Carbon mitigation effect of service trade innovation: quasi-experimental evidence from China.

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the environmental impact of service trade innovation in the context of China's dual-carbon goals. Leveraging the staggered difference-in-differences combined with double/debiased machine learning strategy, we identify the causal effect of the Service Trade Innovation and Development Pilot Policy on urban carbon emissions. Results show that the policy reduced emissions by an average of 8.9%. The carbon mitigation effect is more pronounced in coastal cities, those with more developed service sectors, and non-Two Control Zones. The examination of the fundamental mechanisms identifies four primary channels: the intensified enforcement of low-carbon policies, progress in green innovation, the expansion of regional market integration, and the improvement of urban trade networ

SUBMITTER: Yu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12849063 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature