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eISSN: 2083-5906
ISSN: 1230-1485
ISSN: 1230-1485
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Can Environmental Regulation Lower Carbon
Intensity? A Dynamic Spatial Analysis
1
School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China
2
School of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
Submission date: 2024-11-15
Final revision date: 2025-02-07
Acceptance date: 2025-04-19
Online publication date: 2025-06-04
Corresponding author
Fengyun Liu
School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China
School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China
KEYWORDS
environmental regulationcarbon intensityspatiotemporal interactionimpact mechanismregional disparity
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the carbon reduction effects of environmental regulation (ER) and its dynamic
spatial interactions by combining the Stochastic Impacts of Regression on Population, Affluence,
and Technology (STIRPAT) model with the dynamic spatial Durbin model (DSDM). The findings
indicate that ER can reduce carbon intensity (CI) in China, exhibiting significant spatiotemporal
interactions. The reduction is most noticeable in China’s eastern and middle regions but not
in the west. Moreover, the mechanism test shows that, in the short term, ER optimizes energy structure
(ES) and industrial structure (IS) and promotes technological innovation (Pat). Meanwhile, ES has
the best emission reduction effect (-20.54%), followed by Pat (-12.55%) and IS (-2.23%). Only Pat can
contribute to long-term pollution reductions. Specifically, the eastern region reduces CI primarily
through IS improvements, while the middle region achieves this mainly through ES adjustments.
Finally, the paper makes focused policy suggestions for effectively implementing ER to reduce CI
and promote high-quality economic development.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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