From Research to Policy Recommendations - A Scientometric Case Study of Air Quality Management in the Greater Bay Area, China Jeffrey Chow, Tianle Liu, Coco Dijia Du, Rui Hu, and Xun Wu Policy Focus Air quality management in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) of China’s Pearl River Delta faces complex challenges due to its unique governance structure under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. This study investigates how scientific research informs environmental policy and the dynamics of this interaction, because the rapidly developing region faces urgent air pollution challenges. Understanding the science-policy interface is crucial for effective environmental governance and achieving better air quality outcomes. Study Methodology This study employs a comprehensive scientometric metaanalysis to examine the contributions of scientific research to air quality management in the GBA. It focuses on both Chinese and English-language publications from 2000 to 2019, encompassing a range of articles that meet specific criteria related to air pollution and its management. A detailed database was compiled, which includes articles analyzed for their funding sources, institutional affiliations, and policy content. By utilizing a manual Key Points ► The gap between scientific contributions and public policy is particularly relevant for rapidly developing regions facing urgent environmental challenges. The study examines how institutional factors influence the interface between scientific research and environmental policy in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) of China. ► It highlights the differing roles of government involvement in funding and authorship across Hong Kong and Chinese mainland literature on air quality. ► Findings indicate that articles from Hong Kong are more likely to include policy recommendations compared to those from the mainland, which tend to be more conservative and have greater government involvement in co-authorship. ► The analysis reveals a cyclical trend in publication rates from Hong Kong related to changes in government administrations and funding priorities. Photo from Just_Super 15th Issue December 2025 Public Policy BULLETIN
2 Cautious Recommendations A notable finding is the cautious nature of policy recommendations within the Chinese literature. Chinese articles are less likely to even have policy recommendations, particularly when they receive government funding or have government co-authors. This result reflects mainland China’s tendency towards topdown agenda-setting in both research and policy planning. This leads to greater collaboration between academic scientists and government and government-sponsored research institutes, at the potential expense of less public transparency in the policy of discourse. coding approach, the researchers were able to capture nuanced characteristics often overlooked in automated analyses, such as the extent of government involvement in research and the nature of policy recommendations made within the studies. This methodology allows for a deeper understanding of how institutional factors, including political systems and funding arrangements, shape the science-policy interface in the context of environmental governance in the GBA. Findings and Analysis Institutional Influence The analysis reveals a stark contrast in contributions to air quality policy between Hong Kong and mainland China. English-language articles focused on Hong Kong demonstrate a significantly lower incidence of government co-authorship compared to their mainland counterparts. This relative independence from government influence coincides with researchers in Hong Kong proposing more innovative and forward-thinking policy recommendations. In contrast, studies from mainland China, which often feature greater government involvement, tend to adopt a more conservative approach. This dynamic suggests that the degree of studies published but also the boldness of recommendations made. Cyclical Publication Trends The study also reveals cyclical patterns in the publication rates of English-language articles from Hong Kong, which roughly correspond with changes in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government administrations. Peaks in publication activity often occur following transitions in political leadership of the Chief Executive, indicating that researchers may need to adapt their work to the funding and other priorities determined by each administration. This responsiveness highlights the interconnectedness between political cycles and research output, suggesting that the scientific community in Hong Kong not only tries to influence existing policies but also responds in turn to shifting political landscapes. Recommendations Foster Interdisciplinary Collaboration Establishing robust partnerships between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders can increase the scientific From research to policy recommendations: A scientometric case study of air quality management in the Greater Bay Area, China Public Policy BULLETIN
3 validity of policies for mitigating complex environmental problems like air pollution. This collaboration should include regular communication channels and joint initiatives that allow for the integration of scientific findings into policy formulation. Interdisciplinary teams can bring together diverse perspectives to address complex air quality issues more holistically. However, independence of scientific inquiry from government control is also vital for transparent and informed public policy discourse. Enhance Public Engagement Enhanced transparency creates space for civil society engagement to drive research directions that contribute to public policy formulation and prioritization. Making air pollution data publicly available is key to enhancing the ability of scientists and other civil society institutions to independently develop solutions. Additionally, transparent and participatory approaches that involve diverse perspectives also enhance policy innovation. Implement Comprehensive Policy Evaluation Frameworks Establishing formal systems for ex-post evaluation of environmental policies is vital. These frameworks should assess the effectiveness of implemented policies in achieving air quality goals and identify areas for improvement. Regular evaluations can provide critical feedback for ensuring that policies remain adaptive and responsive to emerging scientific evidence and public needs. Main Reference Jeffrey Chow, Tianle Liu, Coco Dijia Du, Rui Hu, Xun Wu. From research to policy recommendations: A scientometric case study of air quality management in the Greater Bay Area, China. Environmental Science & Policy, Volume 165, 2025, 104025, ISSN 1462-9011. From research to policy recommendations: A scientometric case study of air quality management in the Greater Bay Area, China Public Policy BULLETIN
4 Follow Us on Social Media Contact Us (852) 3469 2721 ppolpr@ust.hk The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology c/o Division of Public Policy (PPOL) Room 4611, Academic Building, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Jeffrey Chow is a Research Assistant Professor at the Division of Public Policy. His work focuses on the economics and policy concerning the environment, natural resources, sustainable development, climate change, and public health. He served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the HKUST Institute for Public Policy and Emerging Market Studies, Consultant at Environmental Resources Management, Lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, and Technical Program Manager at Conservation International Hong Kong. He is also a recipient of the Fulbright-Clinton Public Policy Fellowship and the United States Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results Fellowship. Coco DU is Research Assistant Professor at the Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change Thrust Area, Society Hub, HKUST (Guangzhou). She received her PhD from HKUST in Environmental Science, Policy and Management. Her research primarily focuses on environmental policy, green finance and regional innovation. As a Co-Investigator for the Strategic Public Policy Research Project “Developing a Green Finance Centre in Hong Kong in the Context of Green Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: Institutional Analysis and Policy Design”, She interesteds in applying research to address real-life policy problems. Rui HU is currently pursuing his PhD in Economic Geography at the Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University. He holds a Master's degree in Public Policy from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His research interests center on the digital and green (twin) transitions of regional industries, digital platforms, and labor geography, with a particular focus on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in China. From research to policy recommendations: A scientometric case study of air quality management in the Greater Bay Area, China Public Policy BULLETIN
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