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Impacts of high-technology product exports on climate change mitigation in Belt and Road countries: the mediating role of renewable energy source and human capital accumulation

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Listed:
  • Miao Han

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Yan Zhou

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Taryn Mendonca

    (The Ministry of Agriculture)

Abstract

International trade plays an important role in promoting economic growth, but at the same time, it generates carbon leakage problems that pose challenges for global climate change mitigation. With the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative for high-quality development, the issue of trade and environmental imbalance has become a growing concern for countries along the route. However, research on the impact of high-technology product exports on achieving climate change mitigation goals remains inadequate. The main aim of this study is to identify a mechanism by which increasing high-technology product exports helps in mitigating climate change. Among a sample of 50 countries along the Belt and Road observed over the period 2005–2019, this study employs multiple mediating structural equation modeling to analyze the impact of high-technology product exports on CO2 emissions. The results show a direct and negative relationship between high-technology product exports and CO2 emissions ( $$\beta$$ β = − 0.195, p

Suggested Citation

  • Miao Han & Yan Zhou & Taryn Mendonca, 2024. "Impacts of high-technology product exports on climate change mitigation in Belt and Road countries: the mediating role of renewable energy source and human capital accumulation," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 1939-1964, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10668-022-02792-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02792-8
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