The spatial and temporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of industrial pollution in North China

Scholars have different observations and undertandings over the relationship between the economic development and environment protection, since the “Environmental Kuznets Curve” hypothesis has been raised. The integrated utilization of resources and the collaborative industrial development in North China have improved economic development, and caused nonnegligible environmental pollution simuatenously. Currently, North China is at the critical point to achieve industrial green development. This research analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution patterns and influencing factors of industrial wastewater discharge in North China by using exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) and spatial econometric model. The results show that the industrial wastewater discharge shows an inverted “U” shape in time, reaching a peak in 2010 and then fluctuating down; spatially, it shows a significant spatial aggregation, while the spatial divergence also appears. Industrial structure is an important factor in promoting wastewater discharge, while economic development has an obvious inhibitory effect on pollution, but the influence of technological progress is not obvious.