Spatial impact mechanism of Chinese technology diffusion on CO2 emissions in the countries along the Belt and Road Initiative

International climate and green technology cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) have attracted significant attention, which led to several studies exploring B&R carbon emissions from the perspective of driving factors. While existing studies fail to consider the diversification of China's technology spillovers, the stochastic impacts by the STIRPAT and GWTR models are integrated in this study to determine the spatial impacts of three types of international technology spillovers (i.e., foreign direct investment (FDI), imports, and migrants) on the carbon emissions of B&R countries through independent innovations and technology following during 2003-2018. China's FDI and migration technology spillovers will increase B&R countries' CO2 emissions through independent R&D and technology following, while imported technology spillovers will decrease B&R countries' carbon emissions through the same means. Therefore, this study shows that China's three technology spillovers show spatial differences in the CO2 emissions of B&R countries. In short, government departments should formulate low-carbon technology policies according to the technology impact path and regional characteristics.

Automated summary

This study examines the carbon emissions of Belt and Road countries and their relationship with China's technology spillovers. Using the STIRPAT and GWTR models, the study finds that China's foreign direct investment and migration technology spillovers increase carbon emissions in Belt and Road countries, while imported technology spillovers decrease carbon emissions. Therefore, government policies on low-carbon technology should take into account regional characteristics and the impact of technology.