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Does Environmental Regulation Promote Corporate Green Innovation? Empirical Evidence from Chinese Carbon Capture Companies

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  • Hong Chen

    (College of Political Science and Law of Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China)

  • Haowen Zhu

    (International School of Law and Finance, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai 200042, China)

  • Tianchen Sun

    (Law School, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai 200042, China)

  • Xiangyu Chen

    (International School of Law and Finance, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai 200042, China)

  • Tao Wang

    (College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
    UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Wenhong Li

    (Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property, Tongji University, Shanghai 200042, China)

Abstract

The proposal of the “double carbon” goal of “carbon peak, carbon neutralization” highlights the determination of China’s green and low-carbon development. Carbon capture is one of the essential ways to reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and cope with climate change. Then, how to improve the green innovation capability of organizations and promote the transformation and upgrading of enterprises with green development is a practical problem that needs to be dealt with quickly. This paper uses multiple linear regression to investigate the impact of environmental regulation on corporate green innovation and explores the mediating effect of corporate environmental investment and the moderating effect of corporate digital transformation. The analysis results show that government environmental regulation can effectively enhance the green innovation of enterprises and environmental investments play an intermediary role. However, the development of environmental regulation in China is still relatively backward, and its positive incentive role needs to be further played. As a result, the government should strengthen environmental legislation while also accelerating system development, increasing corporate investment in environmental protection, and raising protection awareness among companies using digital network technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Hong Chen & Haowen Zhu & Tianchen Sun & Xiangyu Chen & Tao Wang & Wenhong Li, 2023. "Does Environmental Regulation Promote Corporate Green Innovation? Empirical Evidence from Chinese Carbon Capture Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:2:p:1640-:d:1035914
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    2. Yujia Liu & Ligang Liu & Ying Li, 2023. "Executive Hometown Identity and Green Innovation in Enterprises of Heavy Polluting Industries—A Dual Perspective Based on Conscious Motivation and Resource Access," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Zhilong Qin & Chao Tu & Weihui Han & Qintong Jiang, 2024. "The impact of market-incentive environmental regulation policies on corporate environmental costs: Evidence from China’s carbon trading policy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(2), pages 1-20, February.
    4. Xiaoxu Zhang & Xinyu Du, 2023. "Industry and Regional Peer Effects in Corporate Digital Transformation: The Moderating Effects of TMT Characteristics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-22, March.

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