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Can New Quality Productivity Drive the Low-Carbon Transformation of Carbon-Intensive Industries? Macro and Micro Evidence from China

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  • Hui Wang

    (School of Economics and Management, Leshan Normal University, Leshan 614000, China
    Western Experimental Research Base of Development Economics of China, Leshan 614000, China)

  • Jie Zhou

    (School of Economics and Management, Leshan Normal University, Leshan 614000, China)

  • Kuiying Gu

    (School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
    Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Feng Dong

    (School of Economics and Management, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066000, China)

Abstract

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions within carbon-intensive industries is a critical strategy to effectively combat global warming. The accelerated cultivation and enhancement of new quality productivity has created new momentum directed towards industrial low-carbon transformation. Using data from a sample of Chinese provinces and enterprises between 2011 and 2022, this study quantifies, evaluates, and explores the influence and mechanisms of new quality productivity on the low-carbon transformation of carbon-intensive industries. The research findings show that: (1) Fostering new quality productivity effectively promotes the low-carbon transformation of carbon-intensive industries and plays a positive, empowering role. Industrial innovation, digital stimulation, technological innovation, and green empowerment all support the low-carbon transformation of carbon-intensive industries, with their respective impacts gradually decreasing in turn. (2) Mechanism analysis confirms a chain transmission mechanism of “new quality productivity—environmental protection investment—green innovation—the transformation of carbon-intensive industries” at the macro-provincial level. In micro-level carbon-intensive enterprises, a positive U-shaped relationship between new quality productivity and low-carbon transformation of carbon-intensive industries is evident, and the main pathways include increasing low-carbon, energy-saving investment and improving the ESG performance of high-carbon emission enterprises. (3) Advancing transformation is more pronounced in central and western areas, high-carbon areas, non-carbon trading pilot areas, and non-energy-rich ecologically fragile areas. The government and enterprises should take advantage of the development opportunities of new quality productivity and adopt low-carbon behaviors to promote transformational development.

Suggested Citation

  • Hui Wang & Jie Zhou & Kuiying Gu & Feng Dong, 2025. "Can New Quality Productivity Drive the Low-Carbon Transformation of Carbon-Intensive Industries? Macro and Micro Evidence from China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:13:p:3278-:d:1685723
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