How do green product exports affect carbon emissions? Evidence from China

Green development has become an increasingly important global initiative. Therefore, this study focuses on the impact of green product exports on carbon emissions in China. Firm-level datasets are used to estimate provincial green product exports between 2001–2016. This study estimates the impact of green exports on carbon emissions using the system generalized method of moments methodology. In addition, heterogeneity and asymmetry of the nexus are explored. The following findings are highlighted: (1) China’s green product exports show a significant upward trend during the study period; (2) increased green product exports, especially those of high-technology manufacturers, can effectively mitigate CO2 emissions; (3) the influence of green product exports on carbon emissions is regional heterogeneous but consistent across quantiles; and (4) technique and scale effects are significant mediators, whereas the composition effect is not. These findings provide new evidence supporting methods to mitigate China’s CO2 emissions by adjusting green product export structures.