New urbanization and carbon emissions intensity reduction: Mechanisms and spatial spillover effects

Xueqin Li; Zhuoji Zheng; Daqian Shi; Xianfeng Han; Mingzhu Zhao

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167172

New urbanization and carbon emissions intensity reduction: Mechanisms and spatial spillover effects

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Dec 20:905:167172. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167172. Epub 2023 Sep 17.

Authors

Xueqin Li¹, Zhuoji Zheng², Daqian Shi³, Xianfeng Han², Mingzhu Zhao²

Affiliations

¹ School of Economics, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China.
² School of Management and Economics, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
³ School of Economics, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Emissions Trading system Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Wuhan 430205, China.

PMID: 37726080
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167172

Abstract

The advancement of new urbanization policy (NU) and the attainment of double carbon targets play pivotal roles in facilitating high-quality economic development in China. This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the mechanism and spatial spillover effects of NU on carbon emission intensity reduction (CEIR), building upon an examination of the nature of NU and the principles of urban carbon pollution control. The research employs a multi-period difference-in-difference model (DID) to explore the causal relationship between NU and CEIR, using panel data from 278 prefecture-level cities spanning the period of 2006 to 2020. Empirical results demonstrate that the implementation of NU resulted in an 8.4 % reduction in carbon emission intensity (CEI). Furthermore, the analysis of the transmission mechanism reveals that NU stimulates green technology innovation and facilitates the development of industrial agglomeration, thus achieving CEIR. The decomposition of the spatial Durbin model indicates significant spatial spillover effects in the effectiveness of NU, signifying its positive impacts not only within the region but also in generating benefits for surrounding areas. Moreover, the dynamic heterogeneity results indicate that entrepreneurial vitality and urbanization rate exhibit dynamic effects on the policy's CEIR effect, both displaying nonlinear enhancement curves. Based on this, the policy implications of this paper include: The government should enhance regional coordinated governance to address carbon emissions pollution in alignment with China's NU. This can be accomplished by effectively harnessing the driving role of green innovation and industrial agglomeration. Additionally, the local government can actively create an entrepreneurial atmosphere and expedite the urbanization process in order to support NU in the implementation and achievement of CEIR.

Keywords: Carbon emissions intensity reduction (CEIR); Difference-in-difference model (DID); New urbanization policy (NU).