IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/trapol/v130y2023icp55-67.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Railway opening and carbon emissions in distressed areas: Evidence from China's state-level poverty-stricken counties

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Yongpei
  • Guan, Zhongyu
  • Zhang, Qian

Abstract

Although the economic and environmental effects of railways have been well documented, most of these involve economically developed cities and rarely focus on poor and remote counties. Thus, the goal of this paper is to take county-level panel data covering the period 1997–2017 to explore the role of railway opening on carbon emissions in those state-level poverty-stricken (SPS) counties. Compared with SPS counties without opening of railway, those SPS counties with railway opening, especially high-speed railway opening, have achieved significant carbon reduction benefits. The intermediary mechanism reveals that railway opening brings a lot of carbon emissions by promoting economic growth, although they are offset by the low-carbon and environmental protection characteristics of the railway itself. Measures should be taken to avoid environmental damage associated with economic growth brought by railway opening while building and upgrading railway system in SPS counties.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Yongpei & Guan, Zhongyu & Zhang, Qian, 2023. "Railway opening and carbon emissions in distressed areas: Evidence from China's state-level poverty-stricken counties," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 55-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:130:y:2023:i:c:p:55-67
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2022.11.003
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967070X22003079
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tranpol.2022.11.003?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chiambaretto, Paul & Decker, Christopher, 2012. "Air–rail intermodal agreements: Balancing the competition and environmental effects," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 36-40.
    2. Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa & Smyth, Russell, 2019. "Transport poverty and subjective wellbeing," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 40-54.
    3. Vickerman, Roger, 2018. "Can high-speed rail have a transformative effect on the economy?," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 31-37.
    4. Liu, Liwen & Zhang, Ming, 2018. "High-speed rail impacts on travel times, accessibility, and economic productivity: A benchmarking analysis in city-cluster regions of China," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 25-40.
    5. Medeiros, Victor & Ribeiro, Rafael Saulo Marques & Amaral, Pedro Vasconcelos Maia do, 2021. "Infrastructure and household poverty in Brazil: A regional approach using multilevel models," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    6. Thorsten Beck & Ross Levine & Alexey Levkov, 2010. "Big Bad Banks? The Winners and Losers from Bank Deregulation in the United States," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 65(5), pages 1637-1667, October.
    7. D’Alfonso, Tiziana & Jiang, Changmin & Bracaglia, Valentina, 2016. "Air transport and high-speed rail competition: Environmental implications and mitigation strategies," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 261-276.
    8. Jia, Shanming & Zhou, Chunyu & Qin, Chenglin, 2017. "No difference in effect of high-speed rail on regional economic growth based on match effect perspective?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 144-157.
    9. Shi, Wenming & Lin, Kun-Chin & McLaughlin, Heather & Qi, Guanqiu & Jin, Mengjie, 2020. "Spatial distribution of job opportunities in China: Evidence from the opening of the high-speed rail," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 138-147.
    10. Lin, Boqiang & Chen, Yu, 2020. "Will land transport infrastructure affect the energy and carbon dioxide emissions performance of China’s manufacturing industry?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    11. Cao, Jing & Liu, Xiaoyue Cathy & Wang, Yinhai & Li, Qingquan, 2013. "Accessibility impacts of China’s high-speed rail network," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 12-21.
    12. Liu, Shuli & Wan, Yulai & Zhang, Anming, 2020. "Does China’s high-speed rail development lead to regional disparities? A network perspective," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 299-321.
    13. Jin, Mengjie & Lin, Kun-Chin & Shi, Wenming & Lee, Paul T.W. & Li, Kevin X., 2020. "Impacts of high-speed railways on economic growth and disparity in China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 158-171.
    14. Li, Xiang & Cheng, Zhonghua, 2022. "Does high-speed rail improve urban carbon emission efficiency in China?," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    15. Cardenete, M.A. & López-Cabaco, R., 2021. "Economic and environmental impact of the new Mediterranean Rail Corridor in Andalusia: A dynamic CGE approach," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 25-34.
    16. Sheng Yang & Ling-Yun He, 2016. "Transport pollution in China – Evidence from Beijing," Energy & Environment, , vol. 27(3-4), pages 377-388, May.
    17. Sun, Chuanwang & Zhang, Wenyue & Luo, Yuan & Xu, Yonghong, 2019. "The improvement and substitution effect of transportation infrastructure on air quality: An empirical evidence from China's rail transit construction," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 949-957.
    18. Duan, Liaoliao & Sun, Weizeng & Zheng, Siqi, 2020. "Transportation network and venture capital mobility: An analysis of air travel and high-speed rail in China," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    19. Huang, Guobin & Zhang, Jie & Yu, Jian & Shi, Xunpeng, 2020. "Impact of transportation infrastructure on industrial pollution in Chinese cities: A spatial econometric analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    20. Chang, Zheng & Diao, Mi & Jing, Kecen & Li, Weifeng, 2021. "High-speed rail and industrial movement: Evidence from China's Greater Bay Area," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 22-31.
    21. Benevenuto, Rodolfo & Caulfield, Brian, 2019. "Poverty and transport in the global south: An overview," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 115-124.
    22. Ülengin, Füsun & Işık, Mine & Ekici, Şule Önsel & Özaydın, Özay & Kabak, Özgür & Topçu, Y. İlker, 2018. "Policy developments for the reduction of climate change impacts by the transportation sector," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 36-50.
    23. Erdogan, Sinan & Fatai Adedoyin, Festus & Victor Bekun, Festus & Asumadu Sarkodie, Samuel, 2020. "Testing the transport-induced environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis: The role of air and railway transport," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    24. Hongchang Li & Jack Strauss & Lihong Liu, 2019. "A Panel Investigation of High-Speed Rail (HSR) and Urban Transport on China’s Carbon Footprint," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-24, April.
    25. Li, Hao & Guo, Huanxiu, 2021. "Spatial spillovers of pollution via high-speed rail network in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 138-152.
    26. Cavallaro, Federico & Bruzzone, Francesco & Nocera, Silvio, 2020. "Spatial and social equity implications for High-Speed Railway lines in Northern Italy," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 327-340.
    27. Chen, Zhenhua & Xue, Junbo & Rose, Adam Z. & Haynes, Kingsley E., 2016. "The impact of high-speed rail investment on economic and environmental change in China: A dynamic CGE analysis," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 232-245.
    28. Kong, Qunxi & Shen, Chenrong & Li, Rongrong & Wong, Zoey, 2021. "High-speed railway opening and urban green productivity in the post-COVID-19: Evidence from green finance," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    29. Strauss, Jack & Li, Hongchang & Cui, Jinli, 2021. "High-speed Rail's impact on airline demand and air carbon emissions in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 85-97.
    30. Li, Hongchang & Strauss, Jack & Shunxiang, Hu & Lui, Lu, 2018. "Do high-speed railways lead to urban economic growth in China? A panel data study of China’s cities," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 70-89.
    31. Shujie Yao & Fan Zhang & Feng Wang & Jinghua Ou, 2019. "Regional economic growth and the role of high-speed rail in China," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(32), pages 3465-3479, July.
    32. Lalive, Rafael & Luechinger, Simon & Schmutzler, Armin, 2018. "Does expanding regional train service reduce air pollution?," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 744-764.
    33. Shaw, Shih-Lung & Fang, Zhixiang & Lu, Shiwei & Tao, Ran, 2014. "Impacts of high speed rail on railroad network accessibility in China," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 112-122.
    34. Ke, Xiao & Chen, Haiqiang & Hong, Yongmiao & Hsiao, Cheng, 2017. "Do China's high-speed-rail projects promote local economy?—New evidence from a panel data approach," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 203-226.
    35. Canale, Rosaria Rita & Liotti, Giorgio & Marani, Ugo, 2019. "Structural public balance adjustment and poverty in Europe," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 227-236.
    36. Liang, Yutian & Zhou, Keyang & Li, Xun & Zhou, Zhengke & Sun, Wei & Zeng, Jiaqi, 2020. "Effectiveness of high-speed railway on regional economic growth for less developed areas," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    37. Linna Li & Becky P.Y. Loo, 2017. "Railway Development And Air Patronage In China, 1993–2012: Implications For Low‐Carbon Transport," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(3), pages 507-522, June.
    38. Li, Chunying & Zhang, Jinning & Lyu, Yanwei, 2022. "Does the opening of China railway express promote urban total factor productivity? New evidence based on SDID and SDDD model," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    39. Diao, Mi, 2018. "Does growth follow the rail? The potential impact of high-speed rail on the economic geography of China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 279-290.
    40. Rashid Khan, Haroon Ur & Siddique, Muhammad & Zaman, Khalid & Yousaf, Sheikh Usman & Shoukry, Alaa Mohamd & Gani, Showkat & Sasmoko, & Khan, Aqeel & Hishan, Sanil S. & Saleem, Hummera, 2018. "The impact of air transportation, railways transportation, and port container traffic on energy demand, customs duty, and economic growth: Evidence from a panel of low-, middle-, and high -income coun," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 18-35.
    41. Saidi, Samir & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Akhtar, Pervaiz, 2018. "The long-run relationships between transport energy consumption, transport infrastructure, and economic growth in MENA countries," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 78-95.
    42. Lin, Yatang, 2017. "Travel costs and urban specialization patterns: Evidence from China’s high speed railway system," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 98-123.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chen, Fanglin & Hao, Xinyue & Chen, Zhongfei, 2021. "Can high-speed rail improve health and alleviate health inequality? Evidence from China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 266-279.
    2. Jin, Mengjie & Lin, Kun-Chin & Shi, Wenming & Lee, Paul T.W. & Li, Kevin X., 2020. "Impacts of high-speed railways on economic growth and disparity in China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 158-171.
    3. Liu, Mengsha & Jiang, Yan & Wei, Xiaokun & Ruan, Qingsong & Lv, Dayong, 2023. "Effect of high-speed rail on entrepreneurial activities: Evidence from China," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 87(PA).
    4. Jin, Wenwan & Zhu, Shengjun, 2023. "High-speed rail network and regional convergence/divergence in industrial structure," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 87(PA).
    5. Yuan, Liang & Fan, Xiaoming, 2023. "As a Chinese saying goes, ‘To get rich, first pave the way’: The opening of high-speed rail and automobile consumption in China," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    6. Li, Xiaolong & Wu, Zongfa & Zhao, Xingchen, 2020. "Economic effect and its disparity of high speed rail in China: A study of mechanism based on synthesis control method," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 262-274.
    7. Cascetta, Ennio & Cartenì, Armando & Henke, Ilaria & Pagliara, Francesca, 2020. "Economic growth, transport accessibility and regional equity impacts of high-speed railways in Italy: ten years ex post evaluation and future perspectives," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 412-428.
    8. Jinxing Hu & Guojie Ma & Chaohai Shen & Xiaolan Zhou, 2022. "Impact of Urbanization through High-Speed Rail on Regional Development with the Interaction of Socioeconomic Factors: A View of Regional Industrial Structure," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-21, October.
    9. Weidong Li & Xuefang Wang & Olli-Pekka Hilmola, 2020. "Does High-Speed Railway Influence Convergence of Urban-Rural Income Gap in China?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-14, May.
    10. Yang, Zhiwei & Li, Can & Jiao, Jingjuan & Liu, Wei & Zhang, Fangni, 2020. "On the joint impact of high-speed rail and megalopolis policy on regional economic growth in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 20-30.
    11. Di Matteo, Dante & Mariotti, Ilaria & Rossi, Federica, 2023. "Transport infrastructure and economic performance: An evaluation of the Milan-Bologna high-speed rail corridor," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    12. Li, Hui & Dong, Xiucheng & Jiang, Qingzhe & Dong, Kangyin, 2021. "Policy analysis for high-speed rail in China: Evolution, evaluation, and expectation," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 37-53.
    13. Jin, Mengjie & Shi, Wenming & Liu, Yu & Xu, Xiaoling & Li, Kevin X., 2022. "Heterogeneous impact of high speed railway on income distribution: A case study in China," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    14. Hu, Zhibin & Wu, Guangdong & Han, Yilong & Niu, Yanliang, 2023. "Unraveling the dynamic changes of high-speed rail network with urban development: Evidence from China," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    15. Lan, Xiujuan & Hu, Zheneng & Wen, Chuanhao, 2023. "Does the opening of high-speed rail enhance urban entrepreneurial activity? Evidence from China," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    16. Sun, Xinyu & Yan, Sen & Liu, Tao & Wang, Jiayin, 2023. "The impact of high-speed rail on urban economy: Synergy with urban agglomeration policy," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 141-154.
    17. Li, Bin & Zhao, Qizi & Shahab, Yasir & Kumar, Satish, 2023. "High-speed rail construction and labor investment efficiency: Evidence from an emerging market," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    18. Jiao, Jingjuan & Wang, Jiaoe & Zhang, Fangni & Jin, Fengjun & Liu, Wei, 2020. "Roles of accessibility, connectivity and spatial interdependence in realizing the economic impact of high-speed rail: Evidence from China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 1-15.
    19. Li, Hao & Guo, Huanxiu, 2021. "Spatial spillovers of pollution via high-speed rail network in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 138-152.
    20. Chen, Jun, 2021. "High-speed rail and energy consumption in China: The intermediary roles of industry and technology," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:130:y:2023:i:c:p:55-67. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/30473/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.