Quantifying multiple effects of industrial patterns on air quality: Evidence from 284 prefecture-level cities in China

Abstract

• We propose framework of multiple effects of industrial pattern on air pollution. • Industrial core effect exerts a spatial spillover effect on air pollution. • Increasing industry scale and diversity intensify air pollution by structure effect. • Longevity enterprises are conducive to mitigating air pollution by technique effect. • State-owned enterprises have no significant technology effect on air pollution. Industrial activity is widely regarded as one of the important sources of air pollution. However, existing studies still debate the complex effects of industrial patterns on air pollution. This study proposes a multidimensional framework to explore the multiple effects of industrial enterprises on the air quality index in China. We examine the industrial core-edge, structure, and technology effects on air pollution by using spatial Durbin models based on geospatial databases. Results show that industrial core agglomeration exerts a spatial spillover effect on air pollution, especially continuous pollution. The increasing industrial scale and diversity intensify air pollution, reflecting the structure effect. Enterprises with long business lifespans are conducive to mitigating air pollution through the technical alleviation effect. The high ratio of state-owned enterprises exacerbates air pollution in northern China. The industrial spatial spillover effect contributed remarkably to air pollution, calling for cross-regional and intergovernmental collaboration on air quality improvement.