Distribution of policy attention to environmental pollution: Evidence from China

This study analyzes the effect of local policy attention on industrial pollution emissions intensity in China spanning 2011–2021 using city-level government work reports to measure the attention on air and water governance. Our findings reveal that industrial pollution emissions intensity is negatively correlated with policy attention. Moreover, local policy attention decreases industrial pollution emissions intensity through environmental law enforcement and local environmental infrastructure construction. The pollution reduction effects of policy attention allocation also exhibit heterogeneity, wherein are weakened under stronger vertical environmental regulation and strengthened under higher extra-governmental environmental supervision. This study provides an additional theoretical account of China, providing valuable insights for advancing environmental improvement.