Keywords
Environmental Kuznets Curves, Technological Innovation, Water Pollution, Economic Development, Econometric Modelling, Circum-Bohai-Sea Zone
Abstract
Based on the principle and model of Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), the present paper examines the relationship between water pollution and economic growth in the Circum-Bohai-Sea Zone of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei Province, Shandong Province, and Liaoning Province with the annual time series data for 2003 to 2017. By analyzing the industrial, household, and total wastewater discharge separately as the measurement of water pollution, the results are consistent with the EKC model. In particular, according to econometric analysis, the variables of economic growth and per capita GDP are statistically significant in domestic and total wastewater discharge cases. However, the association of industrial wastewater discharge and economic development is more significant in the N-type EKC model, according to estimation results. This implies that water pollution will worsen without increased government interventions and management. The sub-goal is to investigate the impact of technologies on the EKC model in each subregion. By using the number of universities as a proxy of technology and observing the turning point, it can be assumed that technology can help decrease the level of water pollution, though trends in Shandong Province challenge this finding.
Primary Advisor
Wang, Yuntong
Co-Advisor
Li,Dingding
Program Reader
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Economics
Document Type
Major Research Paper
Convocation Year
2020