Can central environmental protection inspection boost air pollution control? – a quasi-natural experiment from China?

We selected data from December 2014 to December 2020 to evaluate the impact of central environmental protection inspections on air pollution as well as the strategic choices of different cities. The results indicate that the first round of central environmental protection inspections and the look-back policy exerted significant suppressive effects on AQI, PM2.5, and CO2. Notably, the effects were more pronounced during the first round of inspections. In addition, the likelihood of adopting a more "positive and prudent" approach to air pollution control is positively associated with higher levels of government environmental concern, lower financial pressure, and greater emphasis on reputation. This, in turn, enhances the effectiveness of central environmental protection inspections. These findings are particularly evident in cities located south of the "Qinling–Huaihe" line, in non-heating areas, and in cities where political officials have experience with off-site exchanges.