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Environmental Regulations and Chinese Energy Sustainability: Mediating Role of Green Technology Innovations in Chinese Provinces

Author

Listed:
  • Lijuan Su

    (School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Yating Zheng

    (School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Fayyaz Ahmad

    (School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Ilhan Ozturk

    (College of Business Administration, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
    Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, Nisantasi University, Istanbul 34100, Turkey
    Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan)

  • Yatao Wang

    (School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Tian Tian

    (School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Abdul Rehman

    (College of Economics and Management, Henan Agriculture University, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

Abstract

The stable growth of an economy is based on the coordination between environmental protection and economic development. Environmental regulation may affect energy efficiency because of its function of correcting energy consumption externalities. This paper uses the SBM model and Tobit model to explore the impact on and pathways of environmental regulations of energy efficiency in 30 provincial-level administrative regions in China and explains temporal and regional heterogeneity. The findings suggested that the environmental regulation in all provinces is continuously strengthened and the energy efficiency in eastern China is relatively higher. There is a positive effect of environmental regulation on energy efficiency and there is a temporal and spatial heterogeneity. Environmental regulation affects energy efficiency through green technology innovation, industrial structure upgrading, energy structure transformation and other transmission paths, and its influence mechanism on energy efficiency also has regional heterogeneity. The policy suggestions are: further enhance the intensity of environmental regulation, refine supporting safeguards and implement differentiated environmental regulation measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Lijuan Su & Yating Zheng & Fayyaz Ahmad & Ilhan Ozturk & Yatao Wang & Tian Tian & Abdul Rehman, 2023. "Environmental Regulations and Chinese Energy Sustainability: Mediating Role of Green Technology Innovations in Chinese Provinces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:8950-:d:1162222
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    References listed on IDEAS

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