The effect of air pollution on Chinese green bond market: The mediation role of public concern

Climate change news exposure, first and third-person effects, and eco-anxiety in the Chinese general population: a moderation model

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the relationship between exposure to climate change news and eco-anxiety in the Chinese general population, exploring the moderating effects of first-person effect (FPE) and third-person effect (TPE).

METHODS

Utilizing a non-representative sample of 1483 Chinese adults, we conducted an online survey assessing media consumption across traditional and digital platforms, FPE, TPE, and eco-anxiety. The survey included structured items measuring the frequency and impact of climate change news exposure, alongside scales for assessing eco-anxiety and perceptual biases (FPE and TPE).

RESULTS

Preliminary analyses indicate a significant correlation between higher exposure to climate change news and increased levels of eco-anxiety. Moderation analysis revealed that both FPE and TPE significantly influenced the relationship between news exposure and eco-anxiety, with FPE strengthening and TPE weakening this association.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the way individuals perceive the impact of climate change news-on themselves versus others-moderates the emotional response to such news. Specifically, those who perceive a greater personal impact (FPE) experience higher eco-anxiety, whereas those who perceive a greater impact on others (TPE) report lower anxiety levels. This study highlights the need for nuanced media communication strategies that consider these perceptual biases to manage public emotional responses to climate change effectively.

Public perceptions and practices on air quality and respiratory health: insights from a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia

This study aimed to assess public perceptions and practices regarding air quality and its impact on respiratory health in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 539 participants, selected through stratified random sampling across urban, semi-urban, and rural areas. Data were collected via an online questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA. Findings indicated that 63.2% (n = 341) of participants occasionally checked air quality reports, with moderate confidence in interpreting them (52.5%, n = 283). Awareness of the health impacts of air pollution was higher in urban areas, while rural participants showed less concern and lower awareness (P < .0001). Younger participants (18-30 years) had the highest concern about air pollution (mean: 3.39), whereas older participants demonstrated lower awareness of associated health risks (P < .0001). The study found no significant gender differences in perceptions (P > .05). Despite moderate concern about air pollution, participants perceived a low impact on their quality of life (mean: 2.85). The study underscores the importance of localized public health strategies to address air quality concerns and mitigate respiratory health risks in Saudi Arabia.

Environmental, social, and governance performance, financing constraints, and corporate investment efficiency: Empirical evidence from China

This study explores the connection between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, financing constraints, and corporate investment efficiency. The hypotheses in this study are formulated based on the principles of stakeholder and agency theories. We used secondary data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2021 to conduct an empirical analysis using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Fixed Effect (FE) estimators. The results indicate that good ESG performance can enhance corporate investment efficiency. Compared to over-investment, ESG performance has a more pronounced effect on mitigating under-investment. Using a mediating analysis model, we also find that ESG performance exerts an inhibitory influence on both under- and over-investments by mitigating corporate financing constraints. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the enhancing effect of ESG performance on corporate investment efficiency is more significant in non-state-owned corporations, low-pollution corporations, and corporations with a higher proportion of institutional investors. This study provides insights for listed companies to improve ESG performance to enhance capital allocation efficiency and promote sustainable development.

How digital transformation facilitate synergy for pollution and carbon reduction: Evidence from China

Frontier studies have neglected the impact of digital transformation (DT) on the synergy for pollution and carbon reduction (SPCR) from the perspective of micro enterprises. This paper explores the SPCR effect of DT, as well as its mechanism at micro-firm level. The study found that: (1) DT significantly facilitates corporate SPCR. For every 10% increase in the level of DT, the ranking of SPCR will rise by about 2.3 places. This effect is more obvious in high-tech firms and non-heavy polluters, firms in the eastern region in China, and non-SOE. (2) DT creates innovation-driven and structure-optimizing effects, which enhance the corporate green innovation ability, optimize the business structure and capital allocation structure of enterprises, and then drive the SPCR. (3) External public environmental concerns (PEC) and internal corporate ESG governance act as "accelerators" promoting the SPCR effect of DT. Based on these, policy implications are made to accelerate the pace of corporate DT, give full play to the first-mover advantage, and break the "pollution (carbon) lock-in" with a view to providing theoretical references for the listed enterprises' digitalized governance of SPCR, as well as the governmental departments' formulation of relevant guiding policies, and striving to achieve the high-quality development goal.

Can green finance improve eco-efficiency? New Insights from China

Achieving economic development and ecological protection simultaneously is an inevitable selection for sustainable development in today's world, so it is crucial to improve eco-efficiency (EE). According to Chinese panel data at the provincial level between 2010 and 2020, this research explores the nexus between green finance (GF) and EE. The results denote that GF can significantly improve EE, and the higher the level of EE, the stronger the effect of improvement. The upgrading of industrial structure, optimization of energy structure, enterprises' concern for environmental protection and the public's attention to the environment are all favorable factors that can enhance the promotion effect of GF on EE. Additionally, this facilitation can only be played under a good external environment and mature internal conditions. Our findings can provide new insights for improving EE by developing GF.

Incentive or constraint? Comprehensive impacts of green credit policy on industrial energy intensity

Green credit policy (GCP) has dual attributes of being both an "environmental regulation" and a "financial instrument". Understanding its role in facilitating industrial green transformation is crucial. However, there is limited theoretical and empirical evidence on the impact of GCP on industrial green transformation. This research fills this gap by comprehensively investigating the impacts and mechanisms of GCP on industrial energy intensity (EI) in China, considering both incentive and constraint effects. Theoretically, the environmental and financial impacts of GCP are merged into a unified analytical framework based on a heterogeneous enterprise model. Empirically, diverse empirical methods, including difference-in-differences (DID), difference-in-differences-in-differences (DDD), and mediating effects models, are adopted to examine whether GCP can promote green innovation or accelerate financial constraints. Results show that (1) GCP significantly decreases EI, especially among high-polluting enterprises (HPEs). The impact of incentives is far greater than that of constraints. (2) Regarding the incentive effect, energy substitution and innovation offsets exert a primary influence on reducing EI. (3) The constraint effect is caused primarily by rising financing and pollution abatement costs. (4) Heterogeneity analysis shows that the inhibiting effect of GCP is more significant in non-state-owned enterprises, underdeveloped financial markets, and abundant energy endowments. This paper provides a theoretical framework and new empirical evidence for policymakers to design effective policies for promoting industrial green transformation.

Long-term spatiotemporal evolution and coordinated control of air pollutants in a typical mega-mountain city of Cheng-Yu region under the "dual carbon" goal

Clarifying the spatiotemporal distribution and impact mechanism of pollution is the prerequisite for megacities to formulate relevant air pollution prevention and control measures and achieve carbon neutrality goals. Chongqing is one of the dual-core key megacities in Cheng-Yu region and as a typical mountain-city in China, environmental problems are complex and sensitive. This research aims to investigate the exceeding standard levels and spatio-temporal evolution of criteria pollutants between 2014 and 2020. The results indicated that PM10, PM2.5, CO and SO2 were decreased significantly by 45.91%, 52.86%, 38.89% and 66.67%, respectively. Conversely, the concentration of pollutant O3 present a fluctuating growth and found a "seesaw" phenomenon between it and PM. Furthermore, PM and O3 are highest in winter and summer, respectively. SO2, NO2, CO, and PM showed a "U-shaped", and O3 showed an inverted "U-shaped" seasonal variation. PM and O3 concentrations are still far behind the WHO, 2021AQGs standards. Significant spatial heterogeneity was observed in air pollution distribution. These results are of great significance for Chongqing to achieve "double control and double reduction" of PM2.5 and O3 pollution, and formulate a regional carbon peaking roadmap under climate coordination. Besides, it can provide an important platform for exploring air pollution in typical terrain around the world and provide references for related epidemiological research.Implications: Chongqing is one of the dual-core key megacities in Cheng-Yu region and as a typical mountain city, environmental problems are complex and sensitive. Under the background of the "14th Five-Year Plan", the construction of the "Cheng-Yu Dual-City Economic Circle" and the "Dual-Carbon" goal, this article comprehensively discussed the annual and seasonal excess levels and spatiotemporal evolution of pollutants under the multiple policy and the newest international standards (WHO,2021AQG) backgrounds from 2014 to 2020 in Chongqing. Furthermore, suggestions and measures related to the collaborative management of pollutants were discussed. Finally, limitations and recommendations were also put forward.Clarifying the spatiotemporal distribution and impact mechanism of pollution is the prerequisite for cities to formulate relevant air pollution control measures and achieve carbon neutrality goals. This study is of great significance for Chongqing to achieve "double control and double reduction" of PM2.5 and O3 pollution, study and formulate a regional carbon peaking roadmap under climate coordination and an action plan for sustained improvement of air quality.In addition, this research can advanced our understanding of air pollution in complex terrain. Furthermore, it also promote the construction of the China national strategic Cheng-Yu economic circle and build a beautiful west. Moreover, it provides scientific insights for local policymakers to guide smart urban planning, industrial layout, energy structure, and transportation planning to improve air quality throughout the Cheng-Yu region. Finally, this is also conducive to future scientific research in other regions of China, and even megacities with complex terrain in the world.

Labor market distortion and air pollution: An empirical analysis based on spatial effect modeling

In China, along with the rapid development of economy, air pollution has become a hot issue of public concern, particularly in many cities. The distortion in the labor factor market can cause air pollution, but the underlying mechanism is not yet clear. To investigate this question, this article examines the effect of labor market distortion on air pollution focusing on SO₂ emissions based on data of China's 283 cities during 2003-2015. The main objectives are to examine the direct and spillover effects of labor market distortion on air pollution using panel fixed-effects models, including the spatial Durbin model and the mediated-effects model. Results show that labor market distortion directly aggravates air pollution in cities. Mechanism analysis suggests that labor market distortion incurs air pollution through mechanisms of suppressing technological progress, hindering the upgrading of industrial structure, and reducing the efficiency of energy use. Divided the cities by their locations into those in eastern, central, and western regions, we find that such unfavorable effects are more prominent in eastern and western regions of the country. These findings highlight the impetus of mitigating the distorted labor market to ameliorate air quality and promote sustainable development.