Abstract In this study, an uncertain Gaussian diffusion-Hurwicz criterion (UGHC) model was developed for supporting analysis of industry-air quality control (IAC) system in ecologically fragile coal-dependent cities. Results of production reduction, excess emission amounts, benefits of different industries, penalties and system benefits under various credibility satisfaction levels (α levels and γ levels), wind velocities and optimism levels (λ levels) are generated. Results reveal that (a) whole industrial production would reduce for satisfying the environmental regulation under various credibility satisfaction levels. For example, production reduction amounts of cement manufacturing industry (CMI) would be [175, 185] × 103 ton/year, when γ varied from 0.6 to 0.9 (h = 1, t = 1). (b) Industrial reduction and excess pollution amounts would reduce with increasing of wind velocities. (c) On the process of optimizing the industrial scale and structure, fuzzy uncertainties from human judgments (e.g., air quality standards) have great influence on the satisfaction and violation risk of the system. The obtained results also illustrate that UGHC-IAC model can provide an effective linkage between the industrial production and pollution emission, which can help managers to adjust the current industrial structure with sustainable manner.