Exploring ways to improve China's ecological well-being amidst air pollution challenges using mixed methods

Area of Science:

• Sustainable Development
• Environmental Economics
• Public Health

Background:

• Ecological well-being performance (EWP) is a novel concept distinct from ecological efficiency.
• Existing research on EWP lacks comprehensive theoretical and methodological investigation into its driving pathways.
• There is a need to integrate health impacts and air pollution into EWP evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an "economy-environment-health" framework for reevaluating EWP.
• To investigate the primary driving pathways of EWP using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• To identify effective configurations of driving factors for enhancing EWP.

Main Methods:

• Development of an "economy-environment-health" framework.
• Application of a two-stage Super-NSBM and Window Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model for EWP reevaluation.
• Utilizing quantitative spatial econometric analysis and the fsQCA method to identify driving pathways.

Main Results:

• Market-driven environmental regulations, green invention patents, and optimized industrial/energy structures significantly improve EWP.
• Four distinct and effective configurational pathways for enhancing EWP were identified.
• These pathways involve combinations of environmental regulations, technological innovation, structural adjustments, and public participation.

Conclusions:

• EWP is a complex construct influenced by multiple interacting factors.
• Targeted strategies combining environmental regulations, technological innovation, and structural adjustments are crucial for improving EWP.
• Understanding configurational pathways provides a nuanced approach to sustainable development policy.