Environmental decentralization and carbon emissions: evidence from China

A robust environmental management system holds great significance for the Chinese government in effectively managing the country’s carbon emissions. This study delves into the spatial impact of environmental decentralization on the carbon emissions of 30 Chinese provinces spanning from 2000 to 2019. First, we found that the increase in environmental decentralization promotes carbon emissions, and this effect is primarily driven by the delegation of environmental monitoring authority and environmental supervision authority. Second, we analyzed the heterogeneity of the carbon emission effects of environmental decentralization across different regions and observed that the impact of environmental decentralization is more significant in the western region compared to the central and eastern regions. Furthermore, this study investigates how the industrial structure, government competition, and environmental regulation exert an influence on the carbon emission effects of environmental decentralization. This article presents empirical evidence from the perspective of environmental management systems that underscores the rapid escalation of carbon emissions. Additionally, it contributes to an enhanced comprehension of the economic ramifications linked to the process of environmental decentralization. At the same time, the conclusions of this article have significant practical implications for the rational design of levels of environmental decentralization, thereby accelerating the achievement of carbon neutrality.