Ziyuan Kexue (Mar 2024)
Comparison of the impact paths of technological innovation on carbon productivity in the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Economic Belt: Mediation effect based on digital finance
Abstract
[Objective] The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact path of technological innovation on carbon productivity, give full play to the carbon reduction and efficiency enhancement capabilities of technological innovation, and provide a reference for promoting regional high-quality development and the realization of the dual carbon goals. [Methods] Taking the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Economic Belt as research regions, this study examined the influence path of technological innovation on carbon productivity and the mediation effect of digital finance by constructing a stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence, and technology (STIRPAT) model and a mediation effect model respectively. [Results] The results show that: (1) Technological innovation of cities can improve regional carbon productivity levels, and the impact of technological innovation on carbon productivity exhibits regional heterogeneity. The impact of technological innovation on carbon productivity is stronger in the Yangtze River Economic Belt than in the Yellow River Basin. (2) Digital finance can partially mediate the impact of technological innovation on carbon productivity. Technological innovation can improve regional carbon productivity through digital finance. The mediation effect of digital finance is stronger in the Yangtze River Economic Belt than in the Yellow River Basin. (3) Improving the level of urbanization and economic development can promote the improvement of carbon productivity in the Yellow River Basin, and improving the level of urbanization and economic development and accelerating the upgrading of industrial structure can promote the improvement of carbon productivity in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. [Conclusion] This study suggests that local governments should enhance the technological innovation capabilities of cities, promote the deep integration of digital finance and traditional industries, strengthen regional industrial technology exchange and cooperation, promote the green transformation of industries in the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and ultimately achieve regional low-carbon and sustainable development.
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