The Spatial Spillover Effect of Environmental Regulation and Technological Innovation on Industrial Carbon Productivity in China: A Two-Dimensional Structural Heterogeneity Analysis

Environmental regulation and technological innovation are two crucial factors for improving industrial carbon productivity. However, prior research ignored the spatial spillover effects of these factors, and heterogeneity caused by industrialization level and resource dependence did not acquire attention either. Thus, we use the STIRPAT model and spatial panel Durbin model to study the spatial spillover effects of two independent variables. Then, a two-dimensional structural heterogeneity analysis is conducted according to the industrialization level and resource dependence. The results are as follows: improving environmental regulation and technological innovation is good for industrial carbon productivity. Simultaneously, there are obvious regional differences under two-dimensional structural heterogeneity. From the perspective of space, industrial carbon productivity has high spatial autocorrelation, and it can be enhanced through local environmental legislation, as well as technological innovation. Environmental regulation’s spatial spillover impact inhibits the improvement of industrial carbon productivity in surrounding provinces, resulting in a pollution haven effect. However, there is no evident regional spillover effect of technological innovation. Therefore, we provided new perspectives from spatial spillover and structural heterogeneity to optimize low-carbon policies.