Journal of Cleaner Production | 2021
Haze pollution and corruption: A perspective of mediating and moderating roles
Abstract
Abstract Haze pollution, a prominent environmental problem, has attracted the attention of many national leaders and scholars. The relationship between corruption and environmental pollution has been demonstrated previously, but the mechanism of action between the two has not been clarified. Taking 139 countries as samples, we analyzed the transmission effect of economic development and foreign direct investment (FDI) on political corruption and haze pollution. The main results are as follows. (1) More non-corrupt government agencies reduced the local haze pollution concentration. (2) Economic development plays a mediating effect with respect to corruption and PM2.5 pollution. In other words, non-corrupt government agencies can not only directly decrease haze pollution, but also have an indirect effect on controlling haze by influencing economic development. (3) FDI influences the sensitivity of haze pollution to the level of government corruption. Generally speaking, a large amount of FDI reduces the effect of haze control on institutional quality, and the moderating effect of FDI is mainly exerted by means of economic development. These findings provide theoretical support for the development of different policies in different regions. Tackling government corruption is one way of alleviating the current pressure of haze pollution. In particular, the focus of haze control policies should be adjusted depending on the level of economic development. In poorer countries, greater importance should be placed on the development of the national economy, and the mediating effect of economic development should be the main focus of efforts to alleviate haze pollution. However, economically developed countries should intensify their examination of foreign investment to avoid investment by polluting enterprises and reduce the haze treatment effect that is brought about by non-corrupt government agencies.