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The impact of low-carbon city pilot policy on urban green technology innovation: Based on government and public perspectives

Author

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  • Qingjie Pan
  • Shouguo Zhao

Abstract

Global climate change has caused a series of environmental problems, green technology innovation is necessitating strategic responses, but the impact of low-carbon city pilot policy on urban green technology innovation is unclear. Based on panel data from 285 Chinese cities during 2005–2022, this study employs the Difference in Difference method to examine the impact of low-carbon city policy on urban green technology innovation. The results show that (1) The low-carbon city pilot policy promotes urban green technology innovation. (2) The low-carbon city pilot policy promotes urban green technology innovation through government green input and public engagement. (3) New infrastructure enhances the impact of low-carbon city pilot policy on quantity of green technology innovation. (4) Compared with the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the low-carbon city policy has a greater influence on urban green technology innovation in the Yellow River Basin.The findings provide policy insights for the construction of low-carbon pilot cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Qingjie Pan & Shouguo Zhao, 2024. "The impact of low-carbon city pilot policy on urban green technology innovation: Based on government and public perspectives," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(7), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0306425
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306425
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Yuanchao & Yang, Yanbing & Chai, Yongdong & Liang, Tianmei & Li, Lingjun, 2025. "China's financial opening, green technical innovation and low-carbon economy," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    2. Ma, Zongguo & Ding, Chenhui & Wang, Xu & Huang, Qiaozhi, 2025. "Carbon emission reduction development, digital economy, and green transformation of China's manufacturing industry," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    3. Liu, Meiyu & Duan, Hongli & Cui, Huiru, 2025. "Policy incentives and collaborative diffusion of urban green innovation: Based on the green credit subsidy policy," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 2520-2533.
    4. Hou, Li & Xing, Baodan, 2025. "The impact of low-carbon city pilot policy on employment in China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 503-516.
    5. Zhang, Zhi Min & Yu, Chengzheng & Deng, Yang, 2025. "The Impact of Policy-Driven Carbon Emission Outsourcing: An Empirical Analysis of Green Innovation and Pollution Transfer Mechanisms," 2025 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2025, Denver, CO 360768, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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