Exploring the impact of green innovation on carbon emission intensity in Chinese metropolitan areas

Abstract

Green innovation has risen to prominence as a critical instrument in addressing economic downturns and reducing carbon emissions (CEs) amidst the ongoing global climate crisis. While its impact on carbon emissions has drawn considerable research attention, the specific role it plays within metropolitan landscapes remains underexplored. In an endeavor to bridge this gap, this study explored the impact of green innovation (GI) on carbon emission intensity (CEI) across 34 Chinese metropolitan areas (MAs) from 2010 to 2019, leveraging the nuanced analysis afforded by spatial econometrics. Our findings elucidated a U-shaped trajectory delineating the relationship between GI and CEI in these MAs. Initially, an increase in GI was correlated with a decline in CEI, before witnessing an upswing at a later stage. We further discerned that urban integration and environmental regulation can potentiate the positive influences of GI on reducing CEI. Intriguingly, our research unveiled a disparity in the influence exerted by GI in different MAs: while both mature and developing MAs followed the aforementioned U-shaped pattern, cultivated MAs exhibited a negative linear correlation. By delineating these intricate dynamics, this study not only injects fresh perspectives into the discourse on GI’s impact on CEs, but also augments the understanding of CE landscapes in MAs.