Green Development In China Research Articles

The Level of Green Development in China and Influencing Factors—A Case Study of the Huai River Ecological Economic Belt

ABSTRACTEnvironmental issues are significant challenges for China's growth, with green development being crucial. The Huai He River Ecological and Economic Belt (EEB), a vital north–south economic corridor, plays a key role in demonstrating ecological civilization and regional coordinated development, essential for China's eco‐progress. This study uses the super‐SBM‐DEA model to measure the green development efficiency (GDE) of the EEB from 2005 to 2020, introducing innovative input–output indicators like technological innovation, industrial, environmental, and social gains. It analyzes the GDE from multiple angles using the Malmquist index, Moran index, and Durbin model, examining the temporal and spatial evolution and influencing factors of the EEB. Four key findings emerge: (1) The EEB's green development level trends upward, with western urban areas showing superior sustainable growth and environmental efficiency compared with the east. (2) Technological progress is the primary driver for improving the green level in the EEB. (3) The spatial agglomeration of green development levels is increasing. (4) Technological innovation significantly influences the EEB's GDE, while the digital economy level and environmental regulation promote it. Conversely, a single energy structure, urbanization, and foreign investment negatively impact the GDE, whereas economic growth and industrial structure enhancement positively affect the region's GDE but may adversely affect neighboring areas. The study recommends strategies to advance the premium quality evolution of the EEB, tailored to its regional characteristics.

Comprehensive Evaluation and Dynamic Evolution Characteristics of Tourism Ecological Security Using the DPSIR-DS Model in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China

The Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) is positioned as the main battlefield of ecological priority and green development in China. It is of great significance to dynamically grasp the situation of tourism ecological security in YREB for promoting the green and high-quality development of regional tourism. Aiming at the disadvantage of either-or in evaluation research, this study established the index system based on the inter-period DPSIR framework, designed an integrated assessment model combining the entropy method, the membership function, and the D-S evidence theory model to assess the tourism ecological security level from the perspective of probability value, then revealed its spatiotemporal dynamics characteristics. Results showed that: (1) the regional security level is in a good trend of weakening fluctuations and stable improvement, in which the upstream and downstream improvement is more significant, but still at a lower level in general. (2) The security levels of the 11 areas included were all located at Risk level to Relative Security level with significant differences, including Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, and Chongqing were the key ecological nodes for tourism ecological security improvement. (3) The transitions among security levels were frequent, while the higher levels were relatively unstable, implying that the tourism ecology has not improved in essence. Finally, strategic suggestions for improving tourism ecological security are proposed in terms of building joint prevention and control mechanisms, clarifying risk factors, and innovating protection paths.

The influence and spatial spillover effects of producer services agglomeration on urban green development in China.

Based on the analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of producer services agglomeration and urban green development efficiency in China, this study measures the influence and spatial spillover effects of producer services agglomeration on urban green development. Research results reveal that the specialization agglomeration level of producer services has undergone a dynamic decline process, demonstrating spatial characteristics where the east exhibits higher levels than the west, and the north surpasses the south. In contrast, the diversification agglomeration level of producer services has demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory, characterized by a spatial distribution that is broadly scattered but concentrated on a smaller scale. Regarding China's urban green development, its efficiency shows a dynamic upward trend and displays characteristics of agglomeration and contiguous development in space. Overall, both modes of producer services agglomeration have beneficial diffusion impacts on urban ecological advancement. Furthermore, the impact of this agglomeration on the efficiency of green development notably varies across regions and industries.

How to accurately evaluate and effectively improve the performance of provincial green development in China? An improved integrated method

Evaluating and improving the performance of green development (GD) is essential for the government to formulate sustainable development policies. This study first analyzes the connotation and structures of GD from systemic perspective. Secondly, based on the two-stage eco-inefficiency (TE) model, non-cooperative theory, the correlation coefficient and standard deviation, and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method (fsQCA), an improved integrated method, i.e., ITNE-fsQCA, is proposed. Thirdly, the validity and accuracy of ITNE-fsQCA are verified using the data from 30 Chinese provinces in 2020, and the results are compared with those obtained from TE and two-stage non-cooperative eco-inefficiency (TNE). Finally, the driving types and configuration pathway are discussed based on ITNE-fsQCA. The results show that: (1) compared to TE and TNE, ITNE-fsQCA helps to avoid the overestimation/underestimation of inefficiency in complex systems; (2) there are 8 configuration pathways that can effectively improve GD performance in 30 Chinese provinces in 2020, and these pathways are categorized into 4 driving types; (3) the enhancement of green technology innovation plays a crucial role in provincial sustainable development; and (4) the provincial GD inefficiencies in China are manifest various combinatorial forms. These findings provide the government with innovative ideas and methodologies for formulating sustainable development policies.

Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Interactive Relationship Between Digital Economy and Green Development in China

A digital economy parallel with green development holds profound significance for achieving sustainability. The primary objective of this study was to explore the synergistic interaction effects between the digital economy and green development in China and forecast their future development. This study analyzed the spatio-temporal characteristics of provincial digital economy and green development in China by integrating a combined assignment method, an unconditional spatial kernel density estimation method, and a standard deviation ellipse model. The interplay between the digital economy and green development was examined using a panel vector autoregression model. Additionally, digital economy and green development levels were forecasted using univariate time series and radial basis function kernel ε-support vector regression models. The results indicate that both the digital economy and green development levels in China exhibited an upward trend from 2013 to 2021, with the digital economy increasing at a faster rate. However, both domains demonstrated regional disparities in their development processes. The mutual interaction between the digital economy and green development intensified as the lag period increased. The digital economy contributed 21% to green development, whereas green development contributed 18% to the digital economy. The initial effect of the digital economy on green development was negative, however, this impact gradually diminished over time. Additionally, the influence of green development on the digital economy was shown to follow a consistent trend of transitioning from negative to positive across the eastern, central, and western regions. Therefore, it can be seen that the digital economy exerts a sustainable impact on green development, albeit with a one-phase lag. This research provides a scientific basis for the deep integration of the digital economy and green development, thereby fostering sustainable socioeconomic growth.

Impact of ESG ratings on carbon emission reduction performance in context of green development—evidence from Chinese manufacturing listed enterprises

PurposeIn the context of green development in China, the circumstance in which Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings function has changed. As an important external governance mechanism of sustainable development, ESG ratings can also be a two-edged sword for the implementation of carbon emission reduction. This research examines the connection of ESG ratings and corporate carbon emission reduction in the context of green development. This present study postulates that the impact of ESG ratings on carbon emission reduction performance in the context of green development is inverted U-shaped.Design/methodology/approachTo obtain empirical evidence for the hypotheses proposed, this study makes an empirical test based on the two-way fixed effects model. The data is taken from listed Chinese manufacturing firms between 2012 and 2021.FindingsThe study reveals that there is a significant inverted U-shape relationship between ESG ratings and carbon emission reduction performance in the context of green development. Managerial myopic behaviour plays a positive moderating role in the above relationship. In addition, it makes the inflection point of inverted U-shaped curve move to left. Heterogeneity analyses show that the above inverted U-shaped relationship is more significant for firms that don’t hire CEO with environmental protection background or big four accounting firms.Originality/valueIn the background of green development, this study helps to understand dual influence of ESG ratings on corporate carbon emission reduction deeply. It is beneficial to guide enterprises to utilize ESG ratings mechanism reasonably, thus enhancing the effectiveness of carbon emission reduction. This study provides decision-making reference for government to accelerate low-carbon transformation in microcosmic field.

How Does Industrial Agglomeration Drive High-Quality Green Development in China? New Evidence from a Financial and Manufacturing Co-Clustering

We examine the effect of financial and manufacturing co-clustering on high-quality green development in China’s 30 provinces from 2005 to 2020. The nexus between financial and manufacturing co-clustering and high-quality green development has been comprehensively investigated from linear and non-linear perspectives. We find that financial and manufacturing co-clustering significantly fosters high-quality green development. Mechanism analysis shows that formal environmental regulation has a significant negative moderating effect on high-quality green development, whereas informal environmental regulation plays a significantly positive moderating role. However, empirical results only show the mediation effect of formal environmental regulation in the incentive role of financial and manufacturing co-clustering to high-quality green development. A dynamic panel threshold model also certifies the non-linear effect between financial and manufacturing co-clustering and high-quality green development. Lastly, the promotion effect of financial and manufacturing co-clustering on high-quality green development creates significant heterogeneity.

Digital inclusive finance and agricultural green development in China: A panel analysis (2013–2022)

Digital inclusive finance breaks financial barriers to promote agricultural green development in rural areas. We investigate the impact of digital inclusive finance on agricultural green development based on panel data from 2013 to 2022 in China. The results show that digital inclusive finance can promote the agricultural green development by improving agricultural technology innovation and alleviating agriculture-related financing constraints. The coverage breadth of digital inclusive finance has the greatest effect on agricultural green development, and the promoting effect of digital inclusive finance on agricultural green development is more pronounced in the Eastern region and in non-major grain producing areas. Overall, our findings provide timely policy evaluations on new policy trends in China.

Techno-economic-environmental analysis based on life cycle carbon accounting and pollutants audit for cleaner production of electrolytic manganese

The electrolytic manganese metal (EMM) industry faces significant environmental challenges, including substantial resource and energy consumption, severe pollution, and high CO2 emissions. This study introduced a novel approach for developing collaborative strategies aimed at mitigating pollutants and CO2 emissions. Through the implementation of life cycle carbon accounting and critical pollutant audits, a process enhancement program incorporating 17 advanced technologies was developed. Aligned with the principles of cleaner production, this project effectively mitigates the environmental burden at the source and offers viable solutions for addressing prominent emissions, such as manganese residue and acid fog. Furthermore, the marginal abatement cost curves demonstrate the economic practicality and applicability of these measures. This study provides a strategic blueprint for achieving sustainable green development in China’s EMM industry and offers valuable guidelines for formulating relevant environmental policies.

Analysis of the spatio-temporal variability and convergence of green development efficiency of city clusters in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China

The advantageous geographical location of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River (YRMR) plays an important role in promoting high-quality development in China and accelerating the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt(YREB). In the new stage of development, green development efficiency (GDE) is an important metric for assessing the balance between economic development and ecological civilization. Therefore, taking three city clusters in China's YRMR as the study area, this research employs the Super-SBM model to assess their GDE in 2010–2020 in order to analyze the problem of GDE at the city scale. On this basis, spatio-temporal analyses, dynamic evolution, and convergence analyses have been carried out using the Thiel index, GML index model, and convergence model. The findings indicate that overall GDE has not yet reached an effective level and generally exhibits a two-stage fluctuating upward trend. Spatially, the pattern of distribution is "high in the southwest, low in the northeast". The differences within the city clusters in the YRMR in terms of green development are gradually narrowing, with differences within the same regions contributing the most to overall differences. The GML index shows a trend of fluctuating growth, indicating that the overall GDE growth is in good condition. GDE has grown significantly as a result of technological advancements, with the Wuhan metropolitan area (cluster A) experiencing the fastest growth in this regard, followed by the Chang-Zhu-Tan and the Poyang Lake rim city clusters (clusters B and C). The YRMR and its three major city clusters exhibit both σ- and β-convergence patterns. The convergence of GDE is simultaneously affected by several factors, including economic development (RGDP), urbanization level (UR), industrial structure (IND), technological development (TEC), and the level of openness (LO). Regional heterogeneity also exists. The above study provides decision-making references and empirical evidence for promoting green development in China's city clusters in the YRMR and advancing the improvement of economic-environmental incongruence in this area.

The mechanism and path of pollution reduction and carbon reduction affecting high quality economic development - taking the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration as an example

In the wake of the COVID19 pandemic, what is crucial for the continued promotion of ecological civilization construction and sustainable green development in China is to achieve the dynamic and balanced development between pollution reduction, carbon emission reduction, and economic growth. Therefore, the indexes of CO2 emissions, pollution reduction intensity, and high-quality economic development are quantified in this study by using the panel data related to 26 cities in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration(YRDUA) from 2010 to 2020. Furthermore, kernel density analysis, GIS spatial analysis, and other methods are employed to demonstrate the spatial and temporal patterns of pollution reduction intensity, CO2 emission levels, and the characteristics of high-quality economic development in the YRDUA. In order to reveal the dynamic relationship between pollution reduction, carbon emission reduction, and high-quality economic development, a panel vector autoregressive model (PAVR) was established and the system generalized method of moments was used to estimate the model coefficients. Additionally, Granger causality tests, impulse response analysis, and variance decomposition were conducted. There is a fluctuating upward trend shown by the overall level of CO2 emissions in the YRDUA, with significant spatial nonuniformity exhibited in carbon emissions. Despite the self-promotion mechanism playing a more significant role in the high-quality economic development in the YRDUA and its three regions, the impact of pollutant and carbon emissions on high-quality economic development is quite limited. A significant promoting effect is exhibited in those high and moderately high-quality economic development regions, while nonlinear effects are observed in those high and moderately high-quality economic development regions. As for the interactive relationships, the three factors are correlated with each other to a more significant extent in those high and moderately high-quality economic development regions, which contributes to mutual influence and causal relationship. However, there is no effective interactive mechanism observed among the three factors in the whole area and low-quality economic development regions, with high-quality economic development playing a major role in environmental pollution and carbon emission reduction.

Can intelligent manufacturing drive green development in China's pharmaceutical industry? -- Evidence from listed enterprises

The pharmaceutical industry's historical extensive pollution emissions have caused severe environmental issues. In the context of the evolving intelligent age, it is urgent to investigate the potential of intelligent manufacturing in improving the environmental performance of the pharmaceutical industry. Our study employs panel data from 110 publicly listed pharmaceutical enterprises covering the period from 2012 to 2020 to assess the impact of intelligent manufacturing on the environmental performance of the pharmaceutical sector. The results reveal a substantial positive effect of intelligent manufacturing on the environmental performance of these enterprises. Additionally, we identify three primary mechanisms for this enhancement: supply chain optimization, the emergence of technological innovations, and structural optimization. A notable observation is that enterprises not certified in environmental management systems or operating within highly competitive markets exhibit a greater potential for enhancing their environmental performance. Drawing upon these insights, our study proposes detailed policy recommendations to leverage intelligent manufacturing for the sustainable progression of the pharmaceutical industry.

The green development in China through the lens of complex cybernetics: Insight for a new era

Measuring the level of green development is far from being a well-assessed problem, due to both the broad meaning of green development and the presence of randomness in environmental changes. In this paper, we develop the sustainable development evaluation index system from different perspectives, including resource utilization, green development management, green development quality, environmental protection, growth quality and green lifestyle. This evaluation index system is further viewed as a cybernetic system. Following a rough set approach, we properly address the issue of uncertainty and develop a robust estimation methodology. Neighborhood rough set and rough set methods based on genetic algorithms (GAs) have been used to identify the key indicators within the system. First, the results illustrate how a cybernetic approach deals with green policy and economic growth. Second, such a cybernetic approach provides new insights into identifying the main attributes for a sustainable development. Finally, stategies of improving green development in different parts of China are provided, concluding this paper.

Exploring the interrelationship and coupling coordination between new urbanization and green development in China

Exploring the interrelationship and coupling coordination between new urbanization and green development in China

Spatial–Temporal Evolution and Driving Factors of Agricultural Green Development in China: Evidence from Panel Quantile Approaches

Agricultural green development has become essential for sustainable agriculture and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. This study evaluates the total index of agricultural green development by applying the entropy method; it then examines the spatial–temporal evolution of agricultural green development and finally uses the panel quantile model to examine the driving factors of agricultural green development in China. The results indicate that the level of agricultural green development is rising with time, and the differences among the regions have not changed, showing an increasing direction from west to east. The results from the panel quantile regression with nonadditive fixed effects show that the driving factors have different impacts on agricultural green development across quantiles. Industrial structure upgrading, rural informatization, and agricultural marketization have more significant effects in provinces with higher agricultural green development; agricultural finance and the per capita GDP have greater impacts in provinces at a moderate level of agricultural green development; and technology development, rural informatization, and the urbanization rate play a more important role in provinces at a lower level of agricultural green development. Thus, each province should devise policies according to its level of agricultural green development, which would be beneficial in improving the policies’ effectiveness.

Evaluating Green Environmental Performance Through Multi-Stakeholder Governance: A Comparative Analysis of NCA and fsQCA in the New Energy Vehicle Industry

The emphasis on green development in China underscores the critical role of green environmental performance in achieving sustainability. This study introduces a multi-stakeholder governance perspective to evaluate enterprises’ green environmental performance, utilizing a framework with five factors categorized into firm, government, and societal dimensions. Employing a combination of Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), it investigates specific conditions enhancing green environmental performance in new energy vehicle enterprises, drawing on a sample of 49 companies in 2021. Results indicate that high levels of green environmental performance are influenced by multiple factors, including incentives, pressures, resources, and media attention. Additionally, the study identifies a potential complementary relationship between government subsidies and green technology innovation in driving high-level green environmental performance, subject to specific conditions. These findings contribute to our understanding of corporate green environmental performance and provide practical implications for fostering sustainability in the new energy vehicle industry.

The safeguard mode of green development in China

The safeguard mode of green development in China

The effect of industrial upgrading on energy consumption

Energy conservation is a key way for China to achieve the goal of “carbon peaking” and “carbon neutrality” goals. Based on the panel data of 152 resource-based and old industrial cities (RBOI cities) in China from 2010 to 2021, this study explores the effect of national industrial transformation and upgrading demonstration zones (ITUDZ) on city's energy consumption and its mechanism channel using a time-varying difference-in-differences method. The results show that: (1) The ITUDZ significantly reduce the city's energy consumption. And the result still robust after a series of robustness tests. (2) Mechanism analyses show that the ITUDZ mainly rely on optimizing the industrial structure and improving the green innovation to reduce energy consumption. Moreover, this energy-saving effect can be enhanced by the market-oriented reform. (3) Heterogeneity analyses find that the energy-saving effect of ITUDZ on the eastern China and multi-city zones are significantly stronger than that of the central-western China and single-city zones. This study provides new evidence to understand the effect of industrial place-based policy on energy conservation. It provides a reference for the realization of green development in China.

The spillover effects of China’s carbon trading policy on coordinated emission efficiency

The significance of carbon trading policy (CTP) for China’s carbon reduction goals cannot be overstated. Examining the practical impacts and inherent features of this policy is crucial for fostering its healthy development and effectiveness. This study utilizes the directional SBM super-efficiency model to calculate the combined emission efficiency (CEE) of greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants across 30 provinces and cities in China from 2005 to 2020. Through spatiotemporal analysis of the CEE evolution using hotspot analysis, it is evident that hotspots gradually shift towards the southeast coastal areas over time, while cold spots shift towards the northwest. Additionally, employing the differences-in-differences (DID) model and conducting robustness tests, the study finds that the CTP significantly enhances the CEE development. Spatial econometric analysis reveals that the CEE primarily follows a distribution pattern characterized by low-low (LL) and high-high (HH) regions, with positive spatial spillover effects. However, due to the incomplete state of early green development in China, the CTP temporarily exhibits negative spatial spillover effects. Finally, considering the current state of China's carbon trading policy, corresponding policy recommendations are proposed in this paper.

Solar photovoltaic automatic tracking device based on IoT and BDS

Solar photovoltaic automatic tracking device based on IoT and BDS