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Research on the Effects of Carbon Emissions from China’s Technology Transfer: Domestic and International Perspectives

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  • Ling Wei

    (The Institute for Sustainable Development, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao 999078, China)

  • Bing Zeng

    (School of Economics, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu 233030, China)

Abstract

Technology transfer represents a critical avenue for addressing the challenges associated with carbon emission reduction, warranting thorough investigation into the effects of both domestic and international technology transfer on carbon emissions. This study employs data mining techniques to extract comprehensive data on patent transfers across 334 prefecture-level cities in China from 2000 to 2021, analyzing the influence of technology transfer on carbon emissions from both domestic and international perspectives. The findings indicate that domestic technology transfer and international technology transfer significantly contribute to carbon emission reduction, with international technology transfer exerting a more substantial effect than its domestic counterpart. To mitigate endogeneity concerns, the study utilizes the shortest distance from each city to the telegraph lines established during the late Qing Dynasty as an instrumental variable and the resulting conclusions remain robust. Heterogeneity tests reveal significant regional disparities, particularly in areas located southeast and northwest of the Hu Huanyong line, as well as between regions inside and outside the five major urban agglomerations. The mechanisms underlying carbon reduction suggest that improvements in energy efficiency and upgrades in industrial structure serve as the primary pathways for carbon emission reductions resulting from both domestic and foreign technology transfers. These conclusions provide a theoretical foundation and empirical insights to facilitate the acceleration of technology flow within the context of high-quality development, particularly concerning environmental protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Ling Wei & Bing Zeng, 2025. "Research on the Effects of Carbon Emissions from China’s Technology Transfer: Domestic and International Perspectives," Economies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-22, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:13:y:2025:i:2:p:44-:d:1589164
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zoltan J. Acs & Luc Anselin & Attila Varga, 2008. "Patents and Innovation Counts as Measures of Regional Production of New Knowledge," Chapters, in: Entrepreneurship, Growth and Public Policy, chapter 11, pages 135-151, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    2. Wu, Linfei & Sun, Liwen & Qi, Peixiao & Ren, Xiangwei & Sun, Xiaoting, 2021. "Energy endowment, industrial structure upgrading, and CO2 emissions in China: Revisiting resource curse in the context of carbon emissions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
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