Green Fiscal and Financial Policies on Land-Use Coordination in China: The Roles of Energy Structure and R&D Intensity
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: China’s energy transition is changing the spatial demand for extraction, generation, and infrastructure, but the role of public support instruments in coordinating land use remains unclear. We construct a green fiscal, tax, and financial support (GFTF) index and a land-use coordination measure. The panel contains annual observations for 30 provincial-level regions in mainland China over 2005–2023. The results show the following: (1) two-way fixed-effects estimates show that GFTF is positively associated with land-use coordination. This result is stable across alternative index weights, samples, model specifications, and an instrumental-variable estimate; (2) GFTF is related to a lower coal share of energy consumption, while a higher coal share is associated with weaker land-use coordination. These estimates support partial mediation through energy structure; (3) the GFTF-by-R&D term is positive, which indicates a stronger association where R&D investment is higher; (4) regional estimates are positive and significant in eastern, central, and western China, but not in northeastern China. Both resource-based and other provinces show positive estimates. The findings provide empirical support for considering policy designs that coordinate fiscal expenditure, resource taxation, and green finance while accounting for cleaner energy use and region-specific land constraints.
Source: Energies
DOI: 10.3390/en19204935
Authors: Siqian Wang, Lei Zhuang
Institution: Nanjing Tech University
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7222963539