Spatial Spillover Effect of Heterogeneous Green Innovations on Carbon Emissions: Evidence from Yangtze River Delta Region of China

Jia Wang; Sihui Juan

doi:10.31181/ijes1612027295

Authors

Jia Wang School of E-commerce and Logistics, Suzhou Institute of Trade & Commerce, Suzhou, China Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6191-4107
Sihui Juan School of E-commerce and Logistics, Suzhou Institute of Trade & Commerce, Suzhou, China Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0551-5329

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31181/ijes1612027295

Keywords:

Heterogeneous green innovation, Carbon emissions, Spatial spillover effect, Spatial econometric model, Green technology, Environmental innovation, Public R&D investment

Abstract

Green innovation is widely recognized as an effective pathway for reconciling economic development with carbon emission reduction. However, there is still no consensus on the spatial relationship between green innovation (GI) and carbon emissions (CEs). To address this gap, this study uses panel data from China’s Yangtze River Delta region to examine the spatial spillover effects of GI and its subcomponents on CEs, as well as the role of public R&D investment in this relationship. The findings reveal a non-intuitive and spatially asymmetric effect of GI. Specifically, GI tends to increase CEs in the region where innovation occurs while reducing CEs in neighboring cities. Moreover, the impacts of green technologies (GTs) on CEs vary across regions and channels. Innovation in GTs, indirect CE reduction mechanisms, and direct CE reduction effects all exhibit significant regional spillover impacts on CEs. The results further show that public R&D investment, both locally and through spatial spillovers, weakens the relationship between GI and CEs. This study contributes to the literature by advancing the understanding of how different forms of green technological progress generate heterogeneous spatial spillover effects on CEs. It is among the first to systematically examine how public R&D investment moderates the relationship between GT and CEs. From a policy perspective, the findings provide practical insights into strengthening regional green innovation capacity while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions within an integrated development framework.

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