Creation or crowding out? A “two-eight split” phenomenon in the employment effects of the carbon trading policy in China

Abstract

Balancing environmental protection and economic development is critical in climate policy-making. The carbon trading policy is an important market-based climate strategy that aids in achieving the national carbon neutrality goals. However, empirical evidence at the industry level has not yet demonstrated whether there is an employment dividend. In this study, we constructed a theoretical framework to analyze the employment effects of carbon trading policies. We quantitatively evaluated the employment effects of policies in the pilot region using the differences-in-differences model. And we considered and explained the adjustment paths of employment dividends from the industry-level onwards. We found a “two-eight split” phenomenon in the employment effects of the carbon trading policy in China—the overall employment level of the region increases while employment in some regulated industries is inspired and it is hindered in others, shifting to other regulated industries and non-regulated regions. The empirical results revealed the following points. (1) After controlling economic and demographic factors, carbon trading policies can bring significant employment dividends to pilot areas. (2) While implementing such policies can improve the employment level of the paper industry, they can also seriously impact the employment development of the petrochemical and building materials industries. (3) Both energy consumption and technology levels effectively dampen the policy's negative employment effects and promote employment in the pilot areas. (4) The high carbon price levels within the range of carbon price fluctuation have inhibited the employment levels of the pilot industries. However, it still promoted the overall employment levels of the pilot areas through the employment transfer effect. As future carbon prices increase, the policy's regional employment dividend may decrease or disappear. Our findings illustrate the employment effect of industry-level carbon trading policies and provide a reference for improving carbon market construction.