Changing approaches to assessing the economic loss of environmental destruction in China

Despite the significant success achieved by China in improving the environment, destruction of the environment in its territory remains a serious problem not only of national, but also of global importance. This article examines the changing approaches to assessing the economic loss of environmental degradation and pollution in China since the 1990-s. The main objects of the study were lifesupporting elements of the environment: atmosphere, water and land resources. The author notes that the main methods of valuation were initially the methods of substitution with a market price, shadow engineering, “human capital” and contingent valuation. The results obtained match categories of damage suffered by the PRC on a national scale. In recent years, there has been a noticeable greening of the Chinese economy and society, including the result of the adoption of the concept of sustainable development at the turn of the century. Approaches to the calculation of economic damage have also changed: now the assessment includes, first the loss of profit by enterprises due to the suspension of activities in order to preserve the environment. This position indicates China's readiness to incur significant costs to improve the environment.
 

Keywords: PRC; environmental pollution; land resources; water resources; air pollution; assessment of economic loss.

For citation: Petushkova V.V. Changing approaches to assessing the economic loss of environmental destruction in China // Social Novelties and Social Sciences. – 2025. – N 1. – P. 39–66.
DOI: 10.31249/snsn/2025.01.03

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