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The Effects of the Low-Carbon Pilot City Program on Green Innovation: Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Jinchao Huang

    (Renmin Business School, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Shuang Meng

    (School of International Trade and Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Jiajie Yu

    (Business School, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of the low-carbon pilot city program in promoting green innovation outcomes in China. Using a time-varying difference-in-differences model based on 277 cities from 2003 to 2019, this study finds that the implementation of the low-carbon pilot city program has a positive and significant impact on city-level green innovation outcomes. The policy effect is heterogeneous across different urban infrastructure characteristics, including geographic location, city scale, factor endowment, carbon emission intensity, and ICT infrastructure. This study provides important insights into the effectiveness of low-carbon policies in promoting green innovation and has important implications for policymakers and practitioners who are interested in promoting sustainable development in emerging economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinchao Huang & Shuang Meng & Jiajie Yu, 2023. "The Effects of the Low-Carbon Pilot City Program on Green Innovation: Evidence from China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-26, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:8:p:1639-:d:1221596
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhao, Kai & Gao, Yu & Liu, Xiaoman, 2025. "The impact of environmental regulation on industrial structure upgrading: A case study of low carbon city pilot policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    2. Liu, Kui & Huang, Tao & Xia, Zheyi & Xia, Xingneng & Wu, Rongrong, 2025. "The impact assessment of low-carbon city pilot policy on urban green innovation: A batch-time heterogeneity perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PB).
    3. Chang Gao & Yueyang Du & Yuhao Zhao & Yingqiao Jia & Jiansheng Wu, 2024. "Response of Low Carbon Level to Transportation Efficiency in Megacities: A Case Study of Beijing, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-21, July.

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