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Effectively treating industrial SO 2 emissions depends on the synergy of different factors from the industrial SO 2 generation source to the end of treatment. Applying a whole process treatment perspective, this paper decomposes industrial SO 2 emissions into six specific driving factors in three whole process treatment dimensions (i.e. source prevention, process control, and end-of-pipe treatment), and economic scale. A temporal index decomposition analysis (Temporal-IDA), attribution analysis (AA), and spatial index decomposition analysis (Spatial-IDA) methods are then applied to quantify each dimension's treatment effect and its spatial differences. The empirical study across 30 regions in China using data from 2005 to 2015 shows that: (1) The end-of-pipe treatment is the dominant dimension for decreasing industrial SO 2 emissions, followed by process control. The contribution of source prevention to reduce industrial SO 2 emissions has begun to appear, however, there remains room for further improvement; (2) End-of-pipe treatment strength and energy intensity are key factors in reducing industrial SO 2 emissions; Inner Mongolia, Henan, and Shandong are the main contributors; (3) The treatment emphasis are different among regions; as such, there are different treatment effects across the three dimensions of the whole process treatment. Regions can be classified into four categories: the Leading type , Process-dependent type , End-dependent type, and Lagging type. Based on the empirical results, this paper identifies the policy implications of promoting whole process treatment on China's industrial SO 2 emissions. • We study China's industrial SO 2 emissions from a whole process treatment perspective. • Both temporal and spatial index decomposition analysis methods are used. • End-of-pipe treatment and process control majorly reduce industrial SO 2 emissions. • Industrial SO 2 emissions whole process treatment performances vary among regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

The expansion of road networks in emerging economies such as China causes significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This development is conflicting with China's commitment to achieve carbon neutrality. Thus, there is a need to better understand life cycle emissions of road infrastructure and opportunities to mitigate these emissions. Existing impact studies of roads in developing countries do not address recycled materials, improved pavement maintenance, or pavement-vehicle interaction and electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Combining firsthand information from Chinese road construction engineers with publicly available data, this paper estimates a comprehensive account of GHG emissions of the road pavement network to be constructed in the next ten years in the Shandong province in Northern China. Further, we estimate the potential of GHG emission reductions achievable under three scenario sets: maintenance optimization, alternative pavement material replacement, and EV adoption. Results show that the life cycle GHG emissions of highways and Class 1–4 roads to be constructed in the next 10 years amount to 147 Mt CO2-eq. Considering the use phase in our model reveals that it is the dominant stage in terms of emissions, largely due to pavement-vehicle interaction. Vehicle electrification can only moderately mitigate these emissions. Other stages, such as materials production and road maintenance and rehabilitation, contribute substantially to GHG emissions as well, highlighting the importance of optimizing the management of these stages. Surprisingly, longer, not shorter maintenance intervals, yield significant emission reductions. Another counter-intuitive finding is that thicker and more material-intensive pavement surfaces cause lower emissions overall. Taken together, optimal maintenance and rehabilitation schedules, alternative material use, and vehicle electrification provide GHG reduction potentials of 11%, 4%–16% and 2%–6%, respectively. • Road construction implies significant amounts of GHG emissions. • China's road expansion plans are at odds with its target of GHG neutrality. • We assess GHG emissions of Shandong's roads to be constructed through 2030. • We combine life cycle assessment based on primary data with a new optimization model. • Individual mitigation measures can reduce life cycle GHG emissions by up to 16%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public demand for urban green growth (UGG) varies greatly due to climate conditions, resource endowments, geographical location; thus, understanding the coupling relationship between public demand and government supply is important to optimize government investment. This paper aims to evaluate the coupling coordination of UGG between public demand and government supply. An index system consisting of six aspects, including environment, society, economy, population, production and life, was used to evaluate the government supply. Meanwhile, citizens' demand was measured by the satisfaction for the six aspects. The coupling coordination degree model (CCDM) was established to analyze the government supply and public demand for UGG, and it was tested in the case of Shandong Peninsula urban agglomeration in China. The results indicated that citizens of Shandong Peninsula are basically satisfied, and the satisfaction for the environment, population and life is higher than the average value. From 2015 to 2019, the government supply level shows a trend of rising first and then declining, of which environment has been always at a high level for the five years. The coupling coordination degree of UGG shows the supply and demand in different cities of urban agglomerations is unbalanced, and the overall value of the eastern coast is higher than that of the western inland area. Moreover, the concept of relative satisfaction was put forwards, which is of great significance for regional policy. To improve UGG for a city, determining optimization objectives base on their evaluation results of coupling coordination degree and relative satisfaction is important, as well as the possible external reasons for the low coupling coordination degree. • The citizen satisfaction with green growth in an urban agglomeration is surveyed. • A comparable urban growth index system is proposed at the city level. • A coupling coordination model is established to explore the balance of urban green growth. • Strategies are proposed from the aspects of temporal and spatial heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter-basin water transfers are intended to have a positive impact on the development of a region, but are always accompanied by huge energy consumption. The feasibility and effectiveness of water transfer projects have not yet been clearly evaluated, especially in the light of their energy consumption and effects on social development. This paper develops a method that combines life cycle approach and system dynamic model to reveal the effectiveness of different water supply alternatives (transferred water, reclaimed wastewater and rainwater harvesting) when they are all constrained to consume equal energy. This approach is applied to the case of Jinan city in Shandong province, China, the main water-receiving city on the Eastern Route of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project (ER-SNWTP). The results show that in normal years, Jinan's reclaimed water and rainwater harvesting supply are effective replacements for transferred water under the constraints of equal energy consumption and capital costs; even in dry years these two alternatives still play an important role. The results of this study indicate the relative effectiveness of reclaimed water and rainwater harvesting in supplying urban water while conserving energy and capital. • Using a new evaluation approach for urban water supply alternatives analysis. • Local water and transferred water have similar supporting role to the receiving city in the east route of SNWTP; • Local water option has less environmental impact and lower financial cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]