Carbon emissions, import, and export: a spatial econometric analysis of the Chinese cities

The impact of import and export trade on carbon emissions (CE), which is correlated with the types of industrial sectors, is growing as globalization progresses. Additionally, trade in nearby regions has an impact on the regional CE. The spatial Durbin model was employed in this study to examine data from 282 Chinese cities between 2010 and 2016. The empirical assessments took into account the imports and exports of minerals, chemicals, metallurgical goods, plastics, machinery, and electronic items. It has been established that, in general, imports decrease local CE while exports enhance it. However, the reverse results are seen when minerals and plastics are exported and metallurgical goods are imported. Imports typically exhibit the same spatial links as direct effects, but exports exhibit the opposite. The study's findings suggest that China should increase its exports of advanced machinery, electronics, and other high-tech goods, increase its imports of clean technologies, and pay attention to the spatial spillover effects of various industrial goods in global trade for environmental governance.