<p>Reducing poverty and protecting the environment are two major objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, recent studies have highlighted a potential conflict between efforts to achieve these two goals. This study examines the possible trade-off between China’s poverty alleviation policies and environmental degradation, specifically focusing on PM2.5 pollution in impoverished counties. Utilizing sample data from 2008 to 2016 and taking the significant policy milestone in 2012 as a key reference point, we analyzed the environmental effects of poverty alleviation policies through a difference-in-differences (DID) model. The research findings are as follows: (a)The implementation of poverty alleviation policies has seriously exacerbated environmental pollution in impoverished counties, with the average environmental pollution in selected impoverished counties being 0.010 units higher than that in non-impoverished counties. (b) The policy of impoverished counties has led to an increase in PM_2.5 emissions by promoting fertilizer application and agricultural mechanization rates. In addition, we found that the policy of impoverished counties promotes the development of the secondary industry, resulting in an increase in PM_2.5 emissions in the selected impoverished counties. This research provides valuable insights for coordinating China’s poverty alleviation policies, emission reduction targets, and economic development, and offers lessons for sustainable development and future paths for other emerging economies.</p>