Investigation of Diverse Urban Carbon Emission Reduction Pathways in China: Based on the Technology–Organization–Environment Framework for Promoting Socio-Environmental Sustainability

Haiyan Jiang, Jiaxi Lu, Ruidong Zhang and Xi Xiao ()
Additional contact information
Haiyan Jiang: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510090, China
Jiaxi Lu: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510090, China
Ruidong Zhang: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510090, China
Xi Xiao: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510090, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-32

Abstract: In the context of global carbon emissions and climate change, identifying context-specific low-carbon pathways for urban areas is critical for achieving socio-environmental sustainability. This study applies the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework to examine the driving mechanisms and the diversity in carbon reduction pathways across 81 cities in China. Utilizing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and necessary condition analysis (NCA), this research assesses the roles of technological, organizational, and environmental drivers in urban carbon reduction. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is employed to uncover distinct carbon reduction pathways and causal asymmetries between cities. The findings reveal that technological, organizational, and environmental factors significantly drive carbon reduction, with technological and organizational factors playing the central roles. Environmental factors exert primarily indirect effects, interacting with technological and organizational drivers. This study categorizes cities into three distinct carbon reduction models: cities with high carbon-neutral potential primarily leverage technological innovation and energy efficiency optimization; cities with moderate potential integrate technology and policy, emphasizing green landscape planning to achieve balanced development; and cities with lower carbon reduction potential are mainly policy-driven, constrained by technological and resource limitations. This study underscores the role of computational modeling in providing valuable insights for the development of context-tailored carbon reduction strategies. It highlights the synergetic interactions among technological, organizational, and environmental factors, offering essential guidance for advancing sustainable development planning and facilitating the low-carbon transition of cities and communities.

Keywords: urban carbon neutrality; carbon reduction; climate change; carbon emissions; technology–organization–environment framework; fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/260/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/260/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:260-:d:1577633

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().