Fei LIN, Liang SHEN, Yuyan WANG
This study investigates the role of carbon emissions trading (CET) in advancing regional high-quality and green development (QGD) from quality and efficiency perspectives. Firstly, theoretical analysis via an evolutionary game model formulates hypotheses. Secondly, a multi-period DID model, based on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces (2007-2020), evaluates the impact of CET pilot policies on provincial QGD. Robustness and heterogeneity analyses assess variations by region, industrial structure, and economic development. Additionally, the moderating effects of government regulation and market conditions on the CET-QGD relationship are examined. Key findings include: 1) CET significantly improves both the quality and efficiency of QGD, with a stronger impact on efficiency. 2) Geographical heterogeneity reveals CET impacts peak in eastern provinces, moderate in central regions, and diminish in the west, amplified by industrialization and economic development. 3) Indirect governmental regulations, such as environmental spending and resource taxes, strengthen CET's effectiveness, whereas direct interventions like pollution control investments may hinder green transformation, adversely impacting QGD. 4) Increased carbon trading volumes improve QGD quality, while elevated prices enhance quality but reduce efficiency by favoring short-term emissions cuts over long-term green transitions. Therefore, this study recommends addressing regional disparities, balancing regulation with market mechanisms, and ensuring a competitive, transparent national CET market.