The impact and mechanism analysis of Clean Development Mechanism on the synergistic effects of pollution mitigation and carbon reduction

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 260; p. 119659
• Main Authors: Xu, Yifei, Peng, Jiachao, Tian, Jiali, Fu, Siyu, Hu, Chang, Fu, Shuke, Feng, Yanzhen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.11.2024
• Subjects: carbon; China; Clean development mechanism; Difference-in-difference; economic development; energy efficiency; issues and policy; pollution; pollution control; Synergistic effects of pollution mitigation and carbon reduction; Synergy degree model of composite system; technology; China; Clean development mechanism; Synergistic effects of pollution mitigation and carbon reduction; Synergy degree model of composite system; Difference-in-difference
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119659

The establishment of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has greatly improved China's carbon emission trading system. However, due to the unbalanced development of CDM in China, the effects and mechanism of CDM on reducing pollution and carbon are still unclear. In order to explore the effects and mechanism of CDM on the synergistic effects of pollution mitigation and carbon reduction, we first set up a theoretical analysis framework. Utilizing panel data from 254 prefecture-level cities across China spanning from 2004 to 2021, we employ a synergy degree model of composite system to evaluate the synergistic effects of pollution mitigation and carbon reduction. By treating CDM as a quasi-natural experimental research subject, we construct a multi-period difference-in-difference model to assess the CDM projects' effects. Our findings indicate a positive association between CDM projects and the synergistic effects of pollution mitigation and carbon reduction. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that CDM projects located in the western region, areas with lower levels of economic development, non-resource cities, non-old industrial bases, and projects with Certified Emission Reductions issued exhibit the most pronounced synergistic effects. Specially, dynamic policy effect analysis shows that only non-resource cities and non-old industrial bases exhibit enhanced policy implementation regarding CDM. Mechanism analysis demonstrates that CDM primarily enhances synergistic effects through improved energy efficiency, technological innovation and energy transition. These findings enrich empirical investigations concerning market-driven emission reduction policy in China, shedding light on pivotal pathways for synergistic control of pollution mitigation and carbon reduction and offering valuable policy insights for comprehensive economic and social green transformation in China. •We used the multi-period DID model to conduct an empirical analysis of the synergistic effects of clean development mechanism on pollution reduction and carbon reduction.•CDM substantially enhances synergistic effects of pollution mitigation and carbon reduction across China.•Pronounced CDM impacts observed in western cities, low-level economic development regions, non-resource cities, non-old industrial bases, and the projects with CERs.•Greatest CDM policy effects manifest in non-resource cities and non-old industrial bases.•Energy efficiency is a pivotal factor for achieving environmental benefits through CDM.