Abstract: Based on the environmental kuznets curve (EKC) theory, this paper makes use of the sample data from the six prefecture-level cities (Nanchang, Jingdezhen, Jiujiang, Xinyu, Yintan, and Fuzhou) in the Poyang Lake Ecological Economic Zone during 2000-2011 to study the curve characteristics and the formation reasons between per capita GDP, the level of industrial “three wastes” emission and the pollution composite index. The results show that, according to the environmental kuznets curve indicated by the pollution composite index, the environmental kuznets curve of Nanchang presents a linear monotone increasing, namely, the economic growth is accompanied with deteriorating environment. The environmental kuznets curve of Jingdezhen shows a classic inverted U type, namely, the environment follows the economic growth along the path of first deteriorating, and then improveing. While the kuznets curves of Jiujiang, Xinyu, Yingtan and Fuzhou present the N type, namely, the environment follows the economic growth along the path of “first deteriorating, then improveing, and then deteriorating again”.

Key words: the ecological economic zone of Poyang lake; the environmental kuznets curve (EKC); industrial “three wastes” emission; pollution composite index