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Does Standardization Improve Carbon Emission Efficiency as Soft Infrastructure? Evidence from China

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  • Ying Sun

    (School of Economics and Management, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China)

  • Fengqin Liu

    (School of Law, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
    Graduate School, Sehan University, Noksaek-ro 1113, Samho-eup, Yeongam-gun 58447, Jeollanam-do, Korea)

  • Huaping Sun

    (School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
    School of Economics and Management, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China)

Abstract

Standardization in energy-saving and emission-reduction measures has become increasingly important. The impact of standardization on carbon-emission efficiency in China was explored by using panel data from 2002 to 2017. The results showed that standardization significantly improved China’s carbon-emission efficiency, which remained robust after a series of tests. Furthermore, the development of industry standards had a greater effect on the improvement of carbon-emission efficiency in the economically developed coastal areas, while the development of national standards significantly promoted the improvement of carbon-emission efficiency in the inland areas. An assessment of the impact mechanism demonstrated that standardization affects carbon-emission efficiency through technological progress, industrial modernization, and economies of scale. We compared our findings with the existing literature regarding the governance of a low-carbon economy; we also considered the subsequent policy implications of our findings in terms of sustainable economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Ying Sun & Fengqin Liu & Huaping Sun, 2022. "Does Standardization Improve Carbon Emission Efficiency as Soft Infrastructure? Evidence from China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:6:p:2300-:d:776261
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