Pingdan Zhang：“End-of-pipe or process-integrated: evidence from LMDI decomposition of China’s SO2 emission density reduction”，Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering，July 2013.

Abstract:

In this study, reduction in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission is decomposed into three parts: source prevention, process control and end-of-pipe treatment, using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index method (LMDI). Source prevention and process control are defined as processintegrated treatment. It is found that from 2001 to 2010 the reduction of SO2 emission density in China was mainly contributed by end-of-pipe treatment. From the 10th Five Year Plan (FYP) period (2001–2005) to the 11th FYP period (2006–2010), the Chinese government has attempted to enhance process-integrated treatment. However, given its initial effort, the effect is limited compared with that of the end-of-pipe treatment. The effectiveness of environmental regulation and technology in the reduction of SO2 density in 30 provinces (municipality/autonomous regions) from 2001 to 2010 is also investigated. This implies that environmental regulation and technology promote process control and end-of-pipe treatment significantly, but does not influence source prevention. Furthermore, environmental technology will only take effect under the circumstances of stringent environmental regulation. Therefore, to fulfill the whole process treatment, environmental regulation should be strengthened and environmental technology upgraded at the same time.