Low-carbon city pilot policy and enterprise low-carbon innovation–A quasi-natural experiment from China

Yonggen Luo, Yue Liu, Deli Wang and Wenqi Han

Economic Analysis and Policy, 2024, vol. 83, issue C, 204-222

Abstract: This study investigates whether the implementation of this policy fosters low-carbon innovation amongst enterprises and identifies the mechanisms underpinning its effects. Utilising low-carbon patent authorisation data from A-share listed companies in the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets between 2008 and 2019, this study employs a difference-in-differences model to conduct a multi-dimensional empirical examination of these questions. The findings indicate that the low-carbon city pilot policy can stimulate low-carbon innovation at the enterprise level to a certain extent, and this conclusion remains robust after a series of rigorous tests. The impact of low-carbon innovation is more pronounced in the authorisation of invention patents, with the pilot policy exerting a more significant influence on state-owned enterprises and enterprises with strong political affiliations. Further analysis reveals that government subsidies constitute the primary mechanism through which the pilot policy takes effect, effectively promoting low-carbon innovation in enterprises. This paper offers theoretical and empirical support for evaluating the low-carbon city pilot policy at the enterprise level and advances policy implications in three areas: further policy development, enterprise characteristics, and the application of various policy instruments.

Keywords: Low-carbon city pilot policy; Low-carbon innovation; Difference-in-differences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:83:y:2024:i:c:p:204-222

DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2024.06.014

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