Research on the Role of Marine Ranching Construction in Enhancing Market-Oriented Energy-Saving and Emission-Reduction Potential: Experience from China’s Coastal Cities

The aim of this study is to explore how marine ranching construction enhances the market-oriented potential for energy conservation and emission reduction in China’s coastal cities, and its motivation is to assess the role of marine ranching in promoting sustainable development and environmental protection in these urban areas. With a sample of 53 coastal cities, including experimental-group cities designated as national marine-ranching demonstration zones and a control group of other coastal cities, this research employs theoretical pathway analysis and a quasi-natural experiment design. The findings reveal that marine ranching notably improves both the green innovation capability and industrial upgrading in coastal cities, ultimately stimulating their market-oriented emission-reduction potential. Importantly, extreme weather conditions are found to disrupt the positive impact of marine ranching on the emission-reduction potential in coastal cities, while financial stability ensures its sustained beneficial effects. This study underscores the crucial role of marine ranching in promoting sustainable development and emission reduction in China’s coastal urban areas, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate challenges and maintaining financial stability.