How to optimize provincial PM2.5 reduction targets and paths for emerging industrialized countries? Fresh evidence from China.

Taking China as an example, this paper aims to design a path to reduce haze pollution in newly industrialized countries. Combined the principles of efficiency and equity, this study develops a Game Cross Equity Fixed Cost Allocation Model (Game-EFCAM) to optimize provincial PM_2.5 reduction targets and put forward haze reduction paths. The main results are as follows: (1) Among the three egalitarian principles, pay-ability egalitarianism is the fairest, which serves as the convergence principle of Game-EFCAM. (2) The "two mountains and two rivers" area has the largest PM_2.5 emission quotas, while the provinces in western China have small PM_2.5 emission quotas. In addition, the distributions of PM_2.5 emission quotas per unit of population, per unit of gross domestic product, and per unit of area all show significant regional clustering. (3) Shandong and Hebei have the largest amount of PM_2.5 emission reduction requirements, while Tianjin and Hainan have the smallest. Xinjiang and Beijing have the largest PM_2.5 reduction pressure indexes, while Tianjin and Shanghai have the smallest. This study not only helps China optimize provincial PM_2.5 reduction goals, but the proposed allocation method is also applicable to the overall planning of national resources utilization, and provides a reference to newly industrialized countries of haze reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]