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Ambient air pollution is a major public health concern impacting all aspects of human health. There is a lack of studies on the impact of ambient air pollution on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older Chinese adults. Our study answers two questions: How concentrations of ambient air pollutants are associated with HRQoL among older adults in China and, second, what are the possible mechanisms through which ambient air pollution affects HRQoL. From the 2018 National Health Service Survey, we sampled 5717 aged 65 years or older residents for the eastern province of Shandong, China. Data on individual exposures to PM 2.5 and PM 10 (particulate matter with diameter less than or equal to 2.5 μm and 10 μm) and sulfur dioxide (SO 2) were collected from the ChinaHighAirPollutants (CHAP) datasets. Mixed-effects Tobit regression models and mixed-effects ordered Probit regression models were employed to examine the associations of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution with the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 3 Level Version (EQ-5D-3L) scale comprising mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Socioeconomic, demographic and behavioral factors relating to HRQoL were also examined. The results show that for each 1 μg/m3 increase, EQ-5D-3L scores fell 0.002 for PM 2.5 ; 0.001 for PM 10 and 0.002 for SO 2. Long term exposure to PM 2.5 , PM 10 and SO 2 were also associated with increased prevalence of pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The reduced HRQoL effects of ambient air pollution were exacerbated by higher socioeconomic status (affluent, urban and higher level of education). Our findings suggested that HRQoL of older Chinese adults was not only associated with demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors, but also negatively correlated with air pollution, especially through increased pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The paper proposes policy recommendations. [Display omitted] • Ambient air pollution was associated with lower HRQoL among older adults in China. • Long term air pollution was associated with increased prevalence of pain and anxiety. • The reduced HRQoL effects was exacerbated by higher socioeconomic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green credit policy (GCP) can achieve economic growth and environmental conservation, notably by lowering air pollutants (PM2.5). Green credit is a significant component of China's green financing for environmental regulation and achieving carbon neutrality. In this paper, to understand the causal relationship between GCP and PM2.5, we apply a bootstrap full-sample Granger causality test, parameter stability test, and quantile-on-quantile test for the period between 2003:M01 to 2019:M12. The result shows a bidirectional relationship and reveals that GCP has varied environmental implications in its early and mature stages because of a low percentage of green credit and a lack of motivation for financial institutions. In the long run, GCP and PM2.5 interaction confirm the favorable effects of GCP on PM2.5 as the green credit system improves. For robustness, we used quantile-based granger causality to evaluate the causative link between GCP and PM2.5. In light of the findings, this research advises legislative reforms and stresses the relevance of green credit in improving air quality. This study adds additional evidence that air pollution affects green credit policies. Air quality being a leading indicator helps firms anticipate changes in bank credit preferences and alter financing techniques. • The study explores the causal relationship between GCP and PM2.5 • The study used advanced econometrics methods for the period 2003:M01 to 2019:M12. • The result shows a bidirectional relationship between GCP and PM2.5. • GCP has a positive influence on PM2.5 as the green credit system improves. • This study adds further evidence that air pollution affects green credit policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power industry of China plays an important role in reducing the carbon dioxide (CO 2) and air pollutant emissions. This paper focuses on synergistic CO 2 and air pollution emission reduction by implementing technical and structural measures, and explores the processes aimed at achieving the co-benefits of carbon reduction and air pollution control effectively in the power industry at a local level. The results of the analysis show that the structural measures achieve overall co-benefits, and the technical measures have a good effect in reducing the air pollution, but simultaneously increase CO 2 emissions because of the additional electricity used for running air pollution control devices (APCDs). Based on the analysis of the power generation incremental cost and pollutant emission reduction cost, cost-effective approaches to attain different emission reduction targets are proposed to the power industry in four case regions. These approaches can provide policy makers and stakeholders useful and relevant policy and operation recommendations to reduce CO 2 and air pollution emissions cost-effectively and promote low carbon sustainability in the power industry of China. • China's power industry plays an important role in reducing CO 2 and air pollutants. • Technical and structural measures of reducing CO 2 and air pollutants are analyzed. • Structural measures achieve overall co-benefits. • Technical measures have a good effect in reducing pollutants, but increase CO 2. • Cost-effective approaches are formed to cut CO2 and air pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]