The Carbon Emission Reduction Effects of the Quality and Quantity of R&D Activities: Evidence from Chinese Provinces

Aimin Li () and Qiang Hu
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Aimin Li: Business School, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
Qiang Hu: China Internet Network Information Center, Beijing 100190, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-18

Abstract: Research and Development (R&D) have significant impacts on carbon emissions, yet the specific data on R&D capital stock and carbon emissions have not been released by Chinese officials, hindering in-depth analysis. In light of this, this study calculates the R&D capital stock of Chinese provinces based on the SNA2008 framework and the BEA method, and estimates the carbon emissions from energy consumption and cement production using the carbon emission factor method. It then examines the carbon emission reduction effects of the quality and quantity of R&D activities at the provincial level. We find that the quality of R&D activities has a significant carbon emission reduction effect, which is stronger in regions with high levels of economic growth and marketization, and this effect strengthens over time. Moreover, mechanism analysis shows that both the quality and quantity of R&D activities reduce carbon emissions by promoting industrial structure upgrading. This paper expands the analytical approach and framework for the carbon reduction effects of R&D activities and offers significant policy and practical implications.

Keywords: R&D capital stock; carbon emissions; carbon emission reduction effect; industrial structure upgrading (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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