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Environmental dividends of population migration: The collaborative reduction of pollutant and carbon emissions

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  • Bu, Yan
  • Zhang, Bole
  • Wang, Ziteng

Abstract

Large-scale interregional population migration (PM) in China exerts a profound impact on the environment, and how PM affects the Collaborative Reduction of Pollutant and Carbon Emissions (CRPC) has become a critical issue in environmental economics. Using panel data from 278 Chinese cities (2006–2021) and quantifying CRPC through a marginal abatement cost approach, this study shows that PM significantly promotes CRPC. The effect is more pronounced in cities governed by local-origin officials, those included in key environmental protection programs, and those with a healthier government-business relationship. From a full production-process perspective, PM fosters CRPC improvement through three interconnected pathways: enhancing green innovation capacity (source prevention), optimizing labor allocation (process optimization), and facilitating industrial agglomeration (end-of-pipe governance). Talent introduction policies further reinforce these mechanisms. Further analysis reveals that relaxing hukou restrictions amplifies the environmental dividend of migration, and that this migration-induced dividend materializes only when local R&D intensity exceeds a threshold of 1.92%.

Suggested Citation

  • Bu, Yan & Zhang, Bole & Wang, Ziteng, 2026. "Environmental dividends of population migration: The collaborative reduction of pollutant and carbon emissions," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:159:y:2026:i:c:s0140988326002884
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2026.109409
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