LAUSR

Cities are faced with various kinds of pollution issues in the process of economic development, among which industrial pollution has become the most terrifying environmental issue in recent years, so that industrial pollution control should be emphasized. Finding out the key factors influencing industrial pollutant emissions is the basis of taking corresponding measures. Previous studies only focused on one pollutant without a comparative analysis of the contribution of influencing factors to multiple pollutants. Therefore, this study aims to identify the key influencing factors of industrial pollutants in Nanjing, Suzhou, Xuzhou, and Taizhou in Jiangsu Province during the years 2008–2018 by using the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method. The results from decomposition indicate the following. (1) Emission intensity (EI) and energy efficiency (EE) are negative factors for decreasing industrial pollutant emissions, while the economic output (EO) and population (P) are positive factors for increasing industrial pollutant emissions. (2) Emission intensity has the most significant influence to industrial wastewater in decreasing emissions; energy efficiency makes the biggest contribution to industrial solid waste in decreasing emissions, economic output and population contribute the most to industrial solid waste in increasing emissions. (3) Nanjing has the highest contribution rate of emission intensity and population, and the contribution rate of energy efficiency and economic output to Taizhou is the highest. Identifying the key driving factors of different pollutants can serve as evidence and guidance for urban environmental governance, therefore reducing emissions ulteriorly, and achieving sustainable development.