Influencing Factors and Spatial Spillover Effects of Pollution in the Yangtze River Delta–Based On a New Measurement Method

Compared with a single pollutant, the comprehensive pollution index can reflect the degree of urban pollution more comprehensively. This article introduces the tax weighting method to calculate the comprehensive pollution index in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). Based on the panel data of cities in the YRD from 2005 to 2017, the Spatial Durbin Model is utilized to empirically analyze the influencing factors and spatial spillover effects of the comprehensive pollution index. The results show: (1) The pollution of the cities in the YRD is unevenly distributed, and the eastern coastal areas are facing more serious pollution emissions than the western areas. (2) Changes in the urban industrial structure show an N-shaped curve impact on local industrial pollution emissions. The spatial spillover effect of the changes in industrial structure on the pollution emissions of surrounding cities presents an inverted N-shaped curve characteristic. (3) Economic openness and GDP per capita have a positive impact on pollution emissions. Government control can reduce pollution emissions. The impact of human capital and foreign direct investment on pollution emissions shows uncertainty over time and space. (4) The research results under the tax weighting method which can be proved to be applicable are consistent with the existing conclusions.