Air quality assessment based on R/S–SPA composite model: A case study of the Hebei province (China)

Air pollution has been the favorite subject of pollution prevention and control measures with the aim of sustainable development. Therefore, a composite model of rescaled range (R/S) and set pair analysis (SPA) was constructed to evaluate the air pollution situation based on the data from 2013 to 2020 in the Hebei province and then predict its air quality development trend. The results show that (1) the air pollution situation is severe, but the development trend is good and (2) the main pollutants are the core factors affecting air quality, and it is necessary to focus on intervention. The innovation of this paper lies on the combination of R/S and SPA to jointly predict the development trend of air quality in the Hebei province and ensure its scientific prediction. Meanwhile, this paper does not point out the continuation cycle of development state, which is the limitation of this paper. Finally, this study deepens the understanding of air quality evaluation, and the following countermeasures are formed: adherence to the problem- and goal-oriented approach to help the transformation of low-carbon development and enhancing the awareness of energy conservation and environmental protection to practice low-carbon lifestyle.