Can R&D Intensity Reduce Carbon Emissions Intensity? Evidence from China

Abstract

Among the ways to reduce carbon emission intensity (CEI), increasing the intensity of research and development intensity (RDI) plays an important role in the process. In China, how RDI reduces CEI has attracted widespread attention. Most scholars have not considered spatial effects in the study of the correlation between RDI and CEI; therefore, this paper uses panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2007–2019 as a research sample to explore the spatial effects of RDI on CEI using spatial measures, analyzes the regulatory effects of the market and government in the process using the interaction effect model, and explores the role and mediating effects in the process of industrial upgrading, technological innovation and human capital effects using the mediating effect model. The empirical results illustrate that: (1) RDI and CEI have significant positive spatial autocorrelation. The spatial clustering characteristics of CEI have obvious regional differences. (2) RDI reduces the CEI of the local area while it has the same reducing effect on the CEI of the surrounding areas. The conclusion is robust. (3) The market and government play a facilitating role in RDI that affects CEI, but there are regional differences. (4) RDI can indirectly reduce CEI by promoting industrial upgrading, improving technological innovation, and increasing human capital. Finally, according to the research conclusions, the paper put forward policy suggestions: strengthen regional cooperation, guide funds into the research and development field, improve the business environment, promote technological innovation and train relevant talents. The research content and findings of this paper enrich the theories related to the influence of RDI on CEI, and have certain implications for future research on CEI based on spatial perspective.