How local officials moderate the spatial impact of politically and economically driven environmental regulations on green economic efficiency

Bibliographic Data

ID6455231
AuthorsYifan Wang (0009-0007-5213-785X, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, corresponding author), Bing Wang (0000-0001-5106-6681, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume11
Pages101597-101597
Publication date2025-12-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSustainable Futures (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2666-1888
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101597
OpenAlexW7114785852
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited45

This study integrates policy instrument theory and political tournament theory to develop a comprehensive analytical framework. Using panel data from 30 Chinese provinces during 2005–2020, it employs a fixed-effects model, a spatial Durbin model, and a moderating-effect model to systematically examine the spatial impacts of politically driven and economically driven environmental regulations on green economic efficiency (GEE), while further exploring the moderating influence of local government officials’ characteristics.Empirical results show that politically driven environmental regulation exerts significant negative effects both locally and across neighboring regions, thereby constraining improvements in green economic efficiency. In contrast, economically driven regulation demonstrates significant positive spatial effects at both levels, promoting coordinated improvements in regional green economic performance. Further analysis indicates that the characteristics of local chief officials—specifically age, educational attainment, and tenure—exert significant moderating effects on these spatial relationships. Higher official age weakens the adverse effects of political regulation while reinforcing the positive effects of economic regulation; higher education levels mitigate the negative impact of political regulation and enhance the effectiveness of economic regulation; and longer tenure reduces the inhibitory effect of political regulation while amplifying the motivational impact of economic regulation.This study offers a novel theoretical perspective on how environmental regulations shape green economic efficiency through spatial and behavioral mechanisms. It also provides policy insights for strengthening local governments’ green governance capacities and promoting China’s high-quality green transformation.

Economic impact analysis · Environmental impact assessment · Environmental regulation · Government (linguistics · Local government · Panel data · Politics · Spatial analysis · Spatial planning · Sustainability · Energy, Environment, Economic Growth · Environmental Sustainability in Business · Regulation and Compliance Studies · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance

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