Cao Dongqin, Si Lijuan, Yang Guanglei, Zhang Hongying
School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
School of Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
Heliyon. 2023 Sep 9;9(9):e19836. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19836. eCollection 2023 Sep.
Renewable energy technological innovation (RETI) is of great significance in reducing carbon emissions. A deeper understanding of the impact of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection on the carbon reduction effect of RETI can provide policymakers with more specific information. Using the dataset from 30 provinces in China during 2007-2018, we provide a detailed analysis of the moderating role of IPR protection in RETI's impact on carbon emissions. The results suggest that RETI has a significant carbon reduction effect, but this effect is not substantial in hydropower technological innovation. Moreover, we find that IPR protection moderates the impact of RETI on carbon emissions; increased levels of IPR protection can enhance RETI's carbon mitigation effect. Specifically, this positive moderating effect is only evidenced in the high energy self-sufficiency ratio and eastern regions, and it diminishes as carbon emissions increase. However, we do not find any evidence that IPR protection moderates the impact of energy storage technological innovation on carbon emissions.
可再生能源技术创新（RETI）在减少碳排放方面具有重要意义。深入了解知识产权（IPR）保护对RETI碳减排效果的影响，可以为政策制定者提供更具体的信息。利用2007 - 2018年中国30个省份的数据集，我们详细分析了知识产权保护在RETI对碳排放影响中的调节作用。结果表明，RETI具有显著的碳减排效果，但这种效果在水电技术创新中并不显著。此外，我们发现知识产权保护调节了RETI对碳排放的影响；知识产权保护水平的提高可以增强RETI的碳减排效果。具体而言，这种正向调节作用仅在高能源自给率地区和东部地区得到体现，并且随着碳排放的增加而减弱。然而，我们没有发现任何证据表明知识产权保护调节了储能技术创新对碳排放的影响。
