Abstract
Technological innovation is increasingly becoming an important way to develop a low-carbon economy. Recently, exploring the driving path of low-carbon development has become the hot topic, however, the role of energy consumption in the carbon-reduction effect of technological innovation has been ignored. Based on China's provincial-level panel data from 2005 to 2016, this paper investigates the effect of technological innovation on energy saving and carbon emissions reduction and the role of energy consumption in the influencing process by using linear regression model, mediating effect model and threshold regression model. The results show that technological innovation has effectively promoted energy saving and carbon emissions reduction in China, with different effect coefficients between the three areas of China. Moreover, energy consumption plays a significant partial mediating role in the effect of technological innovation on carbon emissions reduction. Finally, the effect of technological innovation on carbon emissions is limited by energy consumption. Low energy consumption significantly promotes a reduction in carbon emissions through technological innovation. Once energy consumption exceeds a critical level, the promoting effect of technological innovation on carbon emissions reduction will turn into the inhibiting effect. Based on these findings, some policy recommendations are put forward to accelerate the low-carbon transformation of the economy.
Highlights
Energy saving and carbon emissions reduction, as the indispensable ways to deal with climate challenge and promote sustainable development of economy, have been paid great attention by every countries in the world [1]–[3]
In order to further investigate the effect of technological innovation on carbon emissions and energy consumption in different regions, we categorized China as the eastern region, central region and western region according to the classification standard of Chinese bureau of statistics
Environment regulation is markedly conducive to increasing energy consumption in China, which should be taken seriously by the Chinese governments to improve the role of environmental regulation in energy saving and carbon emissions reduction
Summary
Energy saving and carbon emissions reduction, as the indispensable ways to deal with climate challenge and promote sustainable development of economy, have been paid great attention by every countries in the world [1]–[3]. As the world’s largest country in primary energy consumption and carbon emissions, faces enormous pressure to save energy and reduce carbon emissions to achieve the goal of temperature control [3]. Technological innovation and lowcarbon transformation of energy structure are prerequisites for the realization of temperature control goals [7]. Faced with the pressure of energy saving and carbon emissions reduction, China is actively implementing the strategy of innovation-driven development. The effects of technological innovation on energy saving and carbon emissions reduction in China are worth discussing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
