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Spatial spillover effect of green credit on carbon emission intensity in China: The role of high-quality productive forces

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  • Fan, Zhenqi
  • Cui, Jie
  • Wu, Wenjing

Abstract

This study investigates spatial spillover effects of green credit on carbon emission intensity, emphasizing transmission mechanisms and regional heterogeneity. Existing research lacks a multidimensional analysis of the spatial nonlinear effects of the green credit on carbon intensity. Using 2007–2022 data from 165 Chinese cities, we employ a Solow model with green dimension and empirically test it using a spatial Durbin model. Our analysis reveals an inverted N-shaped relationship between green credit and carbon emission intensity in both local and neighboring cities, highlighting the transmission of spatial spillover effects through high-quality productive forces and industrial structure upgrading. Additionally, heterogeneity analysis reveals that the inverse N-shaped spatial spillover effect exists in resource-based cities and the central region. These findings offer new insights for understanding the spatial impacts of green credit and provide implications for designing differentiated carbon governance policies for resource-based cities and central areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Fan, Zhenqi & Cui, Jie & Wu, Wenjing, 2026. "Spatial spillover effect of green credit on carbon emission intensity in China: The role of high-quality productive forces," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:154:y:2026:i:c:s0264999325003475
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2025.107352
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