Citizen environmental complaint reporting and air quality improvement: A panel regression analysis in China

Citizen environmental complaint reporting provides a vital mode of public participation in environmental protection, particularly in addressing atmospheric pollution and improving air quality. This study explores the impact of environmental complaint reporting on the improvement of atmospheric environmental quality by employing panel regression and simultaneous equation models. Analyzing panel data from 295 Chinese cities between 2018 and 2020, The results indicate that environmental complaint reporting significantly contributes to the enhancement of atmospheric environmental quality, even after considering endogenous effects. The heterogeneity analysis results suggest that the effectiveness of environmental complaint reporting in improving atmospheric environmental quality is more pronounced in cities with higher levels of air pollution and greater economic development. In addition, the results show a differential impact of environmental complaint reporting in industrial-dominated cities compared to non-industrial cities, emphasizing their effectiveness in improving air quality among areas with more pronounced emission sources. The results of this study provide valuable insights into air pollution control efforts in China and offer important lessons for other countries facing similar challenges.