Abstract
An integrated optimization simulation model has been developed based on an input-output approach to mitigate water pollution and water scarcity through embedding environmental economic policies and applicable technologies into a complex environ-economic system to obtain an optimal set of policies and technologies that promotes the maximization of the regional economy under the constraints of water pollutant discharge and water availability. An empirical study is undertaken with the Source Region of Liao River as the target area to verify the performance of the model. The relationships between the water environment and socio-economic systems are presented by clarifying the trends in economic development, water pollutant discharge and water supply and demand during a time horizon from 2011 to 2020. The endogenously-formed optimal set of policies and industrial restructuring simultaneously facilitate the reduction of water pollutant discharge and water consumption and increase the water supply. The extent of the mitigation of water pollution and water scarcity via applied policies and technologies promoted by the subsidies provided by the government are specified, and the mechanism of the policy application and subsidization distribution is explained. This model has applicability for other regions in terms of giving an optimal solution via comprehensive assessment of all of the proposed sustainability-related policies with sufficient data accessibility to achieve regional sustainable development.
Highlights
Water, as a scarce input, is necessary for socio-economic activities conducted by humans
In order to obtain an optimal solution with a holistic consideration, we explore an integrated optimization simulation model (IOSM) based on an extended IO model
Because of the introduction of the water pollutant discharge constraint and the freshwater availability constraint, the average gross regional product (GRP) growth rate of Scenario 2 (S2), Scenario 3 (S3) and Scenario 4 (S4) decreases to 9.61%, 7.91% and 9.55% from the 11.39% of Scenario 0 (S0) (Figure 3)
Summary
As a scarce input, is necessary for socio-economic activities conducted by humans. Pressures on the water environment have escalated due to water resource overexploitation and water pollution, which have brought impacts to human health and sustainable socio-economic development [1,2]. This severe state makes it significant to clarify the relationships between the water environment and socioeconomic systems and to exploit eligible water environment management instruments for the prevention of water environmental degradation and the promotion of socioeconomic development compatible with the viability of the water environment. A computable general equilibrium (CGE) model is another practical approach to capturing inter-linkages among industrial sectors, agents and markets, which has been intensively adopted to study the economic implications of water environmental policies [7,8,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call