The relationship between growth and the environment in Beijing, using PM2.5 concentrations.

This study examines the relationship between income and the environment in Beijing from 2008 to 2017 using quarterly data. The indicator for environmental quality is concentrations of Particular Matter (PM) 2.5, from the Mission China Air Quality Monitoring Programme (MCAQMP), whose observation site is in the US embassy in Chaoyang District, Beijing. By adding cubic GDP and other variables consistent with the Urban Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis, such as green space and the length of the road network, the result suggests an N- shaped pattern rather than the conventional inverted U shape. The per capita GDP for Beijing is currently slightly lower than the second turning point, suggesting that the degradation would become more severe as income grows, if no new development strategies are implemented in the city.