Abstract
This paper investigates inequality in SO2 and NOX emissions, by observing their extraordinary levels and uneven distribution in China during the period of the 11th and 12th Five-Year Plans (FYPs, 2006–2015). This provincial and regional analysis utilizing the Theil index and Kaya factors help us to find the trajectory of inequality and its primary sources. Based on our analysis, we conclude the driving factors behind emissions inequalities are as follows. There are four economic factors of per capita SO2 emission: SO2 emission intensity of coal consumption, coal intensity of power generation, power intensity of GDP, and per capita GDP. Additionally, there are four urban development factors of per capita NOX emission: NOX emission intensity of gasoline consumption, proportion of gasoline vehicles, vehicle use in urban population, and urbanization rate. The SO2 emission results represent an increase of 6% in overall inequality where the inequality of power intensity of GDP is the main contributor. In terms of NOX emission, the 3% growth in total inequality is related to the high effect of NOX emission intensity of gasoline consumption. We also examine the effect of other factors affecting the trajectory of inequalities. To apply these results in practice, we compare the 11th and 12th FYPs and give some policy suggestions.
Highlights
Air pollution in China has grown up to be a serious problem for both the Chinese people and government since it disturbs sustainable development along with threatening people’s health [1]
We initially determine the most important economic and urban development factors for SO2 and NOX emissions. These factors reflect the particular characteristics of SO2 and NOX emissions in China according to the body of literature
As we examined the literature in the field of the relation between different emissions and inequality, we considered SO2 and NOX emissions as two important pollutants for the following reasons: The Highest Emission Level
Summary
Air pollution in China has grown up to be a serious problem for both the Chinese people and government since it disturbs sustainable development along with threatening people’s health [1]. Rafaj et al [15] applied Kaya factors to calculate the emission trends of SO2, NOX (NO and NO2 are both denoted by NOX since they can be converted to each other), and CO2 in European countries Whereas they used same driving factors for different emissions, here we differ from previous studies by considering SO2 and NOX emissions separately. We initially determine the most important economic and urban development factors for SO2 and NOX emissions These factors reflect the particular characteristics of SO2 and NOX emissions in China according to the body of literature (see Section 3.1). We believe these factors can well measure inequality because previous studies have investigated their impact on the different emission trends in China. We introduce sources of inequality for government and policy makers
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