A spatial analysis of air pollution and environmental inequality in Beijing, 2000–2010

Abstract

Whilst air pollution is a major problem in China, little is known about how it is distributed socially and how such distributions are changing over time. We use a fine-grained population census and air quality data for 2000 and 2010 to explore socio-spatial and temporal inequalities in air pollution for Beijing, using distributional analyses and spatial regression models. We find that environmental inequalities exist with respect to measures of social disadvantage, such as hukou migrant status, very young children (0–4 years), and the elderly (≥65 years). Our temporal analysis reveals that environmental inequality increases for migrants and the elderly, who bear a disproportionate and increasing share of declining air quality from 2000 to 2010. Regression results emphasise the spatial and temporal variations in environmental inequality, as the associations between air pollution and social demographics differ between different urban zones of Beijing; and their geographic patterns change significantly over time.

Keywords:

• air pollution
• environmental justice
• spatial regression model
• China

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful for the comments of the Editor and three anonymous reviewers, which have improved this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant No. 41601148], and the UK Economic and Social Research Council [Grant No. ES/P003567/1].