Research on the Effects of Carbon Emissions from China’s Technology Transfer: Domestic and International Perspectives

Technology transfer represents a critical avenue for addressing the challenges associated with carbon emission reduction, warranting thorough investigation into the effects of both domestic and international technology transfer on carbon emissions. This study employs data mining techniques to extract comprehensive data on patent transfers across 334 prefecture-level cities in China from 2000 to 2021, analyzing the influence of technology transfer on carbon emissions from both domestic and international perspectives. The findings indicate that domestic technology transfer and international technology transfer significantly contribute to carbon emission reduction, with international technology transfer exerting a more substantial effect than its domestic counterpart. To mitigate endogeneity concerns, the study utilizes the shortest distance from each city to the telegraph lines established during the late Qing Dynasty as an instrumental variable and the resulting conclusions remain robust. Heterogeneity tests reveal significant regional disparities, particularly in areas located southeast and northwest of the Hu Huanyong line, as well as between regions inside and outside the five major urban agglomerations. The mechanisms underlying carbon reduction suggest that improvements in energy efficiency and upgrades in industrial structure serve as the primary pathways for carbon emission reductions resulting from both domestic and foreign technology transfers. These conclusions provide a theoretical foundation and empirical insights to facilitate the acceleration of technology flow within the context of high-quality development, particularly concerning environmental protection.