Research on the relationship between energy consumption and air quality in the Yangtze River Delta of China: an empirical analysis based on 20 sample cities

This paper uses static and dynamic panel regression to measure the effect of energy consumption on air quality of 20 heavily polluted cities in the Yangtze River Delta of China. Further, the influence of the relevant policies on the relationship between energy consumption and air quality is tested with the method of regression discontinuity. This study concluded the following: (1) When energy consumption structure, industrial structure, and energy efficiency are taken into account, the effect coefficient of energy consumption on air quality is 0.4579, meaning that controlling energy consumption tends to improve the air quality positively. (2) The emission of sulfur dioxide is characterized by inertia; the annual increase in sulfur dioxide emissions in the previous year will lead to an increase of 0.427% in the annual emissions. (3) The relationship between energy consumption and air quality of different cities varies, and these cities can be divided into four categories. (4) The relevant policies for improving air quality are effective to some extent. This study indicates that the Yangtze River Delta should focus on actively changing the mode of energy development.