High-Quality Development and Decoupling Economic Growth from Air Pollution: Evidence from Daily Electricity Consumption in Fujian

Abstract

In the context of growing challenges associated with pollution prevention and control, developing more efficient technologies and precise policy measures to address the bottleneck period is imperative. This study utilized daily electricity consumption data from nine prefecture-level cities in Fujian Province from January 2019 to June 2024 to develop a high-quality development index (HQDI) and empirically investigate how HQDI affects the decoupling of economic growth from pollution emissions. Results suggest that HQDI can significantly promote decoupling, with innovation, openness, and sharing playing positive roles, while brown industries’ development and the electricity capacity installation of small and micro-enterprises hinder these processes. Moreover, extreme high temperatures exert a significant negative impact on decoupling, whereas increased market concentration fosters decoupling. Policy recommendations include prioritizing innovation, green technologies, and energy efficiency (particularly for SMEs); addressing climate resilience; and expanding HQDI to include factors like digital technologies for sustainable growth in Fujian and similar regions.