2021
Author(s): Ma T, Wang Y
International trade's impact on the pollution reduction, especially varied reduction effects dealing with global or local pollutants has not been thoroughly researched empirically. We explored effects of international trade participation on both the carbon dioxide emission intensity and sulfur dioxide emission intensity with a panel data of 179 major countries during 20 years when globalization thrived. Carbon dioxide causing climate change is a global concern. While sulfur dioxide is one major air pollutant causing local health problems. Empirically, international trade participation mainly reduces carbon dioxide emission intensity but not sulfur dioxide emission intensity. Also, trade in goods form is more effective than in service form. However, international trade participation does little to improving a country's overall technology level, implying that regulation enhancement under international norm is the main mechanism. Compared with developed countries, developing countries can reduce both kinds of pollutant emission intensities more effectively by participating into international trade. A case study of China's entering into World Trade Organization (WTO)'s impact on pollutant reduction can provide more evidence. Also, developing countries with higher industrialization level experiences a bigger improvement in cleaner production. And developing countries with higher democratization level pay more attention to reduce local environmental concerns.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113249