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Green Public Procurement and Its Influence on Urban Carbon Emission Intensity: Spatial Spillovers Across 285 Prefectural Cities in China

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  • Li Wang

    (School of Public Policy and Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Hongxuan Wu

    (School of Public Policy and Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Jian Zhang

    (School of Public Policy and Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

Abstract

Green public procurement (GPP) is a pivotal policy instrument for advancing urban low-carbon transitions. Using panel data from 285 Chinese cities (2015–2023), this study employs a panel fixed-effects model, mediation analysis, and spatial Durbin model to assess the impact, influencing mechanisms, and spatial spillover effects of GPP on urban carbon emissions intensity. The key findings reveal the following: (1) a 1% increase in GPP implementation is associated with a 1.360% reduction in local urban carbon emissions intensity. (2) GPP reduces urban carbon emissions intensity through urban green innovation, corporate sustainability performance, and public ecological awareness. (3) GPP exhibits significant cross-boundary spillovers, where a 1% reduction in local carbon emissions intensity induced by GPP leads to a 14.510% decline in that in neighboring cities. These results provide robust empirical evidence for integrating GPP into the urban climate governance framework. Furthermore, our findings offer practical insights for optimizing the implementation of GPP policies and strengthen regional cooperation in carbon reduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Wang & Hongxuan Wu & Jian Zhang, 2025. "Green Public Procurement and Its Influence on Urban Carbon Emission Intensity: Spatial Spillovers Across 285 Prefectural Cities in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-27, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:8:p:1545-:d:1711282
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    References listed on IDEAS

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