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The impact of environmental regulation on enterprise green innovation

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  • Kun, Qin
  • Chang, Yao
  • Runkai, Niu

Abstract

This paper evaluates the real effects of the environmental regulation at the firm level. Using the implementation of Chinese Air Pollution Prevention and Control in 2013 as a quasi-natural experiment,difference-in-differences estimation shows that: (1) environmental regulation significantly improve the application of green innovation by firms, and this relationship is robust to different specifications and alternative measures; (2) three possible channels are the improved levels of the environmental protection subsidy, total factor productivity (TFP) and environmental protection investment of enterprises; (3) our findings are particularly pronounced in subsamples with the application of utility green innovation and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Overall, this paper reveals the micro-mechanisms behind the real effects of environmental regulation on firm green innovation, thus providing timely implications for regulators concerned with environmental protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Kun, Qin & Chang, Yao & Runkai, Niu, 2024. "The impact of environmental regulation on enterprise green innovation," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 1933-1944.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:84:y:2024:i:c:p:1933-1944
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2024.11.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lan, Minghui & Zhang, Guangli & Yan, Wei & Qi, Fen & Qin, Lihua, 2024. "Greening through courts:Environmental law enforcement and corporate green innovation," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 223-242.
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    5. Liu, Baoliu & Cifuentes-Faura, Javier & Ding, Chante Jian & Liu, Xiaoqian, 2023. "Toward carbon neutrality: How will environmental regulatory policies affect corporate green innovation?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1006-1020.
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    1. Wang, Liping & Chen, Longjun & Jin, Shucen & Li, Chuang, 2025. "Forecasting the green behaviour level of Chinese enterprises: A conjoined application of the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and multi-scenario simulation," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).

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