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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Can Carbon Sequestration by
Terrestrial Vegetation Improve Air
Quality? Evidence from China
1
College of Tourism, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, Henan, China
Submission date: 2024-07-28
Final revision date: 2024-09-11
Acceptance date: 2024-11-10
Online publication date: 2025-01-22
Publication date: 2026-01-29
Corresponding author
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2026;35(1):235-252
KEYWORDS
carbon sequestration by terrestrial vegetationhaze pollutionsatellite dataenvironmental performanceeconomic performance
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Carbon sequestration by terrestrial vegetation (Cstv) is a vital ecosystem service for regulating global
climate change. This study utilizes satellite data and a two-way fixed effects model to comprehensively
examine the relationship between Cstv and haze pollution. The findings indicate that Cstv significantly
reduces haze pollution, a conclusion that remains robust under various checks. Mechanism analysis
reveals that Cstv mitigates haze pollution through two pathways: enhancing environmental performance
and improving economic performance. Additionally, the study identifies regional differences in the
effectiveness of Cstv in reducing haze pollution. In non-key areas for air pollution prevention and
control, Cstv significantly reduces haze pollution, whereas in key areas for air pollution prevention and
control, Cstv has no effect. Furthermore, Cstv has a greater impact on non-key environmental protection
cities than on key environmental protection cities. This study provides theoretical support and practical
insights for the development of scientifically sound environmental protection policies and economic
development strategies.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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