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The Road to Low Carbon: Can the Opening of High-Speed Railway Reduce the Level of Urban Carbon Emissions?

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  • Heng Li

    (School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China)

  • Wei Wang

    (Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Beijing 100710, China
    School of Economics, Gansu University of Political Science and Law, Lanzhou 730070, China)

Abstract

Adhering to green and low-carbon development is the only way to achieve sustainable economic development in China. High-speed railway (HSR) has the advantages of low energy consumption and low pollution, which is representative of the high-quality development of China’s transportation industry. Based on the panel data of 285 cities in China from 2004 to 2017, this paper explores the impact of HSR development on CO 2 emissions using a difference-in-difference model. The results show that the opening of HSR can effectively reduce the level of urban CO 2 emissions. After the endogeneity test and the robustness test, this core conclusion is still valid. The mechanism test confirms that the opening of HSR can reduce the level of urban carbon emissions by promoting the upgrading of industrial structures and improving the level of green technology innovation. Based on empirical results, this paper proposes that we should make rational use of the positive externalities of the HSR network to promote green development, intensive development, and innovative development.

Suggested Citation

  • Heng Li & Wei Wang, 2022. "The Road to Low Carbon: Can the Opening of High-Speed Railway Reduce the Level of Urban Carbon Emissions?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:414-:d:1016075
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sijin Chen, & Ning Li,, 2024. "From carbon-intensive to mineral resources: Barriers and motivators for embracing natural resource in the transition process," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).

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