Kuznets Curve based Analysis on the Relationship between Economic Growth and Environmental Quality in Beijing

Abstract

It is well known that the economic growth of big cities may cause risk on the environment, thus it is essential to study the relationship between economic growth and environmental quality. Particularly, this paper establishes the environmental Kuznets curve measurement models between Beijing’s economic growth and environmental pollution levels using 2000-2017 Beijing time series data. Economic development level is measured by GDP per capita. The level of environmental pollution is measured by the discharge of industrial waste water, the discharge of industrial waste gas, the production of industrial solid waste, and the discharge of industrial sulfur dioxide. The empirical results show that the environmental Kuznets curve of Beijing’s economic growth and industrial wastewater discharge has an inverted N-type characteristic. Second, the economic Kuznets curve of Beijing’s economic growth, whether it is related to the amount of industrial exhaust emissions or the amount of industrial solid waste produced, has an inverted U-shaped curve. In addition, the environmental Kuznets curve of Beijing’s economic growth and industrial sulfur dioxide emissions has linear characteristics. Based on the characteristics of these environmental Kuznets curves, this paper finds that there is a relatively good relationship between Beijing’s economic development level and the environment relationship after a comprehensive analysis. On this basis, this paper puts forward the suggestions of Beijing’s environmental Kuznets curve to Beijing’s good environmental level.