The spatial spillover and nonlinear effects of green technology innovation on regional energy intensity in China

Journal article

Green technology innovation (GTI) helps to promote the transformation of energy development and achieve low-carbon development. This paper evaluates the effect of GTI on energy intensity (EI) using a sample of China's provincial panel data from 2001 to 2019. First, using a mediation effect model, we study the potential pathways of GTI that affect EI. Moreover, we examine whether the GTI has a spatial spillover and threshold effect by using the spatial econometric model and threshold regression. The results show that there is a positive effect of GTI on reducing EI, and this effect is partly realized through the industrial structure transformation and upgrading. In addition, the influence has a spatial spillover effect between regions. Finally, we find that GTI has heterogeneous effects on EI due to differences in regional economic development levels.

Authors: Zeng, S; Su, B; Fu, X; Li, G; Zhong, Z

• Publication status: Accepted
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Journal: Regional Studies
• Acceptance date: 2023-06-16
• EISSN: 1360-0591
• ISSN: 0034-3404
• Language: English
• Keywords: energy intensity; spatial spillover effect; mediation effect; threshold effect; FFR; green technology innovation