Can Industrial Relocation Reduce Air Pollution? Evidence From a Quasi-Natural Experiment in China

To reduce the increasingly severe air pollution caused by rapid industrialization, China has introduced a National Industrial Relocation Demonstration Zones (NIRDZs) policy. This paper takes the NIRDZs as a quasi-natural experiment and employs the difference-in-differences (DID) method to test the effects of industrial relocation on air pollution based on panel data of 285 prefecture-level cities from 2003 to 2018. Results show that the NIRDZs have an inhibitory effect on SO2 emissions, although their local effect is significant in the first 5 years and their spillover effect only occurs within 50-100 km. Mechanism analysis reveals that the NIRDZs reduce air emissions by rationalizing and upgrading the industrial structure. Additionally, further discussions suggest that cities with moderate administrative areas and abundant natural resources should be prioritized as pilot cities, and industries including nonferrous metals, steel, automotive, new energy, new materials, and producer services should be designated as priority industries.

Automated summary

To combat air pollution caused by rapid industrialization, China has implemented the National Industrial Relocation Demonstration Zones (NIRDZs) policy. Through panel data analysis of 285 prefecture-level cities, this study finds that industrial relocation has an inhibitory effect on SO2 emissions, with significant local effects in the first 5 years and spillover effects limited to a range of 50-100 km. Mechanism analysis suggests that the NIRDZs policy achieves air emission reduction by rationalizing and upgrading the industrial structure.