Study on the coordinated development of economy, environment and resource in coal-based areas in Shanxi Province in China: Based on the multi-objective optimization model

Coal-based areas face resource depletion, environmental pollution, ecological damage, and other coordinated economic and social pressures. Based on the theory of policy network and the interest interaction in the policy network of the stakeholders, the paper puts forward the development goals of economic growth maximization, environmental pollution minimization and coal resource consumption minimization. Utilizing the data of the input-output table in Shanxi in 2007 and the China Environment Statistics Yearbook in 2008 and the multi-objective optimization model, this paper designs and assesses the green development policies effects, taking Shanxi province as the case. The results are that: (1) Three stakeholders of coordinated development in coal-based regions are the government, coal enterprises and the residents of the mine area. (2) The common goals of the three stakeholders are the maximization of industry output value, the minimization of pollutant discharge, and the minimization of coal consumption. (3) The research shows the coal industry will still be the main industry in Shanxi in 2015–2020. According to the conclusions, the paper puts forward to pay attention to the government interests, coal enterprises and residents of the mining area. Furthermore, coal exploitation and utilization should be planned scientifically, the trend of the coal market and price fluctuations should be analyzed, and the appropriate tax rate should be formulated. •A multi-objective optimization model is built.•Three stakeholders are the government, coal enterprises and the residents.•The coal industry will still be the main pillar industry in Shanxi.