BRI mainly reduced PM2.5 levels in key provinces along the route by promoting technological innovation and optimizing industrial structure. Furthermore, heterogeneity tests find that the BRI significantly reduced PM2.5 levels only in cities of key provinces along the Silk Road Economic Belt, with variations in significance due to regional differences, city administrative levels, and marketization. In addition, the BRI has enhanced green total factor productivity in key provinces along the route by reducing PM2.5 levels. This study enriches research on the economic consequences of the BRI in terms of environmental protection, and also provides empirical support for the construction of the green “Belt and Road.”

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一带一路 "倡议能否减少沿线主要省份的雾霾污染？

本研究探讨了 "一带一路 "倡议（BRI）对减少沿线重点省份雾霾污染的影响。本研究利用 2007 年至 2018 年中国 284 个地级市的数据，采用倾向得分匹配-差分法，并进行了一系列稳健性检验。结果表明，金砖四国总体上降低了沿线主要省份空气动力直径小于2.5微米的颗粒物（PM2.5）水平，稳健性检验结果一致。动态效应检验显示，2014 年 BRI 实施后，沿线主要省份的 PM2.5 年平均水平显著下降。内在机制检验发现，金砖倡议主要通过促进技术创新和优化产业结构来降低沿线重点省份的 PM2.5 水平。此外，异质性检验发现，金砖倡议仅显著降低了丝绸之路经济带沿线重点省份城市的 PM2.5 水平，其显著性因地区差异、城市行政级别和市场化程度而存在差异。此外，"丝绸之路经济带 "还通过降低 PM2.5 水平提高了沿线重点省份的绿色全要素生产率。本研究丰富了金砖倡议在环境保护方面的经济影响研究，也为绿色 "一带一路 "建设提供了实证支持。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Frontiers in Environmental Science Environmental Science-General Environmental Science

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

8.70%

发文量

2276

审稿时长

12 weeks

期刊介绍： Our natural world is experiencing a state of rapid change unprecedented in the presence of humans. The changes affect virtually all physical, chemical and biological systems on Earth. The interaction of these systems leads to tipping points, feedbacks and amplification of effects. In virtually all cases, the causes of environmental change can be traced to human activity through either direct interventions as a consequence of pollution, or through global warming from greenhouse case emissions. Well-formulated and internationally-relevant policies to mitigate the change, or adapt to the consequences, that will ensure our ability to thrive in the coming decades are badly needed. Without proper understanding of the processes involved, and deep understanding of the likely impacts of bad decisions or inaction, the security of food, water and energy is a risk. Left unchecked shortages of these basic commodities will lead to migration, global geopolitical tension and conflict. This represents the major challenge of our time. We are the first generation to appreciate the problem and we will be judged in future by our ability to determine and take the action necessary. Appropriate knowledge of the condition of our natural world, appreciation of the changes occurring, and predictions of how the future will develop are requisite to the definition and implementation of solutions. Frontiers in Environmental Science publishes research at the cutting edge of knowledge of our natural world and its various intersections with society. It bridges between the identification and measurement of change, comprehension of the processes responsible, and the measures needed to reduce their impact. Its aim is to assist the formulation of policies, by offering sound scientific evidence on environmental science, that will lead to a more inhabitable and sustainable world for the generations to come.