Can environmental information disclosure reduce air pollution? Evidence from China

Previous studies have focused on the reduction effect of regulation-based instruments and economic-based instruments on air pollution, ignoring the importance of environmental information disclosure. Based on the Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS), a quasi-natural policy implemented in 2012, this...

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Main Authors: Lei Xiong, Hongyu Long, Xiang Zhang, Chenyang Yu, Zezhou Wen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Environmental Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1126565/full
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author Lei Xiong
Hongyu Long
Xiang Zhang
Chenyang Yu
Zezhou Wen
author_facet Lei Xiong
Hongyu Long
Xiang Zhang
Chenyang Yu
Zezhou Wen
author_sort Lei Xiong
collection DOAJ
description Previous studies have focused on the reduction effect of regulation-based instruments and economic-based instruments on air pollution, ignoring the importance of environmental information disclosure. Based on the Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS), a quasi-natural policy implemented in 2012, this paper assesses the effect of environmental information disclosure on air pollution through a dynamic spatial difference-in-difference (DID) model using panel data of 269 cities from 2006 to 2017 in China. We find that the implementation of the AAQS results in a 3% reduction of local PM2.5 concentration and a 3.3% reduction of PM2.5 concentration in the surrounding cities. Further analysis suggests that environmental information disclosure reduces air pollution through enhancing public environmental concerns, green innovation, and industrial upgrading. We also explore the moderating effect of government environmental regulation and heterogeneity analysis in different regions. Our findings suggest that government should further develop the scope and quality of environmental quality information disclosure. Moreover, the local government should provide more support for the green transformation of enterprises and provide necessary support during the transition period. In addition, long-term sustainable environmental protection policies must be able to mobilize regional initiatives for green development.
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spelling doaj.art-4a142b43735844e483ae237176874cae2023-02-02T06:32:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2023-02-011110.3389/fenvs.2023.11265651126565Can environmental information disclosure reduce air pollution? Evidence from ChinaLei Xiong0Hongyu Long1Xiang Zhang2Chenyang Yu3Zezhou Wen4Accounting School, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, ChinaNanyang Technopreneurship Centre, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, SingaporeAccounting School, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, ChinaAcademy of Guangzhou Development, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, ChinaSchool of Economics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, ChinaPrevious studies have focused on the reduction effect of regulation-based instruments and economic-based instruments on air pollution, ignoring the importance of environmental information disclosure. Based on the Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS), a quasi-natural policy implemented in 2012, this paper assesses the effect of environmental information disclosure on air pollution through a dynamic spatial difference-in-difference (DID) model using panel data of 269 cities from 2006 to 2017 in China. We find that the implementation of the AAQS results in a 3% reduction of local PM2.5 concentration and a 3.3% reduction of PM2.5 concentration in the surrounding cities. Further analysis suggests that environmental information disclosure reduces air pollution through enhancing public environmental concerns, green innovation, and industrial upgrading. We also explore the moderating effect of government environmental regulation and heterogeneity analysis in different regions. Our findings suggest that government should further develop the scope and quality of environmental quality information disclosure. Moreover, the local government should provide more support for the green transformation of enterprises and provide necessary support during the transition period. In addition, long-term sustainable environmental protection policies must be able to mobilize regional initiatives for green development.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1126565/fullair pollutionenvironmental information disclosureambient air quality standardsdynamic spatial difference-in-difference modelspillover effects
spellingShingle Lei Xiong
Hongyu Long
Xiang Zhang
Chenyang Yu
Zezhou Wen
Can environmental information disclosure reduce air pollution? Evidence from China
Frontiers in Environmental Science
air pollution
environmental information disclosure
ambient air quality standards
dynamic spatial difference-in-difference model
spillover effects
title Can environmental information disclosure reduce air pollution? Evidence from China
title_full Can environmental information disclosure reduce air pollution? Evidence from China
title_fullStr Can environmental information disclosure reduce air pollution? Evidence from China
title_full_unstemmed Can environmental information disclosure reduce air pollution? Evidence from China
title_short Can environmental information disclosure reduce air pollution? Evidence from China
title_sort can environmental information disclosure reduce air pollution evidence from china
topic air pollution
environmental information disclosure
ambient air quality standards
dynamic spatial difference-in-difference model
spillover effects
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1126565/full
work_keys_str_mv AT leixiong canenvironmentalinformationdisclosurereduceairpollutionevidencefromchina
AT hongyulong canenvironmentalinformationdisclosurereduceairpollutionevidencefromchina
AT xiangzhang canenvironmentalinformationdisclosurereduceairpollutionevidencefromchina
AT chenyangyu canenvironmentalinformationdisclosurereduceairpollutionevidencefromchina
AT zezhouwen canenvironmentalinformationdisclosurereduceairpollutionevidencefromchina