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Green Consumption, Environmental Regulation and Carbon Emissions—An Empirical Study Based on a PVAR Model

Author

Listed:
  • Dianwu Wang

    (School of Maritime Economics and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Zina Yu

    (School of Maritime Economics and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Haiying Liu

    (School of Maritime Economics and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Xianzhe Cai

    (School of Maritime Economics and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Zhiqun Zhang

    (School of Maritime Economics and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

Abstract

China’s proposed double carbon goal makes it urgent to promote green consumption and green lifestyles. The present study selected separate economic indicators of urban and rural areas and assigned different weights in the construction of a green consumption indicator system. Based on data from 30 provinces (excluding Tibet) between 2003 and 2019, this study investigated the connections between green consumption, environmental regulations, and carbon emissions, analyzing their mechanism. This study found that green consumption will reduce anthropogenic carbon emissions in the short term but will result in low carbon emissions in the long term. Environmental rules have a definite long-term impact on green consumption, as evidenced by the “U”-shaped trend they follow. Second, this study found that the level of green consumption exhibits a rising and then falling trend on the vegetation’s capacity to sequester carbon, and the impeding force will become stronger over time. Third, this study found that green consumption innately has a degree of inertia and self-enhancement bias.

Suggested Citation

  • Dianwu Wang & Zina Yu & Haiying Liu & Xianzhe Cai & Zhiqun Zhang, 2024. "Green Consumption, Environmental Regulation and Carbon Emissions—An Empirical Study Based on a PVAR Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:3:p:1024-:d:1326019
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Hung Vu Nguyen & Cuong Hung Nguyen & Thoa Thi Bao Hoang, 2019. "Green consumption: Closing the intention‐behavior gap," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(1), pages 118-129, January.
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    4. Daxue Kan & Wenqing Yao & Xia Liu & Lianju Lyu & Weichiao Huang, 2023. "Study on the Coordination of New Urbanization and Water Ecological Civilization and Its Driving Factors: Evidence from the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-24, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jing Zhao & Yaya Li & Tian Wu & Wen Jiang, 2025. "Can Public Environmental Concern Drive Changes in Residents’ Green Consumption Behavior?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-22, June.

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