Effects of emission control areas on sulfur-oxides concentrations--Evidence from the coastal ports in China

Abstract

The setting of Sulfur limitations in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) is a crucial action of marine environmental governance at the international regulatory levels. In this study, the overall and structural impacts of the two rounds of ECA policies on SOx concentrations were quantified using synthetic control method (SCM) based on time-series data from Chinese coastal ports from 2005 to 2020. From the outcomes, the 1st round of ECA policy announced in 2015 intensified the competition between ECA and non-ECA ports and provided strong support for ECA expansion and enhanced regulation in 2019. In addition, the restrictions on the Sulfur content of marine fuels under the 1st round of ECA policy has only effectively reduced the SOx concentration in the Bohai Rim and the Yangtze River Delta region, whereas the impact on the Pearl River Delta region isn't significant. However, the 2nd round of ECA policy has only effectively impacted the Bohai Rim. In general, the effect of the 1st round of ECA policy is better than that of the 2nd round, which is mainly because the favorable effect of the further expansion of ECA policy is offset by a significant increase in vessel activity in Chinese coastal ports.

Keywords: Coastal port; Emission control area; Sulfur-oxides concentrations; Synthetic control method.