The effects of fuel standards on air pollution: Evidence from China

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Li, Pei; Lu, Yi; Wang, Jin
• 署名单位: Zhejiang University; Tsinghua University; Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2020.102488
• 发表日期: 2020
• 关键词: Fuel standards; Sulfur content; Vehicle emissions; pollution; CHINA

摘要

This paper examines the causal relationship between China's fuel standards and air pollution using a difference-in-differences design and regression discontinuity analyses. Combining data on staggered prefectural implementation of the regulations with hourly station-level pollution data, we show that the enforcement of high-quality gasoline standards significantly improved air quality, especially in terms of fine particles and ozone. The average pollution across all pollutants was reduced by 12.9%. The new gasoline standard's net benefit is estimated to be about US$26 billion annually. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of precise standards in reducing air pollution in a developing country setting.