Can Internet Development Inhibit Carbon Emission Efficiency of Industrial Sector? A New Perspective from Multiple Environmental Regulations

Baitong Li; Xinyan Yao; Yan Tang; Jian Li; Handing Guo

doi:10.5755/j01.ee.36.5.35700

Authors

Baitong Li School of Economics and Management, Tianjin Agricultural University, China
Xinyan Yao Economics and Trade School, Tianjin University of Commerce, China
Yan Tang School of Management, Tianjin University of Technology, China
Jian Li School of Management, Tianjin University of Technology, China
Handing Guo School of Civil Engineering, Sanjiang University; Research Center of Eco Livable City and Sustainable Construction Management, Tianjin Chengjian University, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.36.5.35700

Keywords:

Command-controlled environmental regulation, Market-incentive environmental regulation, Voluntary public participation environmental regulation, Internet development, Carbon emission efficiency of industrial sector, Threshold panel model

Abstract

To achieve industrial low-carbon transformation, the industrial sector is progressively adopting "smart manufacturing" and "digital transformation" strategies. This study examines whether these strategies enhance carbon emission efficiency of industrial sector (CEEI) and explores how the effects of Internet development on CEEI change under various environmental regulations. Using provincial data from China between 2011 and 2020, we investigate the influence of Internet development on CEEI under different types and intensities of environmental regulations. Our findings suggest that Internet development promotes CEEI but is influenced by various environmental regulations, including command-controlled environmental regulation (CER), market-incentive environmental regulation (MER), and voluntary public participation environmental regulation (VER). The impact of Internet development varies depending on the regulatory context, and regional differences also influence this relationship. Therefore, we recommend the implementation of diverse environmental policies that leverage Internet development to maximize CEEI improvements based on regional characteristics.

Author Biographies

Baitong Li, School of Economics and Management, Tianjin Agricultural University, China

Baitong Li is a lecture at the School of Economics and Management at Tianjin Agricultural University, China, with a research focus on circular economy and regional sustainable development.
Xinyan Yao, Economics and Trade School, Tianjin University of Commerce, China

Xinyan Yao* is a lecture at the Economics and Trade School at Tianjin University of Commerce, China, specializing in inventory management and operations performance.
Yan Tang, School of Management, Tianjin University of Technology, China

Yan Tang is a professor at the School of Management at Tianjin University of Technology, China, specializing in low-carbon industrial development and regional industrial economy.
Jian Li, School of Management, Tianjin University of Technology, China

Jian Li is a professor at the School of Management at Tianjin University of Technology, China, with expertise in circular economy and regional sustainable development.
Handing Guo, School of Civil Engineering, Sanjiang University; Research Center of Eco Livable City and Sustainable Construction Management, Tianjin Chengjian University, China

Handing Guo is a professor at the School of Civil Engineering, Sanjiang University and at the Research Center of Eco Livable City and Sustainable Construction Management, Tianjin Chengjian University, China. His research focuses on green building and sustainable construction.