Foreign direct investment, environmental regulation and urban green development efficiency-An empirical study from China

This study investigates the existence of the pollution halo hypothesis in China. To realize the goals, an urban green development efficiency measuring framework was established applying SBM directional distance function and Malmquist-Luenberger index. Using linear panel model and nonlinear panel model and data of 284 cities in China from 2008 to 2019, we have found that the pollution halo hypothesis does exist in China because FDI increases urban green development efficiency. The mechanism analysis of introducing environmental regulation indicates that the impact of FDI on urban green development efficiency presents a 'U-shaped' feature. The implementation of strict environmental regulation can significantly increase the positive impact of FDI on the urban green development efficiency. In addition, the analysis of regional heterogeneity has shown that when the environmental regulation intensity exceeds the turning point, FDI in eastern and central China plays a significant positive role in urban green development efficiency, while that in western China is inhibitory effect. Our empirical results have suggested the Chinese government should further utilize the positive role of FDI in urban green development, including gradually and orderly implementing strict environmental protection regulatory policies, and implementing green energy conservation transformation projects for energy intensive industries.