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Impact of Low-carbon City Construction on Financing, Investment, and Total Factor Productivity of Energy-intensive Enterprises

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  • Wen Huwei
  • Chen Shuai
  • Lee Chien-Chiang

Abstract

Faced with the global climate change, as a major greenhouse gas emitter, China launched a pilot policy on low-carbon city construction since 2010. Few studies have discussed how climate policies affect the investment and financing behavior of energy-intensive enterprises. Based on the micro data of A-share listed enterprises in China’s energy-intensive industries, this study aims to assess the productivity effect of low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) policy and investigates the mechanism of financing and investment using the difference-in-difference method. Empirical results provide evidence that the LCCP policy has significantly improved the total factor productivity of energy-intensive enterprises. In terms of the mechanisms, the LCCP policy has increased the supply of bank credit to enterprises and encouraged their long-term investment in fixed assets and R&D activities. The productivity effect of the LCCP policy is greater for state-owned enterprises and enterprises with political connection. Urban human capital, industrial agglomeration, and resource endowment contribute to the productivity effect of LCCP policy for enterprises in the energy-intensive industries. The findings show that the LCCP is an effective comprehensive policy to promote the high-quality development of energy-intensive industries, and the findings also provide enlightenment for enacting better climate transition policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Wen Huwei & Chen Shuai & Lee Chien-Chiang, 2023. "Impact of Low-carbon City Construction on Financing, Investment, and Total Factor Productivity of Energy-intensive Enterprises," The Energy Journal, , vol. 44(2), pages 79-102, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:enejou:v:44:y:2023:i:2:p:79-102
    DOI: 10.5547/01956574.44.2.hwen
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    8. Yaning Song & Chong Zhuo & Yuyang Deng, 2025. "Does the Low-Carbon City Pilot Promote Household Energy Transition in China?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-25, March.
    9. Jules Pretty & Dennis Garrity & Hemant Kumar Badola & Mike Barrett & Cornelia Butler Flora & Catherine Cameron & Natasha Grist & Leanne Hepburn & Heather Hilburn & Amy Isham & Erik Jacobi & Rattan Lal, 2025. "How the Concept of “Regenerative Good Growth” Could Help Increase Public and Policy Engagement and Speed Transitions to Net Zero and Nature Recovery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-29, January.

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