Green Innovation and Biodiversity Conservation: Evidence from the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Green innovation has been widely regarded as an important driver of sustainable development; however, its implications for biodiversity conservation remain insufficiently explored. Existing studies primarily focus on the roles of green innovation in pollution control and energy efficiency, leaving its relationship with biodiversity outcomes largely understudied. This gap is particularly pronounced in regions experiencing intense ecological pressure, such as the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), where rapid industrialization and human activities have substantially altered ecosystems. Using panel data from 11 provinces in the YREB over the period 2017–2020, this study examines the impact of green innovation development on biodiversity. Employing a two-way fixed-effects model, the results indicate that green innovation development is positively associated with biodiversity conservation, and this association remains robust to a range of endogeneity checks and robustness tests. To further explore potential transmission channels, we conduct a mechanism analysis. The findings provide indicative evidence that green innovation is associated with biodiversity outcomes through carbon emission reduction and improvements in environmental governance. Overall, this study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the biodiversity implications of green innovation and offers policy-relevant insights for regions seeking to balance innovation-driven growth with ecological protection.