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Self-Sufficient Carbon Emission Reduction in Resource-Based Cities: Evidence of Green Technology Innovation

Author

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  • Yaping Wang

    (College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China)

  • Hongxiao Zhao

    (College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China)

  • Dan Wang

    (College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China)

  • Yu Cheng

    (College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China)

Abstract

Green technology innovation (GTI) is crucial for achieving synergistic development in reducing pollution and carbon emissions (CEs). The spatio-temporal evolutionary aspects of carbon emission intensity (CEI) in resource-based cities (RBCs) and the heterogeneity of the carbon emission reduction effects of GTI from zoning, grading, and classification perspectives are investigated using kernel density estimation, Markov chains, and panel regression models. Our results are as follows: the CEI of RBCs displays a fluctuating downwards trend from 2006 to 2022. Spatially, the main feature is that the north is higher than the south. Second, GTI has significantly reduced the CEI of RBCs through structural optimization, energy savings, and efficiency improvement, as verified in different development stages and dominant resource types. In addition, national high-tech zones (NHTZs) have significantly contributed to reducing CEI in RBCs. The proposed countermeasures include increasing investment in GTI, establishing an exchange platform for GTI, and implementing differentiated policies according to local conditions, which are important for constructing an ecological civilization in RBCs.

Suggested Citation

  • Yaping Wang & Hongxiao Zhao & Dan Wang & Yu Cheng, 2025. "Self-Sufficient Carbon Emission Reduction in Resource-Based Cities: Evidence of Green Technology Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:5075-:d:1669866
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    References listed on IDEAS

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