Abstract:

With the extension of the hypothesis of “Environmental Kuznets Curve”，this paper established econometric models through correlating six kinds of pollution indicators with urbanization level and controlled variables. By using panel data from thirty provinces (cities and municipalities) of China from 1998 to 2005，authors conducted empirical study with the help of Eviews software package. Results demonstrated that invertedU shape relationship was found between four kinds of pollutant indicators and urbanization level，and other two kinds of indicators have U shape relationship with urbanization level. At present，China has moved to the right part of the curves as a whole. Due to the development disparities existing among regions，every province moves to the right part of the curves at different times. With the introduction of controlled variables to the econometric model，the estimated results showed that turningpoint of some curves as well as the U curve relationship between some pollutant indicators and urbanization level all changed. Foreign trade does not necessarily result in environmental deterioration，and the socalled pollution haven hypothesis does not exist in China. The change in industrial structure is an important factor causing environmental pollution. The decrease of energy consumption per unit of GDP induced by technological progress can alleviate the pressure of environmental pollution. Faster economic growth will give rise to more severe environmental pollution.

Key words: urbanization, Environmental Kuznets Curve, panel data, empirical study