Impact of public environmental participation on air pollution control: A dual examination of we-media attention and government environmental regulation

In the new governance system characterized by the participation of the entire population, public environmental participation (Pub) has become a powerful means of promoting the in-depth improvement of air pollution (PM). Using data from 268 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2020, this study constructs multivariate econometric models within the regulatory frameworks of We-media attention (WA), local government environmental regulation (Er), and the Central Environmental Protection Inspection (Ep) to empirically analyze the impact of Pub on PM. The main results show that: (1) public complaints through traditional platforms (Pub1) have a significant negative correlation with PM, while public environmental concerns via new media channels (Pub2) only have a significant emission-reduction effect in the resource-based cities. (2) WA further weakens the negative impact of Pub1 on PM, but Er and Ep can effectively combine forces to enhance the emission-reduction effect of Pub1 on PM in resource-based cities. (3) Moreover, Pub1 has a single-threshold effect on PM under different levels of per capita GDP (Pgdp), and Pub2 has a dual-threshold effect on PM. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen the coordination and cooperation between Er and Ep to form a more effective regulatory synergy, optimize the management of We-media platforms and improve the compatibility between public participation tools and external governance channels to maximize the potential of Pub in PM.