A Study of China’s Air Pollution Prevention and Control Policy Framework from a Policy Instrument Perspective

Environmental pollution caused by rapid economic development like that seen in China over the past twenty years poses various threats to human health. People have started to place much more of an emphasis on environmental security, working to find a balance between sustainability and economic growth. In recent years, air pollution has emerged as a highly discussed topic of social and environmental relevance in China, due in part to persistent smog that affects everyday life and causes serious harm to human health. Although air pollution is normally associated with human activity, is can be caused by natural processes such as eruptions and forest fires, but is always characterized by the release of certain substances into the atmosphere which, when present in certain concentrations or for given durations, can harm human health, daily life, productivity, and other aspects. In humans, it mainly affects the respiratory system, notably the lungs, as well as the immune system. A series of studies both in China and overseas have shown, in certain cases, even low concentrations of air pollution can pose a great threat to human health. In this study, we conducted an analysis of air quality policies, focusing on the 2018 revision of the People’s Republic of China’s Law on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution(LPCAP). We utilized the content analysis method and Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory to construct a policy framework, demarcate analysis units, code and classify policy texts, determine descriptive statistics, and analyze dimensional interactions. We used two dimensions(basic policy instruments classified as demand-, supply-, and environment-side;and air carrying capacity) to quantify and analyze the LPCAP, which enabled us to analyze the deficiencies and conflicts within policy instruments. The results show a higher utilization frequency of environment-side policy instruments, particularly regulation management and strategic measures. This reflects efforts by the government to create a favorable environment for improving air quality. Additionally, supply-side policy instruments are used far less frequently than environment-side policy instruments. Air quality legal policies and pollution control measures mainly consist of environment-side policy instruments;ecological thinking and air quality policies that are based mainly on supply-side and environment-side policy instruments;and social coordination policies that mainly use environment-side policy instruments. Based on the results of this study, we recommend an increase in the number of supply-and demand-side policy instruments, particularly the latter which includes promoting ecological thinking amongst citizens, to optimize and improve air pollution prevention and control policies.

Particulate matter trends and quantification of the spring sand-dust contribution in Hohhot,Inner Mongolia,from 2013 to 2017

On 10 September 2013,the State Council promulgated the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution(hereinafter referred to as the Action Plan).To study the variations in the air pollutant concentrations in Hohhot during the implementation of the Action Plan and the effects of various measures,the daily concentrations of air pollutants(fine particulate matter(PM_(2.5)),inhalable PM(PM 10),SO_(2),and NO_(2))in Hohhot published by the China Environmental Monitoring Station were obtained to analyze the general meteorological conditions in Inner Mongolia from 2013 to 2017.The variations and causes of the ambient PM concentration in Hohhot were examined,and the quantitative influence of sandstorms on the ambient PM concentration in Hohhot was analyzed by selecting the spring season with frequent sandstorms as an example.The results showed the following.(1)The air quality in Hohhot continuously improved,and compared with those in 2013,the PM_(2.5)and PM 10 concentrations decreased by 24.6%and 48.2%,respectively,in 2017.However,the air pollutant concentrations remained high,with the average PM_(2.5)and PM 10 concentrations exceeding the national secondary standards by 22.9%and 35.7%,respectively.(2)The reductions in the spring PM_(2.5)and PM 10 concentrations were 5.6%and 8.9%,respectively,and the annual decreases in the PM_(2.5)and PM 10 concentrations were 3.6 and 15.1μg m^(−3)yr−1,respectively,from 2013 to 2017.(3)The absolute contribution ranges of dust weather to the concentrations of PM_(2.5),PM 10,and TSP during 2013–17 were 0.6–5.2μg m^(−3),9.0–16.9μg m^(−3),and 14.7–30.0μg m^(−3),respectively,in Hohhot during the spring.

Do Free Trade Zones Improve Air Quality?

As a new window of opening up to the outside world in the new era,the establishment of Free Trade Zones(FTZs)in China is an important national strategy for promoting high-quality economic development wherein the prevention and control of pollution is an important hurdle to be surmounted throughout the process.Based on data taken from model cities for environmental protection in China from 2008 to 2017,given the effect of policy spillover,this study considers the establishment of FTZs to be a"quasinatural experiment."It uses the general analysis paradigm of spatial difference-indifference(DID)to systematically examine the impact of FTZs on air pollution as well as to conduct an in-depth analysis of their spatial heterogeneity and mechanism of action.The study shows that the establishmentofFTZs significantlyreduces the concentration of air pollutants in cities.If the spatial DID method is adopted to measure the policy spillover effect of the establishment of free trade zones,urban air pollutants declines by 12%to 17%,while the estimated result using the traditional DID method is only 7%.The establishment of FTZs significantly alleviates air pollution in neighboring non-pilot cities as well.Based on the range of the spillover effect from the center of the FTZ,it is found that the average spatial spillover effect presents as an inverted"U"curve as the research radius increases,with an optimal policy spillover effect radius of about 200km,while the policy spillover effect between pilot cities remains poor.The establishment of an FTZ not only improves the local atmospheric environment by promoting industrial structure optimization and green technology innovation in pilot cities but also generates a spillover effect on neighboring non-pilot cities through the same mechanism,thus contributing to improving the atmospheric environment in those non-pilot cities.These findings remain valid following a series of robustness tests such as the spatial parallel trend test and the placebo test.This study offers an answer to the key question of whether free trade zone policy can truly promote high-quality economic development in the new era.It provides useful policy insights for further expanding opening up,winning the battle for the prevention and control of pollution,and promoting the high-quality development of China's economy.