Analysis of the Impact of Environmental Regulation on Industrial Pollutants: A Case of the Yangtze River Delta Region, China

Based on the panel data of 42 prefecture-level cities in the Yangtze River Delta region of China from 2003 to 2017, and based on STIRPAT model and Environment Kuznets Curve (EKC) theory, this paper conducts an empirical analysis on the impact of environmental regulation on industrial pollutants emissions in the Yangtze River Delta region. The results show that there is a nonlinear inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental regulation, industrial SO2 and industrial soot. Population size, secondary industry structure and energy consumption have significant promoting effects on the discharge of the three industrial pollutants. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is beneficial to reduce industrial SO2 and industrial soot discharge, but has no significant effect on industrial wastewater emission reduction. Technological innovation has a significant effect on the emission reduction of three industrial pollutants. Education level can significantly reduce the emission of SO2 and industrial waste water, but it has no significant effect on the emission of industrial soot. Based on the research results, the government and enterprises should formulate reasonable environmental regulation intensity to promote the development of green and innovative technologies, increase investment