Fintech, green imports, technology, and FDI inflow: their role in CO2 emissions reduction and the path to COP26: a comparative analysis of China.

Abstract

This study uses a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model to investigate the relationships between CO2 emissions, green energy imports, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow, and financial technology (fintech) in China. It examines both short- and long-term asymmetries, reflecting the positive and negative effects of variables of interest on CO2 emissions. The results indicate that increasing fintech and green energy imports will decrease environmental pollution, as fintech and green technology negatively affect CO2 emissions in a positive shock and have positive effects in a negative shock. We also found that imports negatively affected CO2 emissions in the context of green energy imports. However, FDI inflows have conflicting outcomes, being positively beneficial during positive shocks and adversely significant during negative shocks. Moreover, green energy imports led to a considerable increase in CO2 emissions during negative shocks. These findings highlight the importance of considering economic factors when developing environmental regulations. Policy recommendations for COP26 include fostering sustainable fintech innovation, investing in green technology research, bolstering renewable energy imports, and improving climate legislation to build a greener and more sustainable future for China.