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

Huaxing Wang, Chuan Chen, Zhiqiao Xiong and Dandan Li ()
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Huaxing Wang: Guanghua Law School, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
Chuan Chen: School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
Zhiqiao Xiong: School of Economics and Management, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410005, China
Dandan Li: School of Low-Carbon Economics, Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan 430000, China

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-16

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 CO 2 reduction effect, mechanisms, and synergistic elements of LCCP. The regression outcomes suggest that (1) LCCP significantly decreases CO 2 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 CO 2 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; carbon emission; carbon neutral mechanisms; synergistic effect; PSM-DID (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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