How to Achieve Carbon Neutrality in Cities? Evidence from China's Low-Carbon Cities Development

Huaxing Wang; Chuan Chen; Zhiqiao Xiong; Dandan Li

doi:10.3390/ijerph20032121

How to Achieve Carbon Neutrality in Cities? Evidence from China's Low-Carbon Cities Development

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 24;20(3):2121. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032121.

Authors

Huaxing Wang^{1

2}, Chuan Chen³, Zhiqiao Xiong⁴, Dandan Li^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Guanghua Law School, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China.
² Law School, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou 310000, China.
³ School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China.
⁴ School of Economics and Management, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410005, China.
⁵ School of Low-Carbon Economics, Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan 430000, China.
⁶ Collaborative Innovation Center for Emissions Trading System Co-Constructed by the Province and Ministry, Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan 430000, China.

Abstract

Low-carbon city pilots (LCCP) is a key policy for realizing emission peak and carbon neutrality in China, using China's samples from 280 towns from 2006 to 2016. The article utilizes PSM-DID, mediated effects, and moderating effects approach for validating a CO₂ reduction effect, mechanisms, and synergistic elements of LCCP. The regression outcomes suggest that (1) LCCP significantly decreases CO₂ emissions levels and average annual carbon emissions in LCCP fall by 2.6 percent. (2) LCCP focus on reducing carbon emissions by increasing R&D investment, the efficiency of energy, and decreasing the high CO₂ emissions industry. Among them, the reduction of the high carbon emission industry is mainly FDI, while the reduction of local industry is not obvious. (3) LCCP's carbon reduction effects suggest a reversed U-shape relationship with city size. Digitalization and marketization of LCCP are crucial to the carbon reduction effect. Carbon reduction and pollution reduction have a strong synergistic effect.

Keywords: LLCP; PSM-DID; carbon emission; carbon neutral mechanisms; synergistic effect.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Carbon
Carbon Dioxide*
China
Cities
Economic Development
Social Conditions*

Substances

Carbon Dioxide
Carbon

Grants and funding

This research was funded by [National Social Science Foundation of China] grant number [No. 20BJL131].