School of Economics, Nanjing Audit University, Nanjing 211815, China.
School of Economics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 23;19(23):15563. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192315563.
This study uses the low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) policy as a quasi-natural experiment, combined with the panel data of 281 prefecture-level and above cities in China from 2003 to 2018, and the difference-in-differences model to investigate the specific impact and mechanism of the LCCP on regional energy efficiency. The study showed that LCCP policies can significantly improve regional energy efficiency. The heterogeneity test found that, for cities with larger scales, high pollutant emission intensities, and fewer financial constraints, the implementation of LCCP policies could effectively improve energy efficiency. Based on the mechanical test of the technological progress path, it was concluded that LCCP policies could effectively improve energy efficiency by promoting technological innovation and transformation of enterprises. In the field of technological innovation, implementing LCCP policies helps promote green technological innovation, as well as increasing bias. Furthermore, this study evaluates the emission reduction effects of LCCP policies. The results found that, although LCCP could reduce regional carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency, the impact of energy rebound dramatically reduced the emission reduction effects of LCCP. This study provides empirical evidence and policy enlightenment for China's accelerating "carbon-peak" and "carbon-neutral" goals.
本研究利用低碳城市试点（LCCP）政策作为准自然实验，结合 2003 年至 2018 年中国 281 个地级及以上城市的面板数据，采用双重差分模型，考察了 LCCP 对区域能源效率的具体影响和作用机制。研究表明，LCCP 政策能够显著提高区域能源效率。异质性检验发现，对于规模较大、污染物排放强度较高、财政约束较少的城市，实施 LCCP 政策能够有效提高能源效率。基于技术进步路径的机理检验得出，LCCP 政策能够通过促进企业技术创新和转型有效提高能源效率。在技术创新领域，实施 LCCP 政策有助于推动绿色技术创新，同时增加偏向性。此外，本研究还评估了 LCCP 政策的减排效果。结果发现，虽然 LCCP 通过提高能源效率可以降低区域碳排放，但能源回弹效应却显著降低了 LCCP 的减排效果。本研究为中国加快实现“碳达峰”和“碳中和”目标提供了经验证据和政策启示。
