Fintech's role in carbon emission efficiency: dynamic spatial analysis.

Against the backdrop of digitization and global warming, fintech plays a crucial role in accelerating the growth of green finance, driving innovation in the financial industry, and catalyzing the low-carbon transformation of economic activities. This paper utilizes city panel data from 2007 to 2019 to examine the direct impact of fintech on carbon emission efficiency (CEE), the transmission channels of green technological innovation and green finance, and the spatial spillover effects, using dynamic panel models, mediation effect models, and dynamic spatial Durbin models (SDM). The study finds that: (i) Fintech significantly improves CEE, and this conclusion remains robust after accounting for potential endogeneity issues and conducting robustness tests. (ii) Mechanism analysis reveals that green finance and green technological innovation are the primary channels through which fintech influences CEE. (iii) Results from the dynamic SDM model indicate that fintech has a significant positive spatial spillover effect on CEE, with the long-term spillover effect being smaller than the short-term spillover effect. (iv) Heterogeneity analysis reveals that fintech's improvement effect on CEE is mainly evident in eastern regions, emerging first-tier and first-tier cities, and non-resource-based cities. Our research provides new insights for policymakers on achieving China's dual-carbon goals through the promotion of fintech development, green finance, and green technological innovation. It also aids in the coordinated development of fintech among cities and the formulation of differentiated policies, providing a theoretical foundation and empirical support for future research.

Digital economy and green transformation of regional industries: New insights from sustainability.

Studying the impact of the digital economy on carbon emissions in the distribution industry is of great significance for realizing sustainable development goals and coping with climate change. This study finds that increasing the level of digital economy development can reduce the carbon emission intensity of the circulation industry through fixed-effects modeling. Moreover, the effect is different in different geographic regions, and the improvement of the digital economy development level in the east and central regions can significantly reduce the carbon emission intensity of the distribution industry. The digital economy can simultaneously reduce the carbon emission intensity of the circulation industry by reducing the degree of labor factor mismatch in the circulation industry and improving the regional green innovation capacity. Therefore, in order to promote the green development of the distribution industry, it is also necessary to make efforts to improve the construction of network infrastructure, accelerate the process of research and development and cultivation of green technology, and break down the barriers of cross-regional mobility of talents.

A pathway to sustainable development in China: The impact of local higher education expenditure on green total factor productivity.

With the global warming crisis looming, the question of how to advance green total factor productivity (GTFP) has become an important concern confronting many developing countries. Although existing studies have demonstrated that total human capital can improve GTFP, the research has neglected to consider the influence of local higher education expenditure (LHEE), and no research has examined how LHEE spatially affect GTFP. Therefore, based on spatial economics theory, this study explores the spatial autocorrelation of LHEE and GTFP in China's 30 provinces from 2004 to 2021, employing a spatial Durbin model to analyze the spillover effect and influence mechanism of LHEE on GTFP. The results reveal that LHEE and GTFP exhibit positive global spatial autocorrelation. LHEE primarily improves GTFP and its subcomponents through spillover effects. The positive spillover effects in the three regions of China are significantly higher than the direct effects, whereas the direct effects in the eastern and central regions are positive but insignificant. Furthermore, LHEE promotes GTFP by advancing green technological innovation. The findings provide valuable insights to help policymakers address sustainable development goal 4 and develop synergistic regional GTFP growth policies to establish sustainable societies worldwide.

Resilient green infrastructure: Navigating environmental resistance for sustainable development, social mobility in climate change policy.

This study explores the complex dynamics of environmental resistance, policy stability, skill development, and green initiatives in light of the growing worldwide concerns about climate change. COP27 and the G20 Summit show that as microcosm of the global discourse, provides a unique opportunity to study it. This research sought to thoroughly investigate, the links among green infrastructure, green technological innovation, policy stability, skill development, and their combined effects on social mobility and climate change (Case-1), it also discusses the global talk on climate change in COP27 and G20 (Case-2). In Case-1 data were analyzed through the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) by adopting a quantitative approach, and in Case-2 data were analyzed using theme analysis by applying a qualitative approach. Using a mixed-method research approach, the study surveyed 375 locals living close to the CPEC corridor quantitatively and interviewed ten important stakeholders, including elected officials, environmental activists, and community leaders, qualitatively. The survey highlighted the complex perspectives and experiences of citizens with green programs and environmental legislation in the CPEC zone. The study revealed the perceptions and experiences of residents regarding green initiatives and environmental policies within the CPEC region. Key stakeholders provided valuable insights into policy formulation and ongoing environmental sustainability efforts. The analysis unveiled intricate relationships between green infrastructure, technological innovation, policy stability, skill development, and their collective impact on climate change and social mobility. Notably, the study identified a critical research gap in understanding these dynamics within regions undergoing substantial economic development. Policy formulation and continuing environmental sustainability efforts were aided by key stakeholders' ideas. Green infrastructure, technological innovation, policy stability, skill development, and their overall influence on climate change and social mobility were all examined. Notably, the study found a critical research vacuum in understanding these processes inside rapidly developing economies. Policymakers, environmental groups, and communities managing the fine line between economic success and environmental responsibility will find great value in the findings. This study is unique because it examines issues on climate change from a local perspective in a region that is rapidly developing economically, it also adds value to the climate change challenges on the global level. This study presents a substantial theoretical contribution by examining the intricate interactions among environmental opposition, policy stability, skill development, and green initiatives within the CPEC against the backdrop of global climate change concerns.

The impact of intellectual property demonstration policies on carbon emission efficiency.

Confronted with the concurrent challenges of economic advancement and environmental management, this study explores whether implementing Intellectual Property Demonstration Policies (IPDP) can be a covert force in enhancing carbon emission efficiency. Utilizing panel data from 280 prefecture-level cities in China over the period 2007-2019, we employ a quasi-natural experimental design, incorporating multiple-period difference-in-differences models, mediation effect models, and spatial Durbin difference-in-differences models to assess the impacts of IPDP on carbon emission efficiency, its mechanisms of action, and its spatial spillover effects. The regression results of the multi-period difference-in-differences model reveal a statistically significant enhancement in carbon emission efficiency due to IPDP, with an impact coefficient of 0.044. Through heterogeneity tests, it is observed that the influence of IPDP on carbon emission efficiency varies based on regional characteristics, carbon emission levels, and the extent of marketization. The mediation effect model demonstrates that IPDP enhances carbon emission efficiency by fostering green technological innovation and facilitating the transformation of industrial structures. Furthermore, the spatial Durbin difference-in-differences model illustrates that IPDP positively influences the carbon emission efficiency of neighboring regions, indicating favorable spatial spillover effects. Notably, the indirect effect coefficients in the geographical distance matrix, economic distance matrix, and economic-geographical nested matrix are calculated as 0.673, 0.250, and 0.386, respectively. These findings offer compelling theoretical and empirical support for strengthening the intellectual property framework to optimize its environmental impact.

Impact analysis of digital trade on carbon emissions from the perspectives of supply and demand.

Amidst the escalating challenge of global climate change, it is imperative to further explore whether digital trade, as an emerging element in the global development landscape, can reduce carbon emissions and achieve sustainable development. This study draws upon panel data encompassing 30 provinces and municipalities in China spanning the years 2013 to 2021. By establishing an index system to gauge regional digital trade development levels, the article examines the impact mechanism and spillover effects of digital trade on carbon reduction from both the supply (enterprises) and demand (residents) perspectives. The research results show that: (1) Digital trade can effectively promote regional carbon reduction, with a more pronounced effect in China's central and western regions and lower carbon emissions regions. (2) Digital trade can incentivize green innovation by enterprises and improve residents' consumption behavior, thereby reducing carbon emissions. (3) Digital trade has spillover effect on carbon emissions, and this "neighborhood effect" is greater than the "local effect". Digital trade provides strong support for carbon reduction and sustainable development and also provides a strategic direction for government policy formulation.

Digital inclusive finance, green technological innovation, and carbon emissions from a spatial perspective.

Based on the panel data of 276 prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2020, this study explores the impact of digital inclusive finance (DIF) on carbon emissions and the intrinsic mechanism of green technological innovation from a spatial perspective by constructing a spatial econometric model, a mediating effect model, and a threshold model. The results show that DIF significantly inhibits carbon emissions, exhibiting a spatial spillover effect. The transmission mechanism from a spatial perspective shows that green technological innovation plays a partial mediating role between DIF and carbon emissions, with the mediating effect accounting for approximately 59.47%. The heterogeneity analysis suggests that the impact of DIF on the reduction of carbon emissions is more pronounced in large and medium-sized cities and eastern regions. Further discussion reveals that the carbon reduction effect of DIF is also influenced by green technological innovation and industrial structure upgrading, showing threshold effects with marginal decreases and gradual increases, respectively.

Innovation or introduction? Impacts of the low-carbon city pilot policy on the pathways toward green technology progress.

To examine whether the low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) policy influences the green technology innovation (GTI) or embodied technology introduction (ETI), two different pathways to green technology progress, in manufacturing enterprises in China, this study employs a staggered difference-in-difference (DID) model to evaluate the effects of the policy. The findings suggest that the LCCP policy has stimulated an increase in the quantity of GTI and ETI among enterprises, but reduced the quality of innovation. Large, high-carbon-intensity, and state-owned enterprises are more likely to engage in GTI, while small, low-carbon-intensity, and non-state-owned enterprises prefer ETI. The policy is effective in alleviating financing constraints and improving environmental concerns. Both GTI and ETI play a crucial role in economic performance, while the latter also promotes environmental and ESG performance. Accordingly, we recommend establishing a policy-compatible evaluation system, strengthening mandatory and incentive measures, and cultivating a green innovation ecosystem, etc., to improve the performance of the LCCP policy.

The impact of the energy-consuming right trading system on corporate environmental performance: Based on empirical evidence from panel data of industrial enterprises listed in pilot regions.

The energy-consuming right trading system (ECRTS) is a significant institutional innovation in China to address the increasingly severe energy crisis and environmental issues. Identifying the policy effects of energy consumption rights on corporate environmental performance (CEP) is conducive to achieving a win-win situation for China's economic growth and carbon neutrality. This study aims to analyze the impact of energy-consuming right trading system on corporate environmental performance and provide empirical evidence and policy implications for the full implementation of future policies. Using data from Chinese listed industrial enterprises from 2012 to 2019 and adopting the difference-in-differences method and mediation analysis, we empirically analyze the policy effects of energy-consuming right trading system. We find that the energy-consuming right trading system significantly promotes the improvement of corporate environmental performance, and the conclusion remains valid after a series of robustness tests. Further mechanism examinations indicate that the system mainly enhances environmental performance by affecting corporate green technological innovation. Heterogeneity tests suggest that the energy-consuming right trading system has a stronger impact on companies in economically developed regions, non-state-owned enterprises, and those with higher asset flexibility. Our research results can aid in the green transformation of enterprises and provide practical evidence for China to accelerate the comprehensive construction of the energy consumption rights trading market.

Revisiting the nexus between digital trade, green technological innovation, and environmental sustainability in BRICS economies.

After the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019, many countries started progressing towards race to zero targets. The intricate framework of digitalization and green technologies has the potential to persuade governments to implement policies that promote a zero-carbon economy, i.e., green economy. Hence, this study determines the effect of digital trade (DGT) and green technological innovation (GTI) on environmental sustainability (ENS) by considering the role of renewable energy consumption (REC), globalization (GLOB), and economic growth (EG). The study measured ENS by taking into account three proxy variables, i.e., ecological footprint (EF), carbon dioxide emission (CO2e), and methane emissions (CH4e). POLS and PMG-ARDL techniques are applied to the panel data of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) from 2000 to 2019. Panel Quantile Regression (PQR) along with AMG and CCEMG estimators is applied hereafter for checking the robustness of the empirical results. The long-run empirical outcomes show the positive association of DGT, GTI, REC, and GLOB with ENS. Lastly, this study inscribed the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and highlights policy implications and governmental measures to ensure environmental sustainability in BRICS economies.

The effect of green fiscal policy on green technological innovation: evidence from energy saving and emission reduction fiscal policy.

The "National Comprehensive demonstration of Energy Saving and Emission Reduction Fiscal Policy" (ESER policy) is a green fiscal policy to facilitate China's green sustainable development. Green sustainable development is facilitated by green technological innovation. Thus, evaluating the influence of the ESER policy on green technological innovation is essential. This study employs the difference-in-differences model to assess the ESER policy effects. The findings suggest that the ESER policy facilitates green technological innovation, but the policy effect has inhibited green technology innovation in neighboring cities. Mechanism analysis indicates that this policy effect is realized through increasing scientific research investment intensity and promoting industrial structure upgrading. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that this policy is effective in facilitating green technological innovation when performed in eastern, non-old industrial base, non-resource-based, and high green innovation level cities. In addition, the ESER policy implemented in conjunction with innovation policy can be more effective in promoting green technological innovation. These results provide valuable insights for improving the ESER policy and offer helpful guidelines for green fiscal policymaking in other countries.

Influence of digital finance on export green-sophistication.

The export green-sophistication (EGS) is not only an important engine for the high-quality development of China's economy but also the external embodiment of the core international competitiveness and the key to resisting external competition and realizing the upgrade of the value chain. Using the database of China's digital finance development, China's A-share listed enterprises, and the China Customs database, we test the relationship between digital finance (DF) and the EGS of enterprises. It shows that DF significantly promotes listed enterprises' EGS, and compared to the depth of use of DF and digitization degree of DF, the promotion effect of coverage breadth of DF is the most significant. The heterogeneity analysis shows that the positive effect is more conspicuous for promoting the EGS in private enterprises, general trade enterprises, central and western regions' enterprises, and enterprises exporting to developed countries. The mechanism test finds that alleviating financing constraints and promoting green technological innovation are the two channels for DF to promote the enterprises' EGS. This study not only advances the understanding of the economic effects of DF but also implies the green transformation of China's exports.

Studying financial development with low-carbon architecture development and green technological innovation: sustaining SDG-9.

In order to accomplish Sustainable Growth Goal 9, this research analyzes in detail how green technological innovation, low-carbon architectural improvement, and more significant financial growth all work together to reach the goal. This research meticulously integrates secondary data from reputable sources to examine the relationship between economic growth, technological innovation in the built environment, and environmental sustainability from 1994 to 2019. For economic insights, the World Bank's World Development Indicators is a go-to resource, while Yale University's Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a go-to for environmental metrics. Our research is based on this synthesis of multi-dimensional data, which enables an in-depth investigation of the interplay between financial development, sustainable architecture, and technical progress toward SDG-9. This research employs quantitative and qualitative methodologies to shed light on the intricate interaction between these elements, making it useful for policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders dedicated to directing sustainable development paths.

Does the digital economy empower the green development of foreign trade?

The digital economy has become a new driving force for China's economic development in recent years, and it may contribute to solving the corresponding problems of resource and environmental pressure. Therefore, this study strives to explore whether the digital economy contributes to the green development of foreign trade. First, this study measures the digital economy development in China. Second, this study presents a list of environmental and polluting products and examines the impact of digital economy development on exports of representative products based on an extended gravity model. The main findings are as follows. First, the digital economy significantly promotes the green development of foreign trade. Second, the signing of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and the income level of importing countries and regions strengthen the role of the digital economy in promoting the green development of foreign trade. Third, the digital economy promotes the green development of foreign trade through green technological innovation. Finally, some policy implications are proposed based on the findings of this study.

Green financing and technological innovation influence on e-commerce industry green environment.

The urgent need to address environmental concerns has led to the adoption of green production targets by businesses worldwide. This paper explores the influence of green financing and technological innovation on green e-commerce as companies seek to achieve these targets. The study uses a qualitative research design, employing semi-structured interviews with industry experts to gather data. The findings indicate that green financing has a significant positive effect on adopting green production practices and implementing green technological innovations, positively impacting green e-commerce. To reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and promote long-term economic development, COP 26's guiding principles emphasize the need for robust institutions and environmentally responsible technology innovation. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and associated factors will be analyzed in this research for numerous South Asian nations from 1995 to 2020. Institutional and green technological improvements, alternative energy sources, more accessible commerce, population growth, and economic growth are all examples of such factors. With the possibility of residual cross-sectional dependency and heterogeneity, the research used second-generation panel methodologies to investigate the interrelationships between the variables. Switching to renewable energy sources and implementing environmentally friendly technology innovations have both been shown to cut CO2 emissions by an empirically supported 0.084% and 0.054%, respectively. There is a 0.215 percentage point deterioration in environmental quality due to poor institutional quality, a growing population, increased trade openness, and a thriving economy. The study concludes that achieving green production targets depend on the availability of green financing and the adoption of green technological innovations in the e-commerce industry. This paper provides insights for policymakers, businesses, and investors interested in promoting sustainable business practices and the achievement of green production targets.

Impact of digital trade on regional carbon emissions.

In the context of the dual carbon targets, digital trade brings new impetus to China's economic development to achieve low-carbon emission reduction. This article uses panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020, and uses a two-way fixed effect model to empirically investigate the impact of digital trade development on regional carbon emissions and its heterogeneity. The results show that the development of digital trade significantly reduces regional carbon emissions, and the conclusion is still valid after conducting the robustness tests. Digital trade can reduce regional carbon emissions by exploiting its effects of expanding economic scale, upgrading industrial structure, and promoting green technology innovation. In addition, the carbon reduction effect of digital trade varies due to differences in regions, trade openness, and carbon emission intensity. The carbon reduction effect of digital trade in central and western regions is larger than that in eastern regions, and the effect in inland regions is greater than that in coastal regions. As the degree of trade liberalization increases and carbon intensity decreases, the carbon reduction effect of digital trade will also weaken. The research conclusions have profound practical significance for achieving the carbon neutrality target, effectively addressing climate change, and promoting high-quality economic development.

The impact of China's emission trading scheme policy on enterprise green technological innovation quality: evidence from eight high-carbon emission industries.

Emission trading scheme (ETS) is one of the most important ways to mitigate carbon emissions. As the largest carbon emitter in the world, China implemented ETS policy in 2013. Whether ETS policy can boost enterprise green technological innovation (GTI) quality in China remains to be discussed after reviewing the previous studies. All 318 A-share listed enterprises of China's eight high-carbon emission industries from 2008 to 2021 are chosen to investigate the influence of the ETS policy on enterprise GTI quality by the difference-in-difference (DID) method. Furthermore, heterogeneous effects of ETS policy on the quality of enterprise GTI are analyzed from three aspects: enterprise life cycle, corporate environmental management, and industry classification. The findings indicate that China's ETS policy has a positive influence on the quality of GTI in eight high-carbon emission industries. Further heterogeneity analysis demonstrates (1) China's ETS policy has varying effects on the eight high-carbon emission industries; (2) China's ETS policy can improve GTI quality of enterprises in the maturity stage of their life cycle, but not for those in their growth stage. (3) Comparing the effect of China's ETS policy, GTI quality of enterprises with higher environmental management score is stimulated, while GTI quality of those with lower score is not.

Research on the Effect of Digital Economy on Carbon Emissions under the Background of "Double Carbon".

(1) Background: In light of the global economy's digitalization and the "double carbon" target constraint, the digital economy is essential to fostering scientific and technological innovation, green growth, and lowering energy emissions. (2) Methods: This paper measures the digital economic index and carbon emission intensity and analyzes their characteristics in spatial and temporal dimensions using 282 Chinese urban panel data by improving various statistical methods of panel data, such as the entropy method, fixed effect model, multi-period DID model, moderating effect model and intermediary effect model. This paper examines the extent and mechanism of the digital economy's impact on urban carbon emissions. (3) Results: During the sample period, the overall trend of the digital economy in China was one of constant growth, showing an unbalanced distribution pattern of "high in the eastern regions, lower in the central regions and lowest in the western regions" in the spatial dimension. Carbon emissions can be significantly decreased by the digital economy, which has a dynamic effect and an inverted U-shaped trend in its influence. The digital economy plays a significant role in reducing carbon emissions through the rational layout of industrial structures. The transmission mechanisms for the digital economy's goal of reducing carbon emissions include environmental regulation and green technology innovation. (4) Conclusion: The research findings provide a reference for multiple decision makers to better formulate carbon emission policies and realize carbon emission decrease in the digital economy.

Research on the impact mechanism of enterprise green technology innovation based on the analysis framework of theory of planned behavior: evidence from heavily polluting listed enterprises in China.

Under the background of China's ecological civilization construction, enterprises green technology innovation (GTI) has attracted more and more attention. In this paper, the internal factors and external factors, subjective factors, and objective factors of each relevant subject are comprehensively considered, and the analysis framework of the impact mechanism of enterprise GTI is constructed. Then, taking 211 heavily polluting listed enterprises in China from 2010 to 2019 as the sample, integrating the mediating effect model and the moderating effect model, this paper empirically discusses the relationships among corporate endowments, executive characteristics, and enterprise GTI. The results demonstrate that corporate endowments have a positive impact on GTI, and executive characteristics act on GTI as a mediating variable during the impact process; market forces respectively play a weakening and strengthening role in moderating the main effect and the intermediate effect; government intervention and social background have positive moderating effects on the relationship between executive characteristics and GTI; the three moderating variables have a remarkable joint-moderating effect on the relationships between executive characteristics and GTI.

The Relationship between Environmental Regulation, Green-Technology Innovation and Green Total-Factor Productivity-Evidence from 279 Cities in China.

This paper employs the SBM-DDF method to measure the index of green total-factor productivity (GTFP), based on the panel data of 279 prefecture-level cities in China from 2007 to 2019, and constructs a spatial Durbin model (SDM) and a threshold effect to empirically test the effects of dual environmental-regulations and green technological innovation on GTFP. The results are as follows: (1) the SDM supports a nonlinear contribution of dual environmental-regulations spillover to GTFP. The relationship between formal environmental-regulation and GTFP is an inverted U-shape, while a U-shaped nonlinear relationship is found between informal environmental regulation and GTFP. (2) Green technology innovation has a significant negative moderating effect on the process of dual environmental-regulations affecting GTFP in local regions, but a positive moderating effect on informal environmental regulation in neighboring regions. (3) There is a significant green technology innovation threshold effect of dual environmental-regulations affecting GTFP. Specifically, the promotion effect of dual environmental-regulations on GFFP gradually increases as the level of green technology innovation increases.