Fecha de publicación: 23/12/2024 Fuente: Journal of Sustainable Development Abstract
The goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality mark a pivotal stage in China’s low-carbon development, with the transportation sector playing a critical role in driving the low-carbon economic transition. This study explores the impact mechanisms of LCTP policy on urban carbon emissions, providing a scientific basis and practical guidance for policy formulation. Specifically, we use the LCTP policy as a quasi-natural experiment and conduct an empirical analysis based on panel data from 284 cities across China between 2007 and 2019, employing the difference-in-differences (DID) method. The findings reveal that the LCTP policy significantly reduces urban carbon emissions and further promotes emission reductions by enhancing technological innovation, reducing energy intensity, and fostering the agglomeration of producer services. Moreover, the policy’s effectiveness exhibits heterogeneity based on cities’ geographic locations, sizes, and pollution levels. Importantly, the LCTP policy also demonstrates significant spatial spillover effects, reducing carbon emissions not only in the cities where it was implemented but also in neighboring regions. These findings provide theoretical insights into the complex mechanisms of low-carbon transportation policies and offer practical guidance for policymakers aiming to develop more targeted and effective strategies for sustainable urban development. Based on these results, we advocate for the nationwide expansion of low-carbon transportation policies and suggest tailoring strategies to the specific conditions of different cities to achieve more efficient carbon reduction and build a broader green transportation network.