Regional Green Development Research Articles

Discussion On The Development Of China's Regional Carbon Market Under The Background Of Double Carbon

Accelerating China's carbon trading market is one of the important means to deal with climate change and achieve the dual carbon goal. Due to the huge differences in China's regional economic development and carbon resource endowment, the impact of the establishment of the national unified carbon trading market on regional economic development is unstable and uncertain. For local governments to make full use of this empty window period, this paper combs the recent development of the carbon market, and discusses the development prospect of China's regional carbon market under the background of carbon trading. The results show that: ①in the current development of the national carbon emission trading market, we can not achieve the carbon unification of the market and abandon the local carbon trading market; ②In the process of regional carbon trading, it can promote the low-carbon development of local economy; ③In the process of regional carbon trading, it can increase the share of clean energy and improve the efficiency of regional ecological and environmental protection. Then, some suggestions are put forward for the development of local carbon trading: ①appropriately expand the pilot scale of local carbon trading, go up and down, and realize the double cycle development of carbon market; ②Strengthen the training of professionals and create an innovative and entrepreneurial business environment; ③build a carbon platform with big data technology and improve the Regional Internet plus carbon enterprise database; ④Actively promote the development of PPP model, explore the carbon sink transaction of cooperation between the government and social capital, continuously improve the regional green and low-carbon development, and jointly promote the realization of the "double carbon goal".

Spatial Correlation of Land Use Carbon Budget Based on Social Network Analysis： A Case Study of Chongqing Metropolitan Area

Clarifying the temporal and spatial changes in the carbon budget in the Chongqing metropolitan area and exploring the spatial correlation of land use carbon budget are of great significance for realizing the regional "double carbon" goal. Using 21 districts and counties in Chongqing metropolitan area as the research scale, the IPCC inventory method, carbon emission coefficient method, Gini coefficient, gravity model, and social network analysis were used to estimate the net carbon emissions from land use in Chongqing metropolitan area from 2000 to 2020, and the spatial correlation of the carbon budget was obtained. The results revealed that： ① In the past 20 years, the carbon budget of the Chongqing metropolitan area showed an overall upward trend, with an average annual growth rate of 2.83%, and the spatial distribution was "higher in the north and south, higher in the east and west, and lower in the middle." ② During the past 20 years, the spatial difference of net carbon emissions in the Chongqing metropolitan area became highly average, and the overall Gini coefficient decreased by 11.42%, whereas the intra-group difference was the largest in key development zones. ③ In the past 20 years, the overall structure of the spatial correlation network of land use carbon budget in the Chongqing metropolitan area has become stable and complex, and the network density and network correlation number have increased by 0.43 and 180, respectively, the network correlation degree has increased to 1, and the network health degree has improved. ④ In the individual network structure of land use carbon budget in the Chongqing metropolitan area, the degree centrality of each district and county has increased, and the increase in the central urban area was the most significant, with an increase of 81, whereas the decline in intermediate centrality and proximity centrality has promoted the regional coordinated development and integration process in the metropolitan area. ⑤ In the past 20 years, the density of net carbon emissions in the Chongqing metropolitan area has increased as a whole, with the density of the core area increasing by 0.35 and the density of the core-edge area increasing by 0.34. By exploring the change and spatial correlation of land use carbon budget in the Chongqing metropolitan area, this study clarified the spatial distribution difference of carbon budget and provided support for regional green development.

Effect of government environmental attention on green transformation: Empirical analysis from a spatiotemporal perspective in China

As the primary policymaker and implementer, the government plays an essential role in driving regional green transformation development (GTD). The study of the impact mechanisms of government environmental attention (GEA) on GTD can offer a scientific basis and reference for policy-making and regional governance. However, the varying focus of local governments on environmental issues and the externalities of environmental governance underscore the complexities in the influence of GEA on GTD. This paper proposes a method that integrates multi-source data to explore the impact of GEA on GTD from a spatiotemporal perspective. A text mining framework is first proposed to provide a more accurate measurement of the GEA, and the geographically and temporally weighted regression model is used to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristic and mechanism of GEA's impact. Additionally, the spatial correlation effect is explored based on the gravity model. The results indicate that the level of GTD in China demonstrates an increasing trend with an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 3.22%, while the variance between provinces is also increasing. GEA has a significant positive effect on GTD (R2 = 0.866), with an average growth rate of 18.1% following the implementation of major environmental policies. The spatial distribution pattern of GEA's impact shows the characteristics of “central > eastern > western > northeastern”. GEA promotes GTD by increasing environmental governance expenditure and enhancing public environmental services, while the transmission pathway of promoting green innovation has not yet worked. The spatial correlation and spillover effects of GEA have shown an overall increasing trend, with the AAGR of 8.92% in the gravity value. Inter-provincial cooperation can promote GTD, and certain collaborative clusters among provinces have been formed. This paper provides novel insights into the theoretical connection between GEA and GTD. The research findings can serve as a reference for the government to propose targeted policies for promoting regional green transformation.

Spatio-temporal coordinated development pattern evolution and driving factors of regional population and green economy: Evidence from Shandong Province in China.

The study of spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and factors affecting the coordinated development of population and green economy (CD_PGE) in Shandong province, China, has significant decision-making implications for promoting high-quality and sustainable regional development. Based on 2001 to 2020 panel data for each city and economic zone in Shandong province, this paper constructs an evaluation model for the CD_PGE systems. Using growth elasticity models, geographic concentration models, kernel density estimation models, spatial autocorrelation, analysis of population and regional green economy development in Shandong Province from the perspective of spatial agglomeration coupling, spatial and temporal coupling coordination patterns, and evolutionary characteristics. In addition, we use the fixed effect models and panel quantile models to empirically test the effects of coordinated demographic and green economy development. The results show that: (1) In terms of demo-graphic and economic development characteristics, Shandong's demographic and green economy development trends are good, but there are still many challenges. (2) According to the time series evolution and spatial distribution characteristics, the degree of CD_PGE in Shandong Province is on the rise, and the level of spatial distribution is distinct. (3) From the spatio-temporal dynamical grid evolution of the degree of CD_PGE, the CD_PGE is characterized by significant spatial clustering, but with large regional differences. (4) From an impact factor perspective, both market mechanisms and government intervention have a significant impact on the degree of CD_PGE, but the direction and extent of the impact vary.

Green Financial Policy, Resource Allocation and Corporate Environmental Responsibility

Green finance policy has emerged as a powerful driver for sustainable development worldwide, which has arisen at the top of the political agenda. Drawing on resource allocation theory, this study empirically investigates whether and how green finance policy affects corporate environmental responsibility in achieving sustainable development goals on a micro level. Taking China’s green finance reform and innovation (GFRI) pilot policy as a quasi-natural experiment, this paper employs the difference-in-differences model to investigate the impact of green finance policy on corporate environmental responsibility. The evidence shows that the GFRI policy significantly promotes corporate environmental responsibility. The results hold robust after a series of checks such as parallel trend examination, placebo test, exclusion of other policies, and alternative variable measurement. Moreover, this study explores the potential mechanism channels from the perspective of resource allocation theory. Specifically, green finance policy ultimately accelerates corporate environmental responsibility through financing capacity and environmental protection supervision. The heterogeneity analysis shows that the positive impact of the GFRI policy on corporate environmental responsibility is more pronounced for companies in areas with superior green development, strong law enforcement, and higher levels of pollution. The above findings indicate that the formal institution of government-led green financial policy can positively affect corporate environmental responsibility, with regional green development and law enforcement factors enhancing the effectiveness of these policies. Furthermore, the level of local pollution further intensifies the corporate sensibility to such policy effects. Overall, our study sheds light on the significant role of green financial policy in fostering a sustainable economy, helping reconcile the mixed evidence on the financial function of green finance policy on the firm level.

Spatial Evolution and Driving Factors of Ecological Well-Being Performance in the Yellow River Basin

Ecological well-being performance (EWP) is a key indicator of sustainable development and has garnered significant research attention. This study measures the overall and stage-by-stage efficiency of the urban agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin based on the ends–means framework of steady-state economics. This study then delves into the spatiotemporal transfer characteristics of EWP through Moran’s I, and spatial Markov chains. Additionally, this research investigates the factors influencing EWP using a random forest model. The findings indicate a notable enhancement in EWP in the urban agglomerations in the YRB from 2006 to 2021, showing clear spatial agglomeration patterns. The shift in EWP types displays a “path dependence” effect, with distinct evolutionary paths influenced by spatial lag effects. Ecological input emerges as a key internal driver of EWP, while urbanization and technological advancements are highlighted as significant external factors. Industrial agglomeration and industrial structure also contribute to improving EWP. The findings of this study help to clarify the spatial and temporal characteristics of ecological welfare performance and its driving mechanisms in the urban agglomerations of the Yellow River Basin. This is conducive to the achievement of high-quality urban transformation and regional green development, and it provides a reference for the construction of an ecological civilization.

Measurement of regional green finance development and its coordination with economic development: a study on the Yangtze River Delta region of China

The green transformation of industry and sustainable economic development both require considerable investment. In this regard, green finance that is compatible with economic development can help cope with the massive demand for capital. Taken China’s Yangtze River Delta (YRD) as an example, this study is to measure the coordination degree between green finance and economic development. First, the concept, content and scope of green finance is defined based on the new financial regulation mechanism. Second, a green finance measurement index is built to calculate the green finance index for 30 Chinese provinces by the CFA test. Third, based on the economic structure index, an economic development index is built. Testing the rationality of green financial index and the economic development index, this paper finally measures the degree of coordination between green finance and economic development in the YRD. The results reveal that, first, green finance is a financial instrument that integrates financial industry development, environmental improvement, and economic growth. The measurement of the green financial development index includes the sum of regional green credit, green investment, green securities, and green insurance. Second, after years' development, the comprehensive score of YRD’s coupling coordination degree exceeds 0.8 in 2020, which shows a high level of coordinated development between green finance and economic construction. However, there is a 2-year timing effect between the economic development and green finance index increase, which reveals that green finance development in the YRD requires further policy guidance and support. This study’s findings can provide a theoretical reference and case support for the further development of green finance and related policies in China.

Whether the Natural Forest Logging Ban Promotes the Improvement and Realization of the Ecosystem Service Value in Northeast China: A Regression Discontinuity Design

To protect forest land from loss and mitigate the global climate crisis, China has proposed a stringent natural forest protection plan, known as China’s natural forest logging ban (NFLB). This policy aims to halt the over-exploitation of natural forests, restore forest ecosystem functions, and promote regional green economic development. This study uses a regression discontinuity design (RDD) model to quantitatively and comprehensively assess the effectiveness of this policy in the key state-owned forest regions in Northeast China. Additionally, it analyzes the heterogeneity and structural characteristics of the policy’s effects on the internal composition of ecological and economic systems. The empirical results are as follows: (1) Ecological and economic impacts: The policy has successfully achieved its ecological objectives by significantly enhancing the quality and value of ecosystem services. However, it has also had a notable adverse impact on economic development, particularly in the timber supply sector, reducing the conversion efficiency of ecosystem service values into economic benefits. (2) Structural analysis: The logging ban effectively promoted the value of various ecosystem services, particularly enhancing regulatory and support functions, with a LATE estimate of approximately 8.47 units. The implementation of the policy caused a negative growth in the output value of supply-oriented ecological products, and the significance level was lower than 0.1. Conversely, the LATE estimates for different types of GDP indicate a negative growth in supply-type GDP due to the policy, with p < 0.1. (3) Heterogeneity: On the one hand, a simplistic and singular approach to logging prohibition may constrain the efficiency of enhancing ecosystem service values. On the other hand, although the policy disrupted the majority of traditional forest enterprise operations, business models focusing on quality and technology improvements were able to mitigate this impact.

Does energy transformation improve green development efficiency? Evidence from Sichuan Province, China

Green sustainable development has become an important topic of concern to human society.Energy clean and low-carbon transformation is an important lever for promoting regional green development. Investigating the driving mechanisms of energy transformation is helpful to explore the effective path for accelerating the process of green development. Meanwhile, Sichuan Province is a demonstration province of clean energy and an important energy transportation hub in China, and it should play an exemplary role in the process of high-quality development. In this regard, this study uses the two-stage super-efficiency network SBM model to measure the green development efficiency based on the dual perspectives of green production and environmental governance. Based on historical data from 2006 to 2022, Technological innovation, industrial structure, and foreign direct investment are selected as transmission variables, and the fixed effects regression model is used to empirically analyse the direct and indirect impact effects of ET on GDE. The results show that the green development efficiency in Sichuan Province has gradually increased from 0.8303 in 2006–0.9270 in 2022, which is at a relatively high level. Energy transformation is helpful to improve the green development efficiency in Sichuan Province. However, due to insufficient complementary power sources and challenges in balancing energy supply and demand, the incentive level needs to be strengthened. Technological innovation, industrial structure, and foreign direct investment show indirect heterogeneous transmission effects in the process of influence.

“Words” and “actions” of environmental policy and their effects on regional green development: an empirical research based on China’s 88 cities

“Words” and “actions” of environmental policy and their effects on regional green development: an empirical research based on China’s 88 cities

Green taxation, regional green development and innovation: Mechanisms of influence and policy optimization

As the severity of global climate change escalates, carbon peak and carbon neutrality have emerged as international imperatives. Green taxation, a crucial fiscal strategy promoting the transition to a green low-carbon economy, demands thorough investigation regarding its efficacy and operational mechanisms. Predominantly, existing research has concentrated on the macroeconomic implications of green taxes, while their influence on regional green growth and innovation remains underexplored. This paper delineates green taxation in both a broad and narrow sense, elucidating its essence and potential in stimulating regional green progress and innovation. Utilizing panel data from 30 provinces in China spanning 2004 to 2021, a bidirectional fixed-effects model was developed for empirical analysis. Moreover, an impact mechanism model was constructed to delve into how green taxation specifically affects regional green development and innovation. Findings reveal that green taxation significantly fosters regional green growth and markedly enhances green innovation. Nonetheless, due to the resource crowding-out effect, it adversely impacts the comprehensive innovation capabilities of regional enterprises. This insight offers a fresh perspective on the paradoxical effects of green taxation, underscoring the necessity for a balanced approach in policy design and implementation. Drawing on these conclusions, the paper presents tailored policy recommendations.

Can dual mulching outperform single mulching in arid agriculture—Loess Plateau? A meta‐analysis based on crop yield and water use efficiency

AbstractField mulching is an important technique for dryland crop cultivation in the Loess Plateau (LP) of China, which alleviates the local agricultural water shortage. However, under different precipitation and temperature conditions, the effects of mulching on moisture conservation and yield enhancement are not consistent. A meta‐analysis was conducted to assess the variations of mulching across various variables (mulching types, rainfall precipitation and annual average temperature) based on data from 203 peer‐reviewed publications, including 1466 yield and 991 water use efficiency data points. The results indicated that compared with no mulching (CK), plastic mulching (PM), straw mulching (SM), and dual plastic and straw mulching (SPM) significantly increased both yield and water use efficiency (WUE), with SPM demonstrating the most substantial yield improvement. Under conditions of low temperature (<7°C), PM significantly improved both crop yield and WUE. Similarly, when temperatures were below 7°C and rainfall ranged from 400 to 600 mm, SM also significantly enhanced yield and WUE. Compared with PM, SM does not enhance yield and WUE under high‐temperature low‐precipitation (>12°C, ≤400 mm) and low‐temperature high‐precipitation (≤7°C, >600 mm) conditions. SPM outperforms SM and PM in enhancing yield and WUE under diverse hydrothermal conditions. Furthermore, we conducted green development assessment using the DPSIR model, and after 20 years of development, we found that green development potential of SM and SPM is greater than that of PM. Overall, SPM not only enhances crop yield and WUE but also serves as an effective replacement for PM, thereby boosting crop production in dryland agriculture. Its crucial role in advancing regional green development has been validated by scientific research.

Towards sustainability: How does the digital-real integration affect regional green development efficiency?

Integrating the digital economy into the real economy (thereafter referred to as digital-real integration) is one of the important ways to promote the efficiency improvement of green development. We adopt the panel data of 30 provinces and cities in China (excluding Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) from 2011 to 2021 as the basis of our study. We also use the coupled coordination model to measure the level of digital-real integration in each region. Then, we set up a spatio-temporal geographically weighted regression model to examine the spatio-temporal distribution pattern and the specific mechanism of its impact on the efficiency of regional green development. Our study finds that the vast majority of provinces in the country are in the coupling and coordination state on the verge of dysfunction and mild dysfunction. Moreover, coordinating with the development speed of the digital economy to reach the state of dynamic interconnection and constraints is difficult for the real economy. Second, the level of digital-real integration can contribute to the improvement of green development efficiency, and that in Xinjiang and Qinghai is lower than in other provinces. Further in terms of spatial distribution, the digital-real integration in the Yangtze River Delta region (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui) and Fujian Provinces during the 11-year period obviously promotes the efficiency of green development. Finally, through the mechanism analysis, the digital-real integration development can be found to promote the improvement of green development efficiency via three channels: industrial structure rationalization, factor market development degree, and government intervention. Findings of this paper provide some basis and reference for better promoting the digital-real integration and then realizing the long-term sustainable development of the region.

Spatio-temporal pattern evolution of green development efficiency in Northeastern China and its driving factors

Scientific analysis of green development efficiency is crucial for promoting healthy green development at home. The subjects of this study were 181 counties in three provinces in Northeast China. As a first step, the Super-SBM model is utilized to estimate the efficiency of 181 counties from 2006 to 2020; in addition, spatial autocorrelation analysis is applied to assess green development efficiency, spatially and temporally, of 181counties; and to examine the driving factors and spillover effects associated with the efficiency of 181 counties, the Spatial Durbin model (SDM) is utilized. The conclusions show that 181 counties have low levels of green development efficiency and are all on a downward trajectory. Liaoning Province has the highest level, Jilin Province has the second highest level, and Heilongjiang Province has the lowest level. According to the geographical distribution, the locations with high and very high green development efficiency are roughly located in Mohe City, Huma County, Xunke County, Daqing Municipal District, Harbin Municipal District, Changchun Municipal District, Wafangdian City, Dalian Municipal District, and Zhuanghe City. There is a favorable spatial connection of efficiency across regions, but the positive spatial agglomeration trend first diminishes and then gradually increases. Economic development, industrial structure, policy regulations, and environmental protection play significant roles in economic development, industrial structure, policy regulations, and environmental protection. The contribution of this essay is of paramount importance for understanding the status quo and potential for green development in different counties in Northeast China and for realizing coordinated regional green development.

Regional Green Development and Corporate Financialization: A Quasi-Natural Experiment on the Ecological Conservation and High-Quality Development of the Yellow River Basin

Regional Green Development and Corporate Financialization: A Quasi-Natural Experiment on the Ecological Conservation and High-Quality Development of the Yellow River Basin

Research on the Evolution of the Spatial Association Network Structure and Driving Factors of China’s Agricultural Green Development

Against the backdrop of global environmental challenges and sustainable development goals, this paper pioneers the application of social network analysis to the study of spatial associations in China’s agricultural green development. It not only enhances the understanding of the spatial interconnectivity and network structural characteristics of agricultural green developments, but also captures the complex dependencies and interactions among provinces through a network lens, offering a fresh perspective on regional agricultural cooperation and competition. The study reveals: (1) The spatial network of China’s agricultural green development displays strong overall connectivity and enhanced stability, with regional green development trends becoming increasingly interlinked and interdependent. (2) The network exhibits a clear hierarchical and core-periphery structure which, over time, shows signs of diminishing, indicating a narrowing of developmental disparities among regions. (3) Significant shifts in the roles and positions of provinces within the network occur due to the relocation of industrial focal points and adjustments in development strategies, highlighting the complexity of dynamic changes among regions. (4) The spatial association network can be divided into four main clusters: Net spillover block, Bidirectional spillover block, Net beneficial block, and Broker block, with significant gradient characteristics in the relationships between these clusters, suggesting directional and differential flows and exchanges of resources and information among regions. (5) Geographic proximity, economic development level, informatization, and agricultural technological advancement significantly influenced the development and structural evolution of the network.

Research on the Spatial Effect of Igital Economy Development Enabling Green Technology Innovation in Yangtze River Delta region

At the time of the transformation of old and new driving forces for economic growth, green technology innovation enabled by the digital economy has gradually become a powerful driving force for scientific and technological innovation and the improvement of the development level of green economy in the Yangtze River Delta region. This paper takes 41 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region as the research object, and empirically analyzes the spatial correlation degree and the spillover effect of green technology innovation in the Yangtze River Delta region from 2016 to 2020 by constructing the spatial Dubin model. The results show that: (1) Digital economy has a strong positive impact on green technology innovation and development, and has an empowering effect on regional green technology innovation and development. (2) The development of green technology innovation in the Yangtze River Delta showed a significant positive spatial autocorrelation, and the spatial autocorrelation decreased with the increase of years, and the trend of unbalanced development of green technology innovation increased. (3) The level of digital economy, the level of opening up to the outside world, the rate of urbanization and the level of scientific and technological development have a spatial spillover effect on regional green technology innovation and development. Based on the above conclusions, the paper puts forward some countermeasures and suggestions to promote the innovation and development of green technology enabled by digital economy in Yangtze River Delta region.

Carbon emission allowances and green development efficiency

This study delves into the nexus between the efficiency of carbon emission allocation and the efficiency of green development within the context of innovative city construction. Leveraging data from 283 prefecture-level cities and corresponding provincial-level panel data spanning the period from 2005 to 2019 in mainland China, the research employs the zero-sum gain DEA model to compute provincial carbon emission allocation efficiency and allocate allowances. Furthermore, it utilizes the all-factor non-radial directional distance function and the SBM-DEA model to gauge the green development efficiency of prefecture-level cities. The double-difference method is applied to evaluate the impact of innovative city construction on regional green development efficiency. The results indicate that an imbalance between carbon emission allocation efficiency and emission quotas detrimentally affects urban green development. However, technological progress, factor accumulation, and the institutional environment associated with innovative city building mitigate this negative impact. Heterogeneity analysis reveals a differentiated effect of innovative city building on regional green development efficiency. This paper not only explores the concept of achieving an equitable distribution of carbon emission allowances but also examines how innovative city building influences regional green development. By establishing connections between urban policies, the equitable distribution of carbon emission allowances, and regional green development, it introduces a new perspective for promoting high-quality development at the regional level.

Strong Provincial Capital Strategy and the Quality of Regional Green and Low-Carbon Development – Empirical Analysis Based on the Expansion of Provincial Capital City Boundaries

Strong Provincial Capital Strategy and the Quality of Regional Green and Low-Carbon Development – Empirical Analysis Based on the Expansion of Provincial Capital City Boundaries

The Impact of the Integration of the Culture Industry and Tourism on Regional Green Development: Empirical Evidence from China

The concept of “green development” has garnered increasing recognition and prominence in recent years, attracting the attention of various countries and regions. How to achieve green development has become a pressing issue for the government. The integration of the culture industry and tourism has had a profound impact on regional green development. This paper employs the entropy method to assess the level of regional green development, and it employs the coupling coordination model to evaluate the degree of integration of the culture industry and tourism across 30 provincial administrative regions in China from 2011 to 2021. Additionally, an econometric model is constructed to empirically examine the impact of the integration of the culture industry and tourism on regional green development, as well as its underlying mechanism. The findings of this study indicate the following: (1) The integration of the culture industry and tourism significantly enhances regional green development. (2) With the improvement in the regional green development level, the integration of the culture industry and tourism is playing a gradually stronger role in promoting regional green development. (3) Further analysis of the mechanism reveals that the integration of the culture industry and tourism enhances regional green development by facilitating the upgrading of the tourism industrial structure. (4) Environmental regulation policies reinforce the role of the integration of the culture industry and tourism in promoting regional green development. These research findings contribute to enhancing our understanding of the impact of the integration of the culture industry and tourism on regional green development, providing empirical evidence and policy recommendations for the government to facilitate the integration of the culture industry and tourism and further promote green development.